Paris is a beautiful city with so much history that it's easy to get lost in it. Paris offers shopping, sightseeing, dining, music, and more options to tourists. The Louvre Museum of Paris is among the largest in the world, with more than 40,000 works of art!
However, if you are visiting Paris for the first time, it can be overwhelming to explore the city properly without some guidance. Keep reading this article to find out the best tourist places to visit in Paris.
Currency in Paris: The official currency of Paris is Euro. One Euro equals to 87.99 Indian Rupees as of 1st March 2023*.
*Currency rates change are subject to the market exchange rate.
Everybody knows that the Eiffel Tower is in Paris and is their dream destination. Here are some of the tourist places in Paris that you cannot miss:
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris and was once the tallest building in the world. It was built for the 1889 World's Fair, and at 1,063 feet high, it is still one of the city's most popular attractions. It's a great place to see the city from above.
The Arc de Triomphe is located on the Champs Elysees, just across from the Louvre Museum. It's an enormous archway built by French architect Jean Chalgrin that honours those who died fighting for France during the Napoleonic Wars. It has become a symbol of France and Parisian culture over time and can be seen throughout the city on posters, calendars, and other souvenirs.
If you are planning to explore vintage Paris, give the Latin Quarter a try during your visit. The Romans settled here in the 1st century. You can find traces of mediaeval times while taking strolls here, with narrow streets and vintage buildings. Moreover, you can witness famous sites like the tombs of French heroes, Lady and the Unicorn tapestries and Boulevard Saint Germain.
Flowing across Central Paris, the Seine River is one of the most popular tourist destinations here. There are multiple ways to enjoy the beauty of this river. One of the most popular ones is to cruise on a tour boat to witness some of the most stunning buildings and architecture of Paris on the banks. You can also take walks along the banks or across the bridges.
It is a spacious public square in Paris, attracting tourists with its architectural brilliance. King Henri IV constructed it around 1612, and it shows an influence of the Renaissance architectural style. It features multiple red-brick houses with stone quoins and pitched slate roofs. It organises festivals and occasions like state receptions, tournaments, and court weddings throughout the year.
Jules Hardouin-Mansart, a famous French architect, constructed this stunning square in the 17th century. Initially, it aimed to house royal establishments, but later it was used to build mansions with courtyards and gardens. The designs of these mansions combine regal ostentation with a ‘90s influence. The highlights include jewellery boutiques and the Ritz Hotel.
This mediaeval fortress built during the French Revolution can be a good destination for those who are interested in exploring the city's history. It features the remains of the Palais de la Cité, which used to be the residence of French Kings during the 14th century. Salle des Gardes gives a glimpse of the prison, while Salle des Gens d'Armes is a Gothic Hall used as a forbidden room for the prisoners.
It is one of the most stunning monumental boulevards in Paris, attracting tourists throughout the year. Previously, it used to be a desolate field of marshland before André Le Nôtre prepared its landscape in the 17th century. Here, you will find a Place de la Concorde, a spacious park, and Petit Palais, a fine arts museum. Moreover, it is filled with luxury shops, theatres, restaurants, etc.
The churches of Paris are exceptionally beautiful; they are full of intricate carvings and paintings. We have listed the most popular churches in Paris for you:
Notre Dame Cathedral is an ancient cathedral built in the 13th century. It contains many beautiful stained glass windows and a unique bell tower that rises above all other buildings in Paris. The cathedral is also famous for its gargoyles all over the building. You can take a free walking tour of Notre Dame with your private guide or join one of the guided tours.
Sainte-Chapelle is a Roman Catholic chapel located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. It is considered one of the best achievements of Gothic architecture. The chapel's decoration reflects the works of French sculptors of the period, who brought in a new level of realism. It came to be known as 'the cathedral of light' due to its stained glass windows.
If you want to visit one of the most iconic parts of Paris, then Montmartre is a great place to start. The area is home to the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur and the Moulin Rouge, and it's also where you'll find Le Moulin de la Galette. The traditional centre of Montmartre is the Place du Tertre, a square with a fountain, where you can find many cafés and bars.
King Louis XV commissioned the construction of this church in 1756. The architecture of this church represents a simple Neoclassical style. It has a burial ground with burials of famous personalities like Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, and René Descartes. It has evolved as the national mausoleum of some of the most famous citizens of France, which attracts tourist attention.
The famous gardens of Paris are not commonplace, they are royal and historic. We highly recommend that you add these Parisian gardens to your itinerary:
The Palace of Versailles is one of France's top tourist destinations, with many acres of gardens and stately rooms filled with paintings and furniture dating back hundreds of years. The palace was once home to French kings but now only remains as a symbol of royal power in France today.
The Luxembourg Garden is the largest public park in Paris, located on the Île de la Cité and bound by the Seine river. It was commissioned by Napoleon III. The garden features lawns, flowerbeds, trees, and sculptures. It also provides a grand entrance to the Louvre Museum and hosts many concerts and events throughout the year.
It is a stunning 25-hectare hilltop park featuring a pastoral landscape. Tourists are attracted to the spacious grassy area and large shady trees surrounding the park. Moreover, it features eye-catching waterfalls, caves and an artificial lake. You can also visit the Rosa Bonheur café here, which arranges musical performances in the evening.
The rich cultural history of Paris and its country is best preserved in its museums. The best handiworks of French artists are preserved in these museums:
The Louvre Museum houses an estimated 40,000 works of art, including many famous works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, and Picasso. This one-of-a-kind museum also houses sculptures and artefacts from ancient Egypt and Renaissance period in Europe right up to modern-day Japan.
The Centre Pompidou is one of the world's most famous modern art museums, designed by Renzo Piano. It displays several permanent collections of modern art, including works by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, and Van Gogh. The museum can be accessed by metro or bus lines 1 or 11 from any station in Paris.
This museum has a collection of works by Auguste Rodin. You can see his famous sculptures, such as The Thinker and The Kiss. This museum is located in the Montmartre neighbourhood of Paris, and it displays works by not only Auguste Rodin but also other artists like Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, and Balzac.
Louis XIV established Hôtel National des in the 17th century with the aim of providing medical care to the military. It has now turned into a popular tourist spot. Here, you can find the church Eglise du Dôme des Invalides, built in a French classical-style ecclesiastical architecture. The museum Musée de l'Armée stores a large collection of French military, while the Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération focuses on the Second World War.
If you wish to enjoy fun activities or entertaining shows, you can visit the following destinations in Paris:
Mainly known for being the spiritual birthplace of the famous French Cancan, Moulin Rouge has evolved as a popular cabaret in Paris. Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler built it in 1889 at the foothills of Montmartre. The style and entertainment facilities are similar to the nightclubs of Las Vegas. It offers great nightlife to tourists.
If you are visiting Paris with kids, visiting Disneyland should be on your bucket list. Located in Central Paris, it is a great destination for multiple fun-filled activities and entertainment. The highlights include the Disneyland theme park with Sleeping Beauty's castle and the Walt Disney Studios. The Big Thunder Mountain is again popular among the kids.
Also known as Opéra National de Paris, Palais Garnier is an Opera House that Charles Garnier built in 1862-1875. It is considered as Napoleon's Imperial regime. Apart from the 11,000-square-metre interior, you can spot multiple allegorical figures representing poetry, music, song, dance, etc. The Chagall ceiling painting further adds to its beauty.
King Louis XV constructed this square in the 18th century, which was also a part of Napoleon's triumphal route. Moreover, it is a historical site for initiating famous executions. Some highlights include an Egyptian obelisk and a ferri’s wheel. You can also spot the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe from here.
It is considered a welcome retreat, situated opposite Louvre Museum. Here, you can witness classical French architecture with a stunning garden and courtyard. Moreover, it includes multiple high-end boutiques, restaurants and galleries to keep you entertained. You can also catch French plays at Théâtre du Palais-Royal and La Comédie-Française.
Sprawling over 55 acres, Parc de La Villette is one of the largest and most attractive landscapes in Paris. It offers multiple activities for visitors. Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie is a scientific museum for kids. La Géode IMAX theatre and Zénith Paris - La Villette concert hall are also great for attracting tourists. The Villette Sonique festival is also popular among tourists.
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