Must See Tourist Attractions of Paris

Ah Paris, the Lover’s City and a beautiful collection of architectural masterpieces. Paris, France is a must visit for any budding travelers and a favorite amongst veteran vagabonds. If it’s your first time or one hundredth, there are certain Parisian attractions that have to be seen.   Gathered from conversations I’ve had with friends and fellow trekkers, here is a list of five must see tourist attractions in or around Paris.

Eiffel Tower

What would a trip to grand Paris be without spending a morning gazing up at the Eiffel Tower while sipping on some strong coffee at a quaint little café? I’ll tell you, it wouldn’t be Paris. The Eiffel tower signifies Paris to most people and it’s seen as the city’s most iconic attraction.

The Eiffel tower was built for the 1889 World Expo and was designed to be an epic entrance to the event. The tower remained the tallest man made structure for 40 years so it has been a huge draw for tourism since its erection.

The Eiffel Tower is a must see tourist attraction because of its iconic status and impressive size and stature. Everywhere you go in Paris the tower can be seen and it is so intertwined in Parisian culture.

Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame, the cathedral that started a revolution of design and has been the religious center for Paris since its construction in 1163.   The New Gothic style was replicated all over Europe and the buildings aesthetics were often imitated yet never repeated. The beauty and attention to detail involved in the construction of Notre Dame are incredible and must be seen on person to appreciate. It may not be the largest cathedral in the city but is by far the most famous. It’s an eight-century-old building but the renovations were so well done that the building looks like a new build.

Notre Dame is on the must see list because it’s the church that populated the New Gothic style and is the supermodel of churches.

Arc de Triomphe

The history behind this attraction is so ingrained in the heart and soul of Paris it is a must see for so many reasons. The arc was commissioned by Napoleon to memorialize his many war victories. Although the arc was finished after Napoleon was exiled from the country he loved, the symbolism remained intact. The Arc de Triomphe is a patriotic symbol of pride more many Parisians and is the center of the city.  

A must see and often overlooked portion of the monument is the observation deck on the roof of the arc. Warning, there is no elevator and to reach the top, one must tackle 200 plus steps. I’ll guarantee that once you see the view from the top of the arc de Triomphe, you’ll fall in love with Paris all over again.

The Louvre

A trip to Paris isn’t complete without seeing possibly the most iconic painting in the world, the Mona Lisa. The Louvre is an enormous museum and cultural center of the city. Created as a place for King Francs I to store his massive art collection, the museum now boasts over 1 million pieces of art. That’s a lot of class and culture you can earn in a short time.  You will see artistic masterpieces like the Venus de Milo and Dying Slave by Michelangelo.

The newest edition is the Louvre’s glass pyramid, built in 1989 by I.M Pei. which serves as a grand entryway for the museum.

The Louvre is a must see just for the pure brilliance that it contains.

Palace of Versailles

This is a short drive outside of the city but well worth the journey. Originally the home of King Louis 13 who built outside the city because didn’t trust Parisians. The enormous home has one of the most magnificent gardens in the world. The 250-acre garden features geometric shapes cut into foliage and many ostentatious fountains.

Once you see this magical place, you’ll understand why the Palace of Versailles is a must see tourist attraction in Paris.

Enjoy the most romantic city in the world; hopefully you fall in love with old Paris just like me.