Paris - Do & See
- Nearby guides:
- Reims
- Tours
- Deauville
- Brussels
- Poitiers
- Mechelen
- Leuven
- Antwerp
- Clermont - Ferrand
- Limoges
- Other guides in France:
- Clermont - Ferrand
- Deauville
- Grenoble
- La Rochelle
- Les Deux Alpes
- Limoges
- Marseille
- Montpellier
- Nantes
- Nîmes
- More
Paris’ beautiful location right by the peaceful and romantic river Seine makes for a perfect setting whether your plan is to stroll around without haste or see as many attractions as possible. Over 30 million tourists come to Paris each year, drawn by the mouth watering cuisine and of course, the exciting fashion. No wonder the capital of France is one of the most visited cities in the world!
La Tour Eiffel
This iron tower is the very symbol of Paris itself, and it attracts about six million visitors every year. The tower was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World Exposition to celebrate the centennial of the French revolution.
Fun facts about the Eiffel tower:
Height: more than 300 metres
Weight: 10 100 tons
Materials: 12 000 iron beams and 2.5 million rivets
Steps: 1 665 steps to the top
According to the official website of the Eiffel Tower the construction is repainted once every seven years. It takes 15 months and requires 60 tons of paint.
Le Louvre
The Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world, and famous for its master pieces Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, art by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Caravaggio and many more. The main entrance is covered by the 21 meter high glass Pyramide de Louvre. The French government has collected the 35 000 paintings, sculptures and artefacts over the past five centuries, and the collection boasts Assyrian, Etruscan, Greek, Coptic and Islamic art and antiquities from prehistory to the 19th century.
You can buy tickets in advance from the ticket machines in Carrousel du Louvre or from the billetteries (ticket offices) of Fnac or Virgin Megastores for an extra €1 to €1.60, and go straight in without waiting in line. Tickets are valid for the whole day, which means that you can come and go as you please.
Another way to avoid the queues outside the pyramid or at the Porte des Lions entrance is to enter the complex via the Carrousel du Louvre shopping centre, at 99 Rue de Rivoli, or to follow the ‘Musée du Louvre’ exit from the Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre metro station.
Champs-Élysées
This promenade is nearly two kilometres long and goes all the way from Place the la Concorde to Place Charles de Gaulle. It is the place to be during any celebration, be it the French National Day, July 14th, or New Year’s Eve. In the month of July, the final stages of Tour de France, takes place right on this very street.
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur
Sacré-Cœur is a Roman Catholic basilica on top of the Montmartre hill, at the highest point of the city. The church was inaugurated in 1914 and is named after, and dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The church contains more than 500 statues and the venue is often pictured in movies.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe was erected by the Emperor Napoleon in 1806, and is with its 50 metres (164 feet) one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. Located at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle at the western end of Champs-Élysées, the arch honours those who fought and died in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars.
La Seine
The river Seine flows 776 kilometres through France, and offers in Paris a great opportunity to, by boat, get familiar with many of the city’s impressive monuments. It doesn’t get more romantic than to sit back on the water and enjoy the scenic setting of Paris.
Catch a ride on the famous and unique long-boats leisurely plying the Seine Bateaux Mouches. Despite the number of operators from which to choose, most of the boat lines offer similar itineraries and are equipped with an audio announcement system, providing commentary on the passing sights in several different languages.
Château de Versailles
This town located 20 kilometres outside of Paris is a wealthy suburb and municipality. In the 11th century Versailles was merely a country village enveloping a castle and the church of Saint-Julien. Today Versailles is mostly known for the Roman Catholic cathedral that has been home to the French King Louis XIV and Napoleon who spent his summers here. The historic Treaty of Versailles was signed here in 1919.
Notre-Dame de Paris
Notre-Dame is, with 10 million visitors each year, the most visited site in Paris. This place has always been the religious center of the city the Celts considered the grounds sacred, the Romans built a temple here, a Christian basilica was built here and the last religious structure before the Notre-Dame cathedral was a Romanesque church.
The gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame was finished in 1345 and is a tectonic masterpiece. The building is 128 meters long (420 ft) and has two 69 meter tall towers (226 ft).
Pont Neuf
Pont Neuf means "New Bridge" and is, ironically, the oldest bridge over the river Seine in Paris. King Henry III ordered its construction in 1578 after the previous bridge was in a bad state. It is today 278 meters long and 28 meters wide.
Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde is a square in the 8th arrondissement, 84 000 m² big. The square holds historic importance for several reasons. The liberation struggle during World War II brought many battles to Place de la Concorde. During the French Revolution, a guillotine was installed at the center of the square and over a thousand people were beheaded here, many of them famous Louis XVI, January 21, 1793, Marie Antoinette, October 16, 1793 and revolutionary Robespierre, just to name a few.
The site is dominated by a 24 meter high obelisk one of Cleopatra’s needles - a gift from Egypt’s viceroy Mohammed Ali to Louis Philippe.
Montmartre
One of the most popular historic areas with the Sacré-Cœur Basilica on the top of the 130 meter high hill, the highest point in Paris. It’s famous for the cafés and studios of many great artists, and it’s easily recognizable as the filming location of the movie "Amélie." Other famous places situated here are Moulin Rouge nightclub and Lapin Agile. It seems the inspiration flows in these streets as many famous artists have worked here, among them Salvador Dali, Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. Downhill to the southwest, is the red-light district of Pigalle.
Père Lachaise
The largest cemetery in Paris and reputed to be the most visited in the world. A huge and peaceful park and home to many Frenchmen and foreigners who have enriched French life over the past 200 years Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Camille Pissarro, Marcel Proust, Molière, Max Ernst, Maria Callas and Jim Morrison.
Jardin du Luxembourg
The garden of the French Senate is also the second largest public park in Paris. A recommended place to relax and savour the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the rich palace garden. Here is one of the funniest places to people watch you can find all different types: families, students with their philosophy books, runners, politicians out on a walk, chess players and lovers holding hands.
Musée d’Orsay
This is the place for art and artifacts from the Middle Ages and Impressionist eras with leading collections. Originally a railway station, the building itself deems a visit. You can see works of art here from artists such as Van Gogh, Cezanne, Degas and Monet.
Musée des Arts d´Afrique et d´Océanie
Not as popular as Orsay or Louvre, yet worth a visit. A mix of world-class exhibitions of African and Pacific art. There is an excellent tropical aquarium in the cellar.
Le Marais
Le Marais is situated on the right bank (3rd and 4th Arr.), this is a trendy district with beautiful architecture from the 17th century. There are also many museums, art galleries and historic sites such as Paris’ oldest square Place des Vosges where you can find Victor Hugo’s residence.
