Paris is a city filled with timeless beauty, vibrant culture, and must-see attractions. There is surely something for everyone in the City of Love. From renowned art museums and historic monuments, to charming neighborhoods and dazzling entertainment venues. If you’re planning a trip to the French capital, here’s a list of our top 7 Paris iconic landmarks that capture the magic of this unforgettable city.
Paris’s most iconic landmark and possibly one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, after his company designed and built it from 1887-1889. The Eiffel Tower is 324 meters above the city. It was the first structure in the world to surpass the 200 and 300 meter mark in height.
The tower was built for the 1889 World’s Fair, and to crown the centennial anniversary of the French Revolution. It has three levels for visitors. The climb from the ground to the first level is over 300 steps, and offers stunning views of the city. The tower is particularly magical at night, when it sparkles for 5 minutes every hour.
Our tips:
Visit early or book in advance to skip long queues. Even though the second floor offers great views, the top level is worth it for a complete panorama of Paris. We suggest doing a river cruise on the Seine or visiting streets such as Avenue de Camoëns, famous for its big stairs to get picturesque views of the Eiffel Tower.
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum. It is home to thousands of masterpieces including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milano. The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace originally built in the 13th century under Philip II. It contains approximately 500,000 objects and displays 35,000 works of art.
It is the most visited museum in the world ahead of the Vatican Museums. The museum is located in the heart of Paris along the river Seine. It was transformed from a royal palace to a public museum in 1793 during the French Revolution.
Our tips:
Due to the vast collection and several rooms, we suggest to use a map or download their app to ensure not to miss out on anything. Moreover, it can get extremely crowded, so make your visit early or late in the evening to avoid peaks.
Furthermore, there are many ‘secret’ entrances you can take to skip queues. For example metro line 1 or 7 of the Subway lets you enter the Loop from underground. Buying tickets online is also ideal to skip on unnecessary hassle-Official tickets website
One of the city’s most famous Gothic landmarks. It is known for its towering spires, intricate stone carvings and stunning stained glass windows. Construction on the Cathedral began in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was completed by 1260. During the French Revolution, the Cathedral suffered extensive damage, with much of its religious imagery destroyed.
In the early 21st Century, around 12 million people visited the Notre Dame annually. This made it the most visited monument in Paris. The Cathedral has been closed to the public since the fire that spread on the 15th April 2019. It will re-open its doors on December 7th of this year (2024).
Our tips:
We suggest visiting at night to see the exterior lit up and to be able to take in the atmosphere of the Seine river. Passing by is free however, with the new renovations, it is likely for there to be an entrance fee of around €5 per person. Although this has not yet been made official. We suggest to visit their website in order to keep updated with the latest information before visiting.
One of the most famous monuments in France. It is located at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle. It honors the people who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars.
It includes the names of all French victories and generals which are inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault, lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. An eternal flame burns in memory of the dead who were never identified. It was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806, at the peak of his fortunes. The Arc de Triomphe offers panoramic views over the whole city.
Our tips:
For one of the best and most stunning views of Paris, we suggest that you climb to the top. This will enable you to experience a picturesque view of iconic landmarks of Paris such as the Eiffel Tower.
The price is quite reasonable, around €13 for adults and free for EU citizens under 26 years old. We suggest looking at their website and purchasing tickets in advance to make your visit more enjoyable-Welcome to the Arc de triomphe
This museum is housed in the former Gare d’Orsay. It was a beautiful railway station built between 1898 and 1900. Inside one can find one of the best collections of Impressionist art in the world. The museum mainly holds French art dating from 1848-1914. There is a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture and photography.
There, you can admire works by Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, and other masters. The museum itself is an architectural marvel with its grand clock and natural light. It boasts over 140,000 extremely varied works of art. This museum is a definite must visit in Paris.
Our tips:
It is ideal to visit on Thursdays evenings for extended hours and a more quiet experience. Tickets for adults are €16 per person, however it is free on the first Sunday of the month and for European students under 26 years old. Some people say, that the works of arts found inside the Musee d’Orsay, are better than those found The Louvre. Moreover, ticket prices are also less expensive than those of the Louvre-Musée d’Orsay
Montmartre is an authentic bohemian village in the heart of Paris. It is famous for its vibrant cafes, local artists and winding streets. Montmartre is primarily known for a diverse mixture of things. To start with, it is famous for its artistic history, inspiring many icons such as Picasso, Van Gogh and many others today. It is also popular for the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur on its summit. Throughout the years, it has become more and more touristic. One can find many shops such as souvenir shops, restaurants, bars and much more.
Our tips:
Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds at the Sacré-Cœur. We highly recommend going around sunrise or sunset. Visiting around is free, and even going inside the Sacré-Cœur is free. However, a small fee applies if you want to climb the dome. We definitely suggest that you visit, even just to buy some cute souvenirs to take home with you as memories.
Galeries La Fayette is a luxurious shopping mall in the center of Paris. This amazing department store is famous for its breathtaking glass dome, which adds an elegant luxurious touch to the shopping experience.
It all started in 1894, when Théophile Bader and his cousin opener a fashion store at the corner of Rue La Fayette. As they gradually purchased more buildings around that area, they managed to acquire the whole block. In October 1912 the Galeries opened for the public, and it has flourished ever since.
Our tips:
We suggest that you visit even if you don’t plan to do any shopping. The brands found inside are luxurious ones and can be a bit out of budget. However, we still suggest that you go and do some window shopping, or splurge on something you have been wanting. Make sure you head to the rooftop for free. Like this you can experience sweeping views of Paris, even of the Eiffel Tower.
We especially suggest that you visit around a holiday such as Christmas where everything is beautifully lighten up with amazing decorations that makes you feel like in a fairytale.
Paris is the city that leaves an ever lasting impression on every person that visits. Each attraction on this list tells its own story, from the historic Arc de Triomphe to the enchanting halls of the Louvre. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or not, these Paris iconic landmarks capture the heart and charm of French culture. Don’t forget to check out other posts on more amazing cities such as La Rochelle, Nantes and Florence. Remember to let us know what you would like to see next.
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