Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Paris

1. The Louve

Located centrally in Paris The Louvre is one of the largest museum and historic monument, visited by more than 8million people per year it is the world’s most visited museum.  

Established in 1793 The Louvre hold some of the most famous painting and art pieces in the world, including the very famous Mona Lisa which gathers quite a crowd. The Louvre is a must see for any Paris tourist, even if you’re not into art, paying a visit to simple just see the architecture of the outer pyramid shape is a must.

The Louvre is free to those under 18 years of age (plus others that fit under certain categories- check the website for details) and for full day access to The Louvre it is around 12Euros per adult.  There is no need for pre-booking tickets as getting into the museum as it is pretty fast and easy.

2. Eiffel Tower

No trip to Paris is complete until you’ve been up to the third floor of the Eiffel Tower and seen it light up the city at night. Opened March 31st 1889 millions of visitors are attracted to Paris’ most iconic attraction year round. Standing 324 metres high it attract many people due to its unique structure and seasonal events such as; every winter the Eiffel Tower hosts an ice skating ring on the first floor. You can dine at one of the two restaurants located in the Eiffel Tower one of the first and one on the second floor.

Before visiting the Eiffel Tower buying tickets online can be very useful so you can skip the crowded queues that assemble below the tower itself and especially can be very crowded in summer and winter; you can buy your tickets and book your times on the Eiffel Tower website. It’s important to get the views of the city from the Eiffel Tower at both in the day light and night, so with only taking one trip going up just before dusk you will get the day views going up and the night views seeing the city all covered with light on your way down!

3. Arc de Triomphe

Located on the Champs-Élysées the Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous Paris monuments, standing 50 metres high the Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for France in the Napoleonic Wars and in the French Revolutionary. Opened on July 29th 1836 it has since been visited by millions of visitors year round, with children and students up to 17 entering for free. The top of the Arc de Triomphe can be accessed by climbing the 50 stairs that lead up to the top where then you can see the many views of Paris.

Being located on the most famous avenue in Paris the monument itself can be very hard to access with the chaotic traffic surrounding it so you have to wait for the best time to cross the roads. While visiting the Arc walking the Champs-Élysées is a must! You can shop in some of Paris’ most luxury stores or maybe see a movie and get a spot of lunch in one of the many cafés! Though pre-booking tickets is not needed as up to 17 is free choosing the right time of day can be a struggle as in the day light many things can be seen that will just be lights at night even though the city looks beautiful lit up, like the Eiffel tower it is recommended to travel up at dusk then getting a view of both day and night; while not forgetting to be there at 6:30pm when the ‘Eternal Flame’ is lit every evening!

4. The Notre-Dame Cathedral

The Notre-Dame Cathedral is the most cultural and religiously visited place in Paris, standing up to 226ft high it is among one of the largest and well known church building in the world visited by millions annually. The cathedral holds many services and masses including the Christmas Eve mass which is one of the most popular activities while in Paris around Christmas.

The Notre-Dame is free to enter to all the public however the cathedral towers and treasury have an entrance fee.  Leading up to the south tower of the cathedral there are 387 steps in which you will climb if you are interested in going up it as no elevators have been added so the Church would remain intact. Pre-booking tickets is not needed. Getting in to the cathedral is pretty fast and simple however they may be a small wait around busy seasons such as Christmas and summer so check opening times before you go and have a back-up plan if it’s too busy, there is always something else to do around, including many cafés and restaurants too!

5. Pont Des Arts

Finally, the Pont Des Arts; though not normally on many Paris tourists itinerary, it should be! The beautiful pedestrian arch bridge that crosses The Seine River is a must see, the 155metre long bridge is covered with padlocks along either side of the steel netting, this is because those who love another can put a padlock on the bridge and there it will remain, it is a symbol of people’s love for one another.

Many tourist couples engrave their names into the padlock before locking it onto the bridge and then taken to throwing their keys into the river Seine down below as a romantic gesture to one another however now police are known to patrol the bride stopping those who want to do so. The bridge is seen in many .T.V. and movie appearances and is also the location of some art exhibitions year round. The bridge is for pedestrian use so there is no entrance fee and can be crowded but usually moves fast.

Bon voyage!

By Laura R Murgatroyd