Paris is one of the most romantic places that you can visit. If you are looking for a destination in Europe, this city in France should be on your list. With the rich culture, modern, yet grounded lifestyle, Paris offers you with several Paris tourist attractions that you can visit.
What to see in Paris? Most of the tourist attractions in the city are the great architectural designs that are seen in buildings and major infrastructures. Also, there are a lot of things to consider when you are looking for what to do in Paris. Being the capital city of France, it offers you with great ways to enjoy your vacation.
Here are the top places to visit in Paris:
Eiffel Tower
Probably the first thing that goes to your mind when you think of Paris is the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is the main symbol of the city. It was built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel as part of the World exhibition. The Eiffel Tower was not intended to stay on the city, but generations commended it until it became a landmark in the city. Most tourists visit the tower so you might as well arrive early to avoid long lines.
Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Tiomphe is the largest triumphal arch in the globe. It is 164 meters high and it was built by Napoleon in 1806 to serve as the sign for his victory. The arch was only completed under the reign of Louis-Philippe in 1836.
La Conciergerie
This place was once a part of the Royal Palace. During the 14th century, La Conciergerie became a prison. During the 18th century, it also became a prison for over 4000 people during the French Revolution. The prisoners included Marie-Antoinette, Danton, and Robespierre. The name of the building came from the superintendent of the palace who was in charge of gathering taxes and renting out shops.
Musee d’Orsay
Musee d’Orsay served as a train station until 1960’s. Today, it is a museum that devotes to the years 1848 until 1914. It showcases the most famous paintings of Impressionists such as Pissaro, Manet, Monet, Sisley and Renoir. There are also Post-Impressionist paintings by Vincent Van Gogh, Degas and Cezanne.
Sainte-Chapelle
This church was considered to be the gateway to heaven in the Middle Ages. Sainte-Chapelle was built by Louis IX in 1248 to house the alleged real fragment of the true cross and crown of thorns from Christ’s crucifixion.
Sacre-Coeur
This Basilica has a magnificent Byzantine architectural style. This basilica was made after the 1870 defeat of France by the Prusians. The interior of the church has several mosaics that captivate its visitors.
Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame de Paris is situated at the centre of Paris and France. The cathedral was a witness for the greatest historical moment sin the city. Nitre Dame was constructed starting the year 1163 under Bishop de Sully. It was only completed after 182 years later on 1345.
Musee Picasso
If you are a fan of the works of Picasso, this is the place to visit in Paris. It houses the largest collection of works by the painter. The paintings were arranged in chronological order that depicts the life and works of the great artist. Some of the paintings here were obtained by the French government as a compensation for the inheritance taxes of Picasso’s heirs.
Bohemian Paris
The famous Moulin Rouge can be seen in this place where famous artists in France lived. Before the world War I, the place was very pretty and cheap. However, after the war, the place lost its spark. The place today is famous for tourist destinations in the day and as a place for nightlife in the evening.
Hotel de Ville
The 17th century building is now the Paris City Hall, which was reconstructed for that purpose during the 19th century. The previous building was burned in 1871 during the Commune. In front of the building is a square that was previously used for public execution.
Most of the tourist attractions in Paris were products of history of the place. So if you are an enthusiast of historical things, then visiting Paris will always be fun.
