Sights in Paris: What should you really see in Paris?

Bezienswaardigheden in Parijs
Sights in Paris
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Sights in Paris: What should you really see in Paris?

October 9, 2024 Citie to Travel Comments Off

Paris is absolutely one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with beautiful sights, but which sights in Paris should you really see during a city trip to Paris? In this blog we list the best sights that you should not miss in Paris.

Sights in Paris

The French capital Paris is full of beautiful monuments and fun sights. And the city is buzzing with life and there is always something to do during a city trip. That’s why it can be difficult to choose which sights to visit in Paris. And it is almost impossible to visit all the sights in Paris in one city trip. To help you, we have listed the best sights that you should definitely see in Paris below.

1. The Eiffel Tower
2. Arc de Triomphe
3. Pyramid of the Louvre
4. Notre Dame
5. Champs-Élysées
6. The Catacombs
7. Tour Montparnasse
8. Cruise on the Seine
9. Jardin du Luxembourg

1. The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the best-known and most visited sights in Paris. The impressive structure was built in 1887 by Gustave Eiffel and consists of three floors, all of which are accessible to visitors. The total height of the Eiffel Tower is 312 meters. In addition, the Eiffel Tower stairs that you can climb have 1665 steps, but there is also an elevator. The view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower is truly beautiful and should not be missed during a city trip to Paris. You can also admire the Eiffel Tower in the evening hours when it is dark. During the evening, the monument is illuminated with 20,000 lights and a number of lights also flash every 5 minutes. You certainly shouldn’t miss this either.

2. Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is also one of the popular sights in Paris. And it is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Arc de Triomphe was built in 1806 by order of Napoleon Bonaparte. The popular triumphal arch is 50 high and it is the symbol of military power in France. The nice thing about the Arc de Triomphe is that you can also climb it, but this is only possible via a staircase with 284 steps. But it is worth it, because the view over the Champs-Élysées and the rest of Paris from the Arc de Triomphe is truly amazing. You should also not miss this sight in Paris during your city trip.

3. Pyramid of the Louvre

The Louvre pyramid is located in the courtyard of the Louvre in Paris. The glass pyramid is 21 meters high and designed by the Chinese-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei. And it is one of the sights in Paris that you should definitely see. Especially in summer you can relax and enjoy the fountains around the pyramid. You can also visit the Louvre Museum, which is really worth it. In the museum you will find a beautiful art collection of more than 35,000 works of art, including Da Vinci’s The Mona Lisa. But the building itself is also very beautiful. The Louvre museum used to be a palace.

4. Notre Dame

Notre Dame is a famous cathedral in Paris that was built in 1344 by order of Bishop Maurice de Sully. The cathedral 130 meters long; 69 meters wide and the nave is 35 meters high, in addition the west tower is 69 meters high. Notre Dame is very popular and currently one of the most visited sights in Paris. Notre Dame is visited by more than 13 million visitors every year, which is more than the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower. You will find Notre Dame on the Île de la Cité, this is a small island in the middle of the Seine.

5. Champs-Élysées

The Champs-Élysées was built in 1870 and is 1.91 kilometers long and 70 meters wide. And on the Champs-Élysées you will mainly find many cafes, luxury shops and at the beginning of the Champs-Élysées you will find the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre and at the end you will find the Arc de Triomphe. These are all sights in Paris that are really worth visiting. And the best way to do that is walking from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe and from there to the Champs-Élysées, but the other way around is of course also possible.

6. The Catacombs

The Catacombs are among the most special sights in Paris. This tunnel system under Paris was put into use as a cemetery at the end of the eighteenth century because the cemeteries in the center of Paris became overcrowded. The corridor system is over 290 kilometers long, of which 2 kilometers are accessible to visitors. To do this you have to descend 25 meters via a staircase with 130 steps. During your walk you will come across works of art made of stacked skulls and bones in various places. In total there are 6 million skulls and bones of deceased Parisians. A visit to the Catacombs in Paris may be a bit scary, but it is a special trip that makes your city trip to Paris extra special.

7. Tour Montparnasse

Tour Montparnasse is the highest viewpoint in the city and an attraction in Paris that you should not miss. The building was built in 1973 and it is 210 meters high and it has 60 floors. The view you have over Paris from the observation deck is really beautiful and the elevator that takes you up is the fastest elevator in Europe. In addition, there is the opportunity to have a drink or a snack on the observation deck.

8. Cruise on the Seine

A cruise on the Seine is an attraction you should definitely do when you are in Paris. A cruise on the Seine is the best and most fun way to discover Paris. You will also pass many popular sights in Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and the Arc de Triomphe. The boat also sails under several iconic bridges in Paris. An average cruise on the Seine takes one hour. The departure point for the tour boats is close to the Eiffel Tower.

9. Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg was created in 1612 at the request of Maria de’ Medici as a park around the Palais du Luxembourg. The park covers more than 23 hectares, making it the largest city park in Paris. The park is very popular among tourists and Parisians alike and is one of the most popular sights in Paris. In the park you will find many sights such as a huge octagonal pond, jeu de boules courts, puppet theatre, a small museum, tennis courts and many tribal statues.

10. Monuments: Panthéon

The Panthéon is a very impressive 19th-century building, designed as a church but later converted as a tomb for the final resting place of important French people, including French writer Victor Hugo and scientists Marie and Pierre Curie. The Panthéon is located in the fifth arrondissement of Paris, centrally located in the characteristic Latin Quarter district.

Special offers

Are you going on a city trip to Paris and would you like to visit a few attractions and sights in Paris, then take advantage of the offers below!