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10 Top Things To Do In Paris, France
- Authors
- Name
- Jonathan Chum
- @jchum
Introduction
The City of Lights is one of the most romantic cities in Europe and a popular tourist destination. It has lots to offer that will make your trip memorable, including museums, monuments, and parks. If you're planning a visit soon and want to know what not to miss while there, read on!
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair, which celebrated the centennial of the French Revolution. It stands 324 meters tall and is made of over 18 000 pieces of iron.
You can climb to the top of the tower by taking an elevator or stairs. Experiencing a panoramic view like no other is worth any amount of climbing! At night, you'll get a great view of Paris' city lights as well as some fireworks displays that happen every day at 10:30 p.m.
Louvre Museum
The Louvre is a museum in Paris, France. The building was originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century under Philip II. It was converted into a royal palace by Charles V in 1358 and has been home to the French monarchy ever since. The museum spans almost 690,000 square feet (65,000 square meters) and features art from all eras of human history from antiquity through modern times---including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Monet, and Picasso; it also houses 26 centuries-old Egyptian statues that have never left Egypt before now!
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is a triumphal arch in Paris built between 1806 and 1836. It was commissioned by Napoleon as part of the monumental axis between the Louvre and Les Invalides, which would be lined with monuments. The chosen site was that of a former tree-lined parade route, made up of four broad avenues.
Housed inside the monument are several important statues such as that of Joan of Arc who led French armies to victory during the Hundred Years War; Emperors Napoleon I and II and King Louis XIV who all led France during their reigns; Charles X who ruled France from 1825 - 1830; Prince Eugene who helped defeat Austria in 1683; Marshal Francois Achille Bazaine who fought against Prussia in 1870; Jules Hardouin-Mansart de Sagonne who worked on Versailles before becoming an architect for Louis XIV.
Palace of Versailles
One of the most famous palaces on earth, the Palace of Versailles is a royal château in Versailles, France. Built by Louis XIV for his wife Marie-Antoinette, it was completed in 1710.
The Palace of Versailles was built as a home for Louis XIV and his family to use when they visited the town during hunting season. As such, it's quite a bit bigger than your average home. It took over 100 years (from 1661 to 1710) to complete and cost an estimated 3 billion Euros (USD 3.6 billion). At last count, there were 775 rooms within its walls---and that doesn't include all those statues!
Notre Dame Cathedral
This is the most visited monument in France. It is located on the Île de la Cité and is an island accessible by bridges from both banks of the Seine River. While it was originally built as a Roman cathedral, Notre Dame has undergone many renovations over its lifetime, making it one of Paris' most famous tourist attractions today.
The Cathedral's most notable features are its Gothic architecture and stained glass windows which date back to 1250 CE when construction began under Maurice de Sully. The cathedral has witnessed many deaths and tragedies throughout history, including being destroyed during WW2 but eventually rebuilt.
Centre Pompidou
The Centre Pompidou is a modern art museum located in the Beaubourg district of Paris. The building was designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers and opened its doors to the public in 1977. It houses the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe, including works by Picasso and Matisse, as well as many others.
The name "Centre" refers to Georges Pompidou (1911-1974), who served as President of France from 1969 until he died suddenly at age 63 just months into his presidency. He was known for his love of culture and art; after becoming prime minister under President Charles de Gaulle in 1962, he oversaw a massive surge in government funding for a culture that resulted in many new museums being built around France during his tenure (including this one).
Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, France. The church is located on the summit of Mount Saint-Geneviève in the Montmartre district.
The project was developed by Anatole de Baudot, who also designed the former St-Pierre de Montmartre (demolished 1879--1880), but it was Eugène Viollet-le-Duc who designed most of its Neo-Byzantine elements in an attempt to perpetuate the memory of Napoleon III's rule with a monument dedicated to his fallen soldiers at Sedan where he had been defeated. This church was built between 1863 and 1914. It culminates at 137 meters (448 feet).
Champs-Élysées Avenue
The Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets in the world, and for good reason. This wide avenue cuts through central Paris, making it an ideal spot to people-watch or take in a bit of culture. Whether you want to shop at Louis Vuitton or stroll by the Arc de Triomphe, this boulevard has something for every traveler.
The Champs-Élysées is also home to several important landmarks that are worth checking out while you're there:
The Arc de Triomphe stands at the top of this majestic street as a symbol of France's victory over Germany during World War I. Its golden dome serves as an impressive entranceway into Paris via road or Metro train---and it's worth stopping by if only for its classic architecture!
Place de la Concorde---one of Paris' largest squares---is located on the eastern end of the avenue near Étoile (or "star"). It offers beautiful views from its terraces overlooking fountains and statues honoring French Revolutionary figures like Voltaire and Rousseau (among others).
Disneyland Paris Resort Park
Disneyland Paris Resort Park is a theme park in Marne-la-Vallée, France. It opened on 12 April 1992 as the Euro Disney Resort. The resort is the most visited theme park in Europe and the second most visited theme park in the world, behind its sister park Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. The resort is divided into five themed areas: Adventureland, Discoveryland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland.
Pont Alexandre III Bridge
The Pont Alexandre III Bridge is a stunning example of French engineering, and it's one of the most iconic bridges in Paris. The bridge was built to commemorate the World Exhibition of 1900, which took place in Paris. It was named after Tsar Alexander III (an achievement that still makes me feel like I'm living in an alternate universe), and it has since become a landmark on par with the Eiffel Tower.
When you are strolling along this beautiful structure, make sure to stop for some photos at each end---the views from either side are equally stunning!
Conclusion
Paris is a beautiful city that has something for everyone. From the museums to the parks and gardens, and even the entertainment districts. It's no wonder Paris remains one of the most visited cities in Europe! We hope this article has given you some ideas on how to spend your time in Paris better than ever before.