Paris is known as the most romantic city in the world. The city draws an annual 23.5 million visitors to its museums, cathedrals and monuments for vacations and holidays, family trips, honeymoons, and for historians wanting to know more about the city and the riches its museums contains. With all the sights to behold, the cuisine to sample and things to do, you’ll surely never forget your Paris experience. If you’re planning a trip to Paris, here are three places you must see in the city:
1. The Louvre Museum
Established in 1793, the Louvre is one of the oldest museums in Europe. Home to the Mona Lisa, the museum also has collections ranging from the birth of great civilizations up to the 19th century. The Louvre is also one of the largest museums in the world, housing over 35,000 pieces of art in a 60,000 square foot building. Situated along the banks of the Seine River, the Louvre is easily spotted by the glass pyramid that adorns its courtyard. The pyramid, which serves as the main entrance to the museum, was constructed in 1989 and was part of the renovation of the Grand Louvre Project.
2. The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower, an iron tower built on the Champ de Mars beside the Seine River, is the tallest structure in Paris and one of the most famous structures in the world. Named after its designer and engineer Gustave Eiffel, the tower is the most visited paid monument in the world per year. A list of the Eiffel Tower’s entrance fees can be found at its official website, as well as operating hours, disabled access, and FAQs about the Eiffel Tower. The official website also lists a detailed account of what visitors can see upon climbing the different floors of the Eiffel Tower.
Several movies like The Man in the Eiffel Tower (1949), Superman II (1980), The Real Ghostbusters (1987), Mars Attacks! (1996), and Armageddon (1998) have filmed in the Eiffel Tower, or used the tower as one of the visible points in the movie.
3. The Notre Dame Cathedral.
The Notre Dame Cathedral is considered as one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. It is still being used as a Roman Catholic cathedral, and is the seat of the Archbishop of Paris. Notre Dame translates as “Our Lady” from French. Construction was started in 1163 and was completed around 1345. Visitors from all over the world frequent the cathedral because of its architectural beauty, and also for its strategic location.
The Notre Dame Cathedral was featured in the movie Before Sunset, Van Helsing, and in the Disney animated The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
There are also a lot of great sights in Paris, and a lot of things to do. If you feel up to an adventure, try getting lost in Paris. Keep walking, enjoy the view, and who knows? You might be able to stumble upon a new discovery that no travel brochure has printed. Besides, there’s almost no place in Paris that the subway can’t access.