Paris at a glance

The romantic city of Paris has always been one of the most popular holiday destinations. With an endless variety of museums and monuments, thanks to its rich history dating back about 2,000 years, the beautiful city is a great place to explore and learn about the French culture. The city boasts breath-taking architecture and traditional French cuisine. You could easily get overwhelmed by the choices of places to visit when in the city of lights, so we’ve compiled a list of Paris’ must-see destinations to complete your ideal Paris holiday.

Eiffel Tower

The classic metallic tower that has become the international symbol for Paris was built for the Paris International Exhibition in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel, for the hundredth anniversary of the French Revolution. At the time, it was the world’s tallest monument at 324 meters high. The exceptional view from the top has to be experienced twice, once during the day and again at night. The view of the glittering skyline from the top at night will show you why Paris is known as the city of lights. If you're keen on capturing great shots of the iconic tower, cross the river to Trocadéro, site of the Palais de Chaillot with you cameras.

Musée du Louvre

The historic Louvre is arguably the most famous museum available today. The Louvre was originally built in the 17^th century as a palace for the King of France and now houses the world’s largest and most diverse assortment of iconic pre-20^th century artworks from paintings and sculptures to decorative items. With more than 380,000 objects, it is impossible to see all sections of the museum in one visit so try not to miss the highlights such as Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Collections of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Islamic art are quite fascinating as well. Take a moment to take in the breath-taking view of the Louvre from the outside and the glass pyramid which leads to the garden of the Tuileries.

Notre Dame

Located on the eastern side of the Ile de la Cité in the heart of Paris, the Roman Catholic cathedral of Notre Dame is the perfect example of French Gothic architecture. Its unique structure, which consists of flying buttresses, stunning carvings, and beautiful stained glass windows, not forgetting the sculptures and gargoyles on the roof, draws endless crowds every year. The Notre Dame de Paris is definitely among the world’s most recognizable religious buildings and is an integral part of history in France since its construction in the 12^th century. The climb to the top (387 steps) can be exhausting, but the breath-taking panoramic view of the historic city is worth it and it’s a good exercise to challenge yourself!

Arc de Triomphe

Sitting atop the famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the majestic structure was built in the 19^th century in honour of the French Imperial army of Napoleon. The Arc de Triomphe contains sculptures of Napoleon’s military battles, lists of his conquests, and names of 558 generals engraved on the top of the arc, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier just below the structure. At 50 meters high, the top of the arc offers a great view of Paris’ skyline.

Château de Versailles

The Palace of Versailles being one of the largest, is also the most luxurious castles in the world. This gorgeous palace was the main residence of French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI, which set the standard for the ideal royal residence around the world. With the beautiful architecture and stunning gardens, no visit to Paris is complete without witnessing it. The palace is home to outstanding collections of furniture and works of Renaissance art, as well as unique lavish decorations.  

By Amal Ahmed