A Local Guide for Places to Visit in Paris

Whether it is with ambience or with its gorgeous structures, Paris, the foremost tourist place to visit in France, knows how to cast a spell on travellers from all around the globe. Home to magnificent structures such as the Eiffel Tower, the Panthéon, and the Arc de Triomphe, Paris charms its visitors with incomparable beauty. The charisma of Paris can also be seen in the impeccably manicured trees, the picturesque cobblestone streets, the great bakeries, impressive art galleries, and the legendary cafes.

Whether it is relishing a freshly baked baguette from a local bakery or enjoying wine and cheese at the serene Seine River, many experiences await you in this appealing capital of France. While exploring the city, you get to capture picture-perfect views which are enticing enough to make you extend your stay. With buildings that are sheer works of art to old-school café culture that prevails here, there are umpteen things that will make you fall in love with the city. The city is also a haven for fashion enthusiasts as it has many interesting designer boutiques for them to check out.

If you wish to travel to Paris, there are many famous tourist places to visit in Paris which will keep you hooked right until the end. Here are our recommendations for your ready reference: -

1. Eiffel Tower

It is hard to imagine Paris without the iconic Eiffel Tower. One of the most famous places to visit in Paris, the Eiffel Tower is visited by travellers from around the world. The striking tower was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World's Fair as a temporary exhibit but the tower still stands today because of the popularity it received.

The tower comprises of 18,000 strong iron sections and over 2.5 million rivets that hold these very sections together. 324 meters in height, this spectacular structure offers the most gorgeous view you will see anywhere in Paris. You can either walk the 360 steps to reach the first level or take an elevator for it. For reaching the second level, there are 344 more steps. For going to the top level, you need to take an adrenaline-packed elevator ride that starts from the second level. As the top level is at an elevation of 276 meters that can really get you dizzy, going to this level is one of the most exhilarant things you will do in Paris. So, will you be up for it on your Paris trip?

There is even a restaurant at the second floor if you wish to dine in this innovative structure and gawk at the breath-taking panoramas from the expansive windows at the same time; without any question one of the top tourist places of Paris.

2. Musée du Louvre

To explore the city like a local, the next place that you should head to is the Musée du Louvre. Finding its name in one of the best places to see in Paris, a visit to the museum is customary to catch a glimpse of the seemingly endless works of art that this place houses. The reason that the museum is one of the must-visit places in Paris is because it features Mesopotamian, Greek, and Egyptian antiquities and masterpieces by artists like Rembrandt, da Vinci, and Michelangelo. Fascinating, isn’t it?

Even a walk in the massive courtyard of the Louvre or simply gazing at the glass pyramid with the sparkling sunlight piercing right through it add to the experience you have at Musée du Louvre, one of the most famous places in Paris.

3. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Situated in the heart of Paris, the Notre-Dame stands on an island called lle de la Cité in the Seine River. This island was once the home of many Kings of France. Built over the course of a whopping 150 years, the cathedral is one of the best places to visit in Paris. First made in Early Gothic style with further additions that show a transition to High Gothic style, the cathedral will let you stare at it in sheer wonderment. Be it the beguiling design of the façade or the intricate buttresses, the structure leads you spellbound with its beauty.

You can head to the sanctuary to bask in the grandeur of this breathtaking space after you explore the beautiful doorway. As you walk through it, you notice how never-ending it is as you get captivated by the light of flickering candles. The interiors are equally intriguing with stained-glass windows illuminating it splendidly.

Whenever you plan to travel to Paris, do not forget to add this place in your list of tourist places to visit in Paris.

4. Avenue des Champs-Élysées

Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a significant boulevard in Paris. It used to be a marshland until the 17^th century. Baron Haussman designed the graceful buildings of the boulevard and many tourists flock to the place to explore it. Separated into two parts, the Champs-Elysées has Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées on its intersection. Champs-Elysées’s lower part contains a massive park, Petit Palais fine arts museum, and the Jardin des Champs-Élysées.  The upper part is dotted with hotels, cinemas, theatres, luxury shops, restaurants, and cafes. This area is always buzzing with activity with many travellers and locals visiting it all the time. You can easily find many good places to see in Paris at Champs-Elysées itself.

One of the popular tourist attractions of Paris, the Champs-Elysées is renowned for its prominent establishments such as upscale designer boutiques like Louis-Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Cartier. There are many fine dining options also available on this avenue. There also many budget-friendly places here as well for travellers on a fixed budget.

5. Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe or the Arch of Triumph is one of the most significant triumphal arches. One of the most famous tourist attractions of Paris, the Neo-classical architectural style of the arch has a magnetic appeal. Constructed to honour the soldiers who died for the country at the time of Napoleon’s leadership, the arch is visited by numerous travellers around the globe and falls in the list of the must-visit places in Paris.

There are plenty of famous tourist places to visit in Paris and a wealth of places to visit near Paris too! For instance, after you conclude your Paris trip, you can head to a French commune called Senlis to explore its historical monuments and a Gothic cathedral. Another commune in France that you can visit is Chartres that is popular for its cathedral.

Looking at all there is to cover in this destination, choosing a Paris holiday package is the best way to go about it. The advantage of choosing a holiday package is that it comes with a full tour itinerary, doing away with any worries related to trip planning. So, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to this quintessential city of France.