Places to see in france - Attractions

Living in Paris, I crossed by the Eiffel Tower every morning and each evening to and from work. It never failed to catch my eye. Stunning no matter what time of day, or what the season offers. Late in the evening the Eiffel Tower is lite up, sparkling like a jewel in the crown.

On top of the Eiffel Tower there is a lookout point, gift shops and the famous Jules Verne Restaurant, that can be reached by several elevators.

Don't forget to go to the pass underneath the Eiffel Tower, and look straight up to the center.
Photo: Corey Amaro

Spend a magical night out on the town in Paris. Start your evening with a lamp-lit cruise along the Seine River, then see more of Paris' city lights by taking a Paris illuminations tour around the capital. Follow your tour of Paris by night with a late didinner on the fabled Avenue des Champs-Elysees, the world's most beautiful boulevard.

Take this tour and you'll soon understand why Paris is known as the "City of Light". You'll cruise along the Seine River and see the illuminated buildings and bridges of Paris, then tour tree-lined boulevards flanked by animated cafes. You'll see the famous sights of Paris on your nocturnal tour by coach, including Place de la Concorde Square, Place Vendome, Opera, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Trocadero, Invalides, Notre Dame Cathedral and Place du Chatelet.

The Louvre is just astonishing. To see all those great works all together just blows your mind away. It's not just about the Mona Lisa, which I really didnt get to see because of the hundred of others that were all crowded around it, trying there best to get a glimpse, but because of the thousands of other peices of artwork that are housed here. The Place is just put together beautifully, in structure and organization, it really is like no other musuem in the world.

Sitting atop the Hill of Montmartre, the Basilica du Sacre-Coeur offers amazing views of Paris. It's easily accessible by metro and you can take a tram up and down if you don't feel like braving the stairs. While there, try to climb to the top of the basilica for the best view or try to visit the crypts which are also interesting. The surrounding area is a great place for people-watching but beware of pickpockets and of people who will try to trick you into paying them for tying bracelets on you. There's plenty of restaurants and bars nearby and you can visit the Salvador Dali museum and the artist square of Montmartre.

Avenue des Champs-Elysées, is easily the widest street in Paris. It's a great place to begin a walking tour since it stretches from Place d’Etoile to Place de la Concorde. It 's best to start at Charles de Gaulle-Étoile metro station., at the foot of the Arc-de-Triomphe where 12 major streets meet at this roundabout or huge circle. This street is filled with wonderful cafes for you to stop and rest with a coffee.

A traditional French song about the Champs-Elysees describes its significant place in the hearts of the people. It says that rain or shine, you can always enjoy the Champs-Elysees. It is a center in the city of government buildings, art, and history. Just over a mile long, wide sidewalks line the Avenue to accommodate all of the people admiring the shops, cafés, and high profile buildings. American brands including Gap, Disney, and Nike have started their own storefronts alongside standing French boutiques and restaurants.

The Place de la Concorde, on one end of the street, is a large square including the historic Tulieres Gardens, the Embassy of the United States, the French Naval Minstry, and the banks of the Seine River. Two things stand out in the square: one, its an octagon. The second thing that stands out is the Obelisk of Luxor, from the Egyptian government. A sister obelisk remains in Egypt.

On the other end of the Champs-Elysees is the Place Charles de Gualle. This is also called the Place de l’Etoile, or star square, because there are several roads intersecting here, creating a potentially dizzying roundabout for tourists. At Charles de Gualle you can see the historic Arc de Triomphe.

Head for the historic Normandy region, arriving at the beaches that witnessed D-Day. The WWII battles that took place here were part of the largest seaborne invasion in history. Visit Omaha Beach, where the worst fighting of WWII took place. See the bomb craters that testify to the horrors that took place here June 6, 1944. Continue on to Pointe du Hoc, the 320-foot cliff scaled by American troops to capture German weapons planned to be used at Omaha Beach.
Then, pay tribute to WWII troops who fought at these fateful beaches as you visit the Caen Memorial. Tour the museum and see displays that depict pre-WWII Europe. Trace the events that eventually led to the outbreak of war and walk through the Nobel Peace Prizewinners’ Gallery, a gallery that highlights the accomplishments of the men and women who struggled for peace.
Then, visit the American Cemetery. Nearly 10,000 American soldiers are buried in this hauntingly serene cemetery overlooking the English Channel, their graves marked with endless rows of white crosses. Visit the Gardens of the Missing and the bronze statue named Spirit of American Youth.

Musee de Cluny is a museum. You can find some great collections of Gallo-Roman ruins and Medieval arts, including costumes, paintings and sculptures. Located near notre Dame. You will need at least 2 hours to see everything when visiting if not more.

This museum started off as an abbey house built in the 1300’s. By the 1500’s others lived here including Mary Tudor after her husband died. The building was turned into a museum in the late 1800’s. This is a great place to see about 5,000 square meters of medieval style gardens on the property, and tapestries, sculptures and other furnishings from the time inside the museum.

Another thing here as mentioned is the remains from Gallo-Roman times. This building was originally built on the site of a Gallo-Roman bath, more than two thousand years old. Specifically called Thermes de Cluny, the remains are open to the public on the tours.

This museum is great because you can take guided tours if you want, or your entrance fee includes the audio self guided tour. On this you can go from room to room as you want by looking at the map and marking your biggest interests for what you want to see. Its also a good stop for families because all under age 18 are free admission! How often is that going to happen on your vacation?

The museum is located on the Paul Painlevé square, on several bus routes and near a metro station also. If you are driving, there is parking available.

You'll all remember Notre Dame from your history classes and the key words "gothic architecture" and "flying buttresses" will more than likely be the first things to pop into your head. Located in the 4th arrondisement, the cathedral is easily accessible from just about anywhere and while it's seemingly always crowded both inside and out, there are so many ways to enjoy Notre Dame that you're sure to discover one of them. I personally prefered looking at all the carvings and figures on the outside though the interior is impressive as well. There are beautiful gardens outside the cathedral and cafes right next door if you want to grab a bite. It's only a few euros to head to the top of it, which I'd say is worth it since you get great views of the city and can view the cathedral's largest bell, Emmanuelle, up close and personal. At night, it is beautifully lit so worth a visit after dark as well.

Place des Prêcheurs is best known for hosting some of the best food markets in the town of Aix-en-Provence.This place sees thousands of visitors from all across the world thanks to the popularity that the food markets has brought in. Cobbled streets, green trees, animated street artistes, curious children, happy families and delighted tourists are an everyday affair here. A visit is well worth it for a taste of the Southern France lifestyle.

This Historic Castle, with its parks and fountains is a haven for nature lovers. Transport yourself back to the 17th Century as the guides of this castle take you through this huge estate in 17th-century costumes. Annually, this castle gets 100,000 visitors and is one of the most frequented places in France. The historic rooms, the lush gardens and the wax figures invite you to explore this private estate. Belonging to the 10th marquis of Breteuil, this castle has France's largest dovecotes that were built in the 15th Century. It is home to 3000 pigeons. Don't be surprised if you see peacocks parading as you stroll down the gardens. Charles de Ferault has also been an inspiration for the parks in this castle. Add this place to your list of "things to see" in Paris.

The Arc gives great views of the city. It is not as high as the tower but in my opinion gives some of the better views. It is also a major tourist attractions and a great place to visit.

This square recently received a lengthly (and long overdue) restoration process. Today, you see it at its best, with attractive stone paving in warm colors and a pretty fountain that catches the beautiful bright Mediterranean sunlight. From the top of an impressive staircase, the recently renovated law courts are a highlight of the area's architectural beauty. On the right, there's a small bell tower with a series of archways running behind. Pleasant café terraces dotted throughout the square are the perfect place to soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere.

La Place de l'Hôtel de Ville is the center of beauty and history in Aix-en-Provence. It is flanked by the many architectural wonders that were built around the mid 1600s. It includes the La Tour de l'Horloge or Clock Tower with its original structure built in 1510. The tower itself underwent many changes and additions and served also as a military outpost. It is fitted both a bell and a modern astronomical clock and four imposing wooden figurines depicting each sesaon. At the foot of the tower lies the city hall or L’hôtel de Ville. This classic building overlooks the the square and till date is the center of city's activities such as flower markets, parades and feasts. Lastly, the square is adorned with the La Fontaine de l'Hôtel de Ville sculpted by Jean Chastel Pancras that marks the exquisite beauty of the era. Altogether this town square continues to be the heart of the magic and a must see in Aix-en-Provence. 

Taking its name from the former salt warehouses, this square used to welcome lively fairs with jugglers and bear-keepers. It was also the site for hanging, beheading and wheel torture. The Place du Parlement is opposite; there are a few remains of the parliament (closed down in 1790) inside the present Cours d'Assises building. Outside among the plane trees stands a statue of Cujas, a famous local lawyer. On the opposite side, French kings used the large building on the corner when they stayed in Toulouse; since 1908 it has been a Protestant temple. On the right-hand side, the Seilhan house also called "Inquisition House" has been converted into a museum. End your visit with the Catholic Institute nearby to see a fragment of the Gallo-roman city walls.

AKA Musee National du Moyen Age, this place houses pieces from the Middle Ages and earlier. There are tons of tapestries, Medieval Christian statues, and the heads of Notre Dame. There are also Roman bathes here that I wanted to see, but they were closed off during my visit. Hopefully, you will have better luck.