Top Attractions in Paris

Musee du Louvre

There's so much to say about the Louvre, of course, not only is it generally considered the greatest art museum in the world, but it's also one of the most visited sites in France. Since you can't see it all in one day, don't even bother. After visiting the Mona Lisa and some of the Egyptian exhibits I was most interested in, I spent the rest of the day just wandering aimlessly, people-watching and pretending to know something about art. If you're not really into art, it's worth a visit anyways since there's lots of shopping underground right by the museum entrance and there's some cafes outside on the upper level where you can spend hours watching all the visitors and the locals trying to chat up the female tourists.

Berthillon, Ile Saint-Louis

Given the small size of Ile Saint-Louis, I spent an inordinate amount of time there. There are some beautiful churches and interesting houses to look at as well as some great shops to browse through. But perhaps most importantly, the island is home to Berthillon, which consistently ranks among the top ice cream shops in the world. The line generally stretches through the restaurant and out the door, but it's worth it! Get more than one scoop and they put them side by side rather than stacking them up on each other. Definitely worth a visit (or two!)

Champs-Elysees

Known as the most beautiful avenue in the world, the Champs-Elysees is one of my favorite places to visit in Paris. Yes it's overrun by tourists and yes, many of the stores are either too expensive for the average tourist or markup their products simply because of the store's location. But the mix of stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and more definitely make this an interesting place to visit. The stores are open very late at night; on more than one occasion I went shopping after getting out of a movie between midnight and 1 am. It's especially beautiful when the holiday lights are on!

Sacre Coeur

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.

Jardin des Tuileries

Located adjacent to the Musee du Louvre, the Jardin des Tuileries is a great place to relax and unwind after your mad dash to see all your favorite pieces in the museum. There are wide sandy paths lined with beautiful trees, plenty of places to sit, and some gorgeous statues. There's also little play areas for kids and some food stands if you're hungry. It's peaceful and large enough that you don't feel like you're cramped in next to other tourists. You can make a straight shot from here to the Concorde and to the Champs-Elysees.

Les Invalides

You may know Les Invalides for its striking golden dome and beautiful exterior, but it's also a fascinating place to learn about France's military history. Most notably, Les Invalides is the home of Napoleon's tomb. But the place has enough to keep you busy for hours. It's full of artifacts, weapons, tombs, and more detailing France's military past. The building was initiated by Louis XIV in 1670 as a home and hospital for old and unwell soldiers. Be sure to check the museum hours as not all of them match the building's hours. The audio guide comes free with the cost of admission so be sure to ask for it! Les Invalides is easily accessible as it is one of the stops on the hop-on-hop-off bus.

Saint-Chapelle

While it may not be the most famous church in Paris, Saint-Chapelle is arguably the most beautiful. The interior is, of course, the main attraction. The lower chapel is painted in rich reds, blues and greens with gold patterns that resemble stars. Up the narrow, twisting stone staircase you enter a slim but tall upper room completely lined with the most beautiful stained glass windows I've ever seen. The windows depict biblical stories on a small scale but I found the best way to view them was to simply stand back or sit on one of the benches and just take them all in at once. I could have stayed there for hours. It's one of the coziest, most inviting churches I've ever been in. Saint-Chapelle is located within the Palais de Justice compound on Ile de la Cite so security is pretty tight. You'll have to pass through a metal detector and have your bag searched, but it's totally worth it.

Eiffel Tower

No guide about Paris would be complete without mentioning the Eiffel Tower! Now before you go thinking that it's an over-rated attraction swarmed with tourists, remember that there are many, many ways to experience the tower, all of them worth a try! I went up the Eiffel Tower twice while I was in Paris, the views truly are amazing and the wait to get up there really isn't that bad. Once, I ate in the restaurant up there and it was delicious with great atmosphere, though obviously over-priced. You may be better off eating in the Tour Montparnasse which also offers great views of the city. Anyways, once you've climbed the tower, take some time to explore the area around it. There's a great park with food stands, kids playing, and couples relaxing. You can walk a short ways to an outside market to get some wine and cheese to snack on while you're there. One of my favorite parts about the Eiffel Tower is the light show at night, which I believe happens on the hour. From near or far it's definitely a cool site to see!

Le Marais

If you want to get a glimpse of "the real Paris" while you're in town, be sure to visit Le Marais, in the 3rd & 4th arrondisements. The area is less touristy than most and you're sure to have a tasty experience thanks to the large number of jewish bakeries and falafel stands throughout the neighborhood. Though the neighborhood once lost prominence, it has lately enjoyed a revival and is now a fun mix of the old & new thriving together. It's a great area to walk around and is easily within walking distance of Notre Dame, The Left Bank, Pompidou, Hotel de Ville and the Louvre. Le Marais is also home to Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris and once home to Victor Hugo.

Notre Dame Cathedral

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.