Keeping up with the tradition, today, we bring you the top ten tourist destinations in the city of Paris. It is the largest city of France and the capital. It is known as the most romantic city of the world and also the fashion capital of the world. Having had the pleasure of visiting a couple of months ago, I can vouch for the fact that it really is amazing. With countless monument and beautiful architecture, with awesome places to shop at and excellent food, Paris is a heaven.
10. TUILERIES
The Tuileries Palace stood on the right bank of the river Seine. That was until 1871 when it was destroyed. This particular site is now a garden and a beautiful one at that. It was created by Catherine de Medicis as a garden for the palace in 1564. It was opened for public in 1667. The garden is an excellent place to have a picnic with your family or friends.
9. SAINT CHAPELLE
La Sainte-Chapelle is in the heart of Paris and was commissioned by King Louis IX of France. He housed his Passion Relics here including the Crown of Throrns. It is one of the greatest achievements of the Rayonnant period of Gothic architecgture. It was heavily damaged during the French Revolution and restored in the nineteenth century. The Chapelle also served as a place of worship. What appears of Saint Chapelle today is not its original form; it is basically a recreation of what stood originally.
8. MUSEE D’ORSAY
This is a museum in Paris as the name suggests and it is located on the left bank of the Seine. It contains many pieces of French art dating from 1848 to 1915. It contains paintings, furniture, photographs and sculptures. It has works from Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Seurat, Gauguin and Van Gogh. The Museum was established in 1986 is ranked number ten worldwide. The museum building was originally a railway station. By 1939, longer trains came in and the platforms were unsuitable for them. It was later turned into a museum; a good decision I would say.
7. CHAPMS ELYSEES
The Avenue des Champs-Elysees is a street. It has cinemas, cafes and luxury. It is one of the most popular and probably the most expensive streets of the world. Many French monuments are situated on the street including Arc de Triomphe (discussed below). It is known as ‘The Most Beautiful Avenue in the World’ or ‘La plus belle avenue du monde’ – as the French would call it. The street is around 1.91 kilometers long and it was created in the year 1670. It begins at the Place de la Concorde and ends at Place Charles de Gaulle.
6. VERSAILLES
The Palace of Versailles or Chateau de Versailles is absolutely amazing. When it was built, Versailles was a country village but now it is now considered a suburb of Paris. The total floor area that the chateau covers is around 67,000 square meters. The King moved from Paris to the chateau but he was forced to return to the capital in October of 1789; that was the beginning of French Revolution. Therefore, the chateau is a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy during the ancient regime. The palace is a marvel, one definitely must a visit.
5. SACRE COEUR (SACRED HEART)
The Sacre-Coeur Basilica is a Roman Catholic Church and is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. It is located on top of Montmartre, which is the highest point in the city. The building was designed by Paul Abadie. The construction started in 1875 and it finished in 1914. It has beautiful, lush green grounds in front it. People usually sit there and have a nice little picnic. The Church is absolutely a vision from the inside too and it offers a beautiful view of the city. There is a merry-go-round at the bottom for your kids too.
4. ARC DE TRIOMPHE
This is one of the most famous monuments in Paris and is located at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle. It honors the soldiers who fought and died during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The names of all the French victories and generals are inscribed on the inner and outer surfaces of the structure. It is around 50 meters tall. The construction of the arc started on the 15th August in 1806 and it completed around thirty years later on the 29th July 1836. The architectural style is Neoclassicism.
3. NOTRE DAME
It is a Gothic, Roman Catholic Cathedral. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic Architecture. It suffered damages during the French Revolution in the 1790s. The cathedral was later repaired. It is in a perfect condition and a sight to behold. The construction started in 1163 and it was completed in 1345. It stands 69 meters with two towers. You just stand in front of it and wonder how it was built. Such amazing symmetry, it blows your mind. It is absolutely beautiful from the inside as well. You should visit the place at night; oh it’s so beautiful.
2. MUSEE DU LOUVRE
This is one of the world’s largest museums. It is definitely the most visited museums in the world. It contains nearly 35,000 objects from the pre-historic era to the nineteenth century. They are displayed over an area of 60,600 square meters. The museum is in the Louvre Palace. It used to be a fortress that was built in the twelfth century under Philip II. If you go to the basement of the Museum, you will be able to see the remains of the fortress. The museum is house to the original Mona Lisa. It costs 10 Euros to enter and it is worth it. I recently visited. Know that you might not be able to explore the museum in a day.
1. EIFFEL TOWER
This one does not need any introduction; the famous place atop which Tom Cruise proposed to Katie Holmes. It is located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. It was built as an entrance arch to the World’s Fair in 1889. It is one of the most famous structures of the world and is the tallest building in Paris. It stands around 320 meters high; that’s almost the same as 81-storey building. The tower has three levels for visitors. The construction started in 1887 and it completed in 1889.