10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Paris

Paris is one of the world’s most popular cities. In fact, it’s the most visited city in the entire world. The city of light is more than just a place where you can find an impressive number of historic buildings and monuments. It is also a place where people come to experience romance. Whether you’re visiting the Louvre, the Champs-Élysées, or even the Eiffel Tower, the French capital has a way of romancing its visitors.

The charm of Paris starts in the morning with the bright light and clear air of the first sunrise on the Eiffel Tower and continues as the day progresses. Take time to enjoy the splendor of the architecture on the boulevards, relax in parks or visit museums. The city of romance and elegance has always been a magnet for artists, thinkers, and those in love.

You can enjoy the most famous landmarks in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre. The city is also full of cultural and historical treasures, including the Musee d’Orsay, the Musée Rodin, the Place de la Concorde, and the Jardin des Tuileries.

Visitors are drawn in by the city’s beauty. Each quartier (neighborhood) has a distinct appeal, charming alleys, streets, and famous landmarks in Paris, making each district a unique place to visit. The outstanding Champs-Élysées buzz with energy and excitement. Outside the center of Paris, Montmartre is one of the oldest villages in Europe, which shows off its charming bohemian past.

When planning your trip to Paris, make sure to check out the top-rated tourist attractions in Paris, France. This article will help you plan a trip to Paris that will be memorable for a lifetime.

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Paris and number one of the top places to visit in France. This structure of 8,000 metallic parts was originally designed by the French engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel as a temporary structure for the Exposition Universal, an international fair that took place in Paris in 1889. After the fair, the tower became a permanent fixture in the city.

The tower is located in the heart of Paris and has become an attraction for millions of tourists every year, and has been featured in numerous movies and television shows.

Eiffel tower is 1,063 feet tall and weighs 7,300 tons, is made of iron and steel, and stands on a pedestal that is 300 feet high, the outstanding tower was the world’s tallest building until the Empire State Building was erected. The top of the tower is open to the public, tourists can climb to the top and see the beautiful city of Paris from above. The views are amazing.

For first-time visitors, the view of the Eiffel Tower from the esplanade (where the Information Desk is located) is not something to be missed. The four massive pillars supporting this 10,100-ton monument leave many amazed.

To reach the first level of the Tower at 57 meters (190 feet), you’ll need to take an elevator ride or climb the 360 steps. The level has public restrooms, a cafeteria, a gift shop, a brasserie restaurant, and outdoor space for enjoying the views.

The second level at the Eiffel Tower was designed to give visitors an even more impressive view of the city. At 115 meters, this level can be reached from the first level by a short staircase, or an elevator ride. It has similar amenities as the first, except that it offers the added perspective of seeing more of the Paris landmarks nearby, like, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur. The second level also offers a fine-dining restaurant.

Le Jules Verne is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris where diners enjoy a mix of contemporary French cuisine. With its unique setting, the restaurant is perched on the edge of the famous Eiffel Tower, and look out onto the cityscapes of Paris.

The Jardins du Trocadéro and the Parc du Champ de Mars are two of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Paris, and they are just a short walk away from the Eiffel Tower, a popular photo-op spot.

Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre)

The Musée du Louvre is one of the most visited museums in the world, with over 15 million annual visitors, and is located in the heart of the City of Light, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. The museum is a complex of buildings that house more than 380,000 objects and about 35,000 artwork.

The museum has a wide variety of exhibits, you will be able to find everything from ancient Egyptian mummies to the magnificent painting by Leonardo da Vinci the Mona Lisa, and the Wedding Feast at Cana by Veronese (1563).

The Venus de Milo is one of the Louvre’s most popular and well-known pieces and is a marble statue of an ancient Greek goddess. The sculpture was found in 1820 on the island of Melos in Greece. The masterpiece of Greek sculpture, monumental Victory of Samothrace or “Nike of Samothrace” from the Hellenistic era.

If you’re looking to visit the Louvre in Paris, you have a number of options. You can visit the museum on your own, or you can take a guided tour, which will help you get the most out of your visit.

Avenue Champs Elysees (Avenue des Champs Élysées)

Avenue des Champs Élysées is one of the most famous streets in France and in the world, it is a major boulevard in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France. The avenue stretches for 2 kilometers and is home to some of the most luxurious hotels and restaurants in the world. It is also home to many famous landmarks in France, such as the Champs-Élysées Palace, the famous Hotel George V, the Ritz Hotel, the famous Place du Concorde, Jardin des Champs-Élysées, and the iconic Arc de Triomphe.

The Avenue is a major shopping destination in Paris and the world, with more than 400 stores, and has many famous and prestigious establishments, like the pâtisserie shop “la Maison Ladurée”, well-known for its 18th-century tea salon and delicious pastries, and luxurious brands, like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Cartier, and Chanel. 

It’s no secret that Paris is one of the most beautiful places on earth. For those who can’t get enough, this lively neighborhood has plenty to offer, from famous landmarks to luxury shops, restaurants, cafés, cinemas, and theaters. It is a bustling area for both Parisians and tourists alike.

Notre Dame Cathedral de Paris (Cathédrale Notre Dame)

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is a Gothic architectural masterpiece that dominates the skyline of the French capital city of Paris. Its massive spires, buttresses, gargoyles, and flying buttresses are all part of its unique design. This is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in the world, and it’s one of the most popular landmarks in France. The cathedral is located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, on an island in the Seine River “Île-de-la-Cité”. 

It was built between 1163 and 1234. Until the french revolution, the church was the property of the Archbishop of Paris. It has a total length of 128 meters (420 ft), and it is almost as long as St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The tower of the cathedral rises to a height of 69 m (226 ft). The cathedral was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

The main facade of the cathedral is the one that has attracted a lot of attention. Tourists are immediately amazed by the ornamental design of the facade, with its large number of magnificent sculptures and gargoyles, while detailed flying buttresses provide structural integrity for the huge structure.

The stained glass windows of Notre-Dame de Paris, especially the three rose windows are among the most famous features of the cathedral.

Unfortunately, the inside of the church is no longer accessible. More than two years after the devastating fire destroyed the historic building on 15 April 2019. The majority of its roof had been destroyed and the upper walls were severely damaged. Luckily, though, most of the main stone structure remained.

The French president Macron said that the restoration of the cathedral would be finished by 2024. A fundraising campaign has been launched to raise over €1 billion. A complete restoration could take twenty years or more.

Place de la Concorde

The Place de la Concorde is one of the most famous places in the world. It’s located in the heart of the city of Paris, France. The square was created by the architect of King Louis XV, between 1755 and 1775. The area was originally called “Place Royale” and was later renamed “Place de la Concorde”. It was once a place where many historical events occurred, including the execution of King Louis XVI, and it was part of Napoleon’s triumphal route.

The square is also considered as the place of the meeting of the kings of France. There are many famous buildings around the place such as the Hôtel Crillon, the Opéra Garnier, the Tour Saint-Jacques, and the Opéra Bastille.

The square offers stunning views of the triumphal route towards the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and the Palais Bourbon. At the heart of the square sits a huge Egyptian Obelisk, presented to Charles X by the Viceroy of Egypt. During the summer months, a Ferris wheel stands in the square.

Triomphe Arc (Arc de Triomphe)

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and the major tourist attraction in Paris. The monument is located in the center of the Place de la Concorde, one of the most famous squares in Paris. The monument is an obelisk in the shape of a triangle.

Napoleon’s 18th-century victory arch was designed by Jean Chalgrinto to commemorate his military victories. It was built in the 19th century, making it the largest monument of its kind in the world. Impressive sculptures adorn the pillars of the Arc de Triomphe. This arch stands as a monumental structure that has taken years to build. On top of the arch are the names of over 558 soldiers who died in battle and is inscribed with the dates of their death.

It’s almost 50 meters high, 45 meters wide, and 22 meters deep. The arch is located on the Place de l’Etoile which is a major traffic junction in the heart of the city.

Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg)

If you are looking for a great place to enjoy a lovely garden in the heart of Paris, then you need to consider Jardin du Luxembourg, one of the most popular attractions in Paris, and a perfect spot to enjoy the sights of the city, relax and take a break from the busy city life. 

This garden is part of the Palais Royal, which is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. The Jardin du Luxembourg was created in the 17th century, and has been completely restored by the famous landscape architect Jean François Chalgrin, in the 19th century, and is now a popular destination for visitors in Paris. He was inspired by the English landscape garden of his time and wanted to create a garden that would be an oasis in the middle of the busy and noisy Parisian streets. 

Throughout the gardens, you can find some of the finest artistic treasures, such as the remarkable 17th-century Fontaine de Médicis, a fountain basin nestled under trees opposite the east front of the Palais du Luxembourg, which was once the home of King Henri IV and his wife Marie de Medici and now is used by the French state as the seat of the Senate.

Seine River Cruises in Paris

The Seine River is the main river in Paris, running through the heart of the city. It is a very popular tourist attraction.

Taking a cruise on the Seine River is one of the best ways to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Paris. Seine River Cruises give tourists the opportunity to explore the city from a different perspective while enjoying delicious French cuisine and taking in the sights and sounds of the city.

The riverboats offer stunning views of Paris’ main landmarks, including the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Eiffel Tower.

For a trip that is sure to be memorable, consider booking a cruise in the evening to appreciate the illuminated monuments and the famous landmarks, as well as the stunning Parisian architecture in a magical way. Try the luxurious riverboat “Bateaux Parisiens” to experience an incredible gourmet three-course meal.

Sacre Coeur (Sacré-Coeur) and Montmartre Hill

Montmartre is a hill in the north of Paris that rises 130 meters above sea level. It is known for the remarkable white dome of the Sacré-Cœur basilica at the top, which overlooks the city. The church was completed in 1919 and is dedicated to the French victims of the Franco-Prussian war of 1870.

If you are in the area, check out the Square of Tertre, a few blocks from the Basilica. You will find many artists setting up their easels to paint tourists or exhibit their beautiful work. Place du Tertre in Montmartre was the center of activity for many important artists of modern art in the early 20th century, including Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh. 

The Espace Salvador Dalí is located a few steps from the square of Tertre. This museum, devoted primarily to sculpture and drawings of the Spanish painter, was built on the spot where Dalí’s home once stood.

Bustling Boulevards and Legendary Cafés

For many tourists, a visit to the City of Light is not complete without walking the streets and spending time on the sidewalk terraces of the famous cafés. 

To discover the iconic Paris cafés, the best place to start is Saint-Germain-des-Prés boulevard in the 6th arrondissement. This large tree-lined boulevard is lined with designer fashion stores, luxurious cafés, and classic brasseries.

The most famous cafés are “Café de Flore”, which was the meeting point of Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, and “Les Deux Magots café”, a popular hangout of Picasso, Hemingway and other artists.

Boulevard Montparnasse is home to the best brasseries in Paris, which were frequented by well-known artists and writers. The glittering Art Deco dining room of Le Dôme restaurant in Montparnasse serves gourmet cuisine based on seafood. The restaurant has attracted luminaries including Sartre, Picasso, and Simone de Beauvoir.

Always in Montparnasse boulevard, there is another classic French brasserie with a legendary past since the 1920s, “La Coupole”. The brasserie has been visited by famous artists such as André Derain, Fernand Léger, and Man Ray. 

Café de la Rotonde (Rotonde cafe) in Montparnasse has been an intellectual meeting place for famous painters and Surrealist artists since 1911.

Explore More Destinations:
Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in France
Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Italy
Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Milan
Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Egypt
Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Morocco

Best Hotel Deals in Paris

Booking.com

Rent a Car in Paris