10 Must Visit Attractions in PARIS

Congratulations, you’re heading to Paris! If you’re looking for the top tourist destinations in the city, you’ve come to the right place! I have put together a quick guide filled with helpful ideas to make your trip less intimidating and more enchanting! Here you go!

1. Seine River

What to do on your first day in Paris? Sightseeing boat tour along the River Seine! This tour will give you a glimpse of the important attractions from the outside before you visit them individually in the following days! The river divides the city’s distinctive left and right banks connected by 37 bridges! If a boat tour is not your cup of tea, simply walk along the banks! You’ll see families having picnics, musicians playing the guitar & friends having drinks or simply hanging out! The atmosphere is so different, and it is really a one-of-a-kind moment when experienced with the locals!

2. Place du Trocadero

Armed with your camera, cross the Seine river, walk to the top of the hill & enjoy an uninterrupted view of the Eiffel Tower! This is the exact location of countless movies and photoshoots that I’ve seen growing up, so I made sure I got my photos taken from this terrace too! #FOMO! It’s the perfect photo spot, no questions asked! But don’t expect a crowd-free visit as you will be surrounded by snapping tourists alike especially during the peak season! Don’t worry though… The viewpoint is so enormous, there will be plenty of photo opportunities! Just be patient and keep an eye out for that signature Paris shot!

3. The Louvre

Yes! Louvre is worth the visit even if you’re not interested in art! It’s like walking into a history book in real life! Even in a crowd, I still got to enjoy the awe-inspiring artworks surrounding me! I ended up spending a whole morning in the museum just wandering around and soaking it all in! I may not be an art enthusiast, but Louvre is definitely one of the highlights of my Parisian holiday! P.S. I still can’t fathom if Mona Lisa was happy or sad! And I still could not understand why Leonardo da Vinci spent 16 years working on and off on this world-famous painting! Could someone please enlighten me? THANK YOU!

4. Notre Dame Cathedral

Even if you’re not a church-goer, a visit to this Catholic cathedral is a must do while in Paris! This Gothic architecture is centrally located in the heart of the city that makes it easily accessible by Metro, buses or taxis. It’s arguably one of the most beautiful churches in all of France, you’ll want to see it from every angle! It’s open every day of the year and visitors are welcome to participate in worship services too! Also, Admission is free!

5. Eiffel Tower

When you think of Paris, you think of the Eiffel tower! No trip to Europe is complete without a visit to the tower! Period. It is the most recognizable landmark in the world for a reason! Beat the crowds in the morning by purchasing tickets ahead of time! Enjoy a glass of champagne at the third floor while taking in the incredible views of the city! Stay as it gets dark to watch 20,000 lights twinkle for 5 minutes on the hour every hour, every single night! You might even witness a marriage proposal like I did as the tower was sparkling with golden lights! Oh yes! I believe it now when they say… Paris is the City of Lights & Love!

6. Avenue des Champs-Elysées

One of the most enjoyable things I did in Paris was walking along Champs-Elysees! The 2-kilometre boulevard is home to the most exclusive night clubs, Michelin restaurants and French capital’s only casino! Although it’s lined with the most prestigious and expensive luxury boutiques, window shopping won’t cost you a penny! While there are a lot of stylish cafes and chic restaurants in every single corner… A visit to Champ-Elysees is never complete without a stop at Laduree! You simply have to try their macarons to understand how delightful these treats are!

7. Jardin du Luxembourg

This place used to be exclusive for elites & royalties before but now open for everyone to enjoy! It is such a breath of fresh air to find a garden in the middle of city and simply watch locals in their everyday life. Some are just happy to sit on a bench, some reading books and some who are enjoying a glass of wine. I don’t know why but watching children riding their ponies & older Parisians playing a game of chess just made me love Paris even more. It was very relaxing to see the flowers, the fountains and all its grandeur! I promise you, spending even just a couple of hours in this charming garden is definitely worth your time!

8. Arc de Triomphe

You can’t imagine how big this monument is until you climb 284 steps to the top! It’s right smack in the middle of a big roundabout and offers 360-degree view of Paris! Pick a clear day and go up a spiral staircase to see the Iron Lady, Notre Dame, Sacre-Coeur, Champs-Elysees and more all from one place! There are certain things that you’ll want to see and do in Paris and I highly suggest including this in your top spot!

9. Chateau de Versailles

After climbing the Eiffel Tower, seeing Arc de Triomphe and visiting the Louvre, where to go next? If you’re in for a day trip, head to Versailles! A perfect excursion to break up your time in the city! I’m not a huge history buff but I felt like skipping it was a huge mistake! Look beyond the crowds and your visit to Louis XIV’s spectacular chateau would be so memorable! Imagine stepping into the vast gardens that were once the playground of French royalties! I’ve been wanting to see this place and now I understand why it was and will always be one of the world’s most prominent attractions!

10. Montmarte

One of the many reasons why I will go back to Paris is the lovely neighbourhood of Montmarte! Start your voyage from the Moulin rouge, passing by the sex shops & night clubs then climbing 300 steps to Sacre-Couer. This white dome basilica offers the best views over Paris so no wonder artists & writers love hanging out in this town! The charming terraces, the lively Parisian cafes and the adorable little boutique shops are unmissable! And if you’re in the lookout for souvenirs to take home, this is the perfect place to buy locally made trinkets and knick-knacks! Happy Shopping!

It is such a great pleasure to share my Paris travel guide with all of you! If you haven’t been, I hope your Paris dreams will soon come true! For those of you who’ve already been, I would love to hear about your must visit places in Paris too! Let me know in the comments, okay?

Love from Paris,

The Travel Belle