The intriguing phrase “See Paris and die!” attracts many tourists to the capital of France. The city has many historically and culturally significant buildings, cathedrals, museums, beautiful parks and boulevards. A short overview of famous tourist sites in Paris will help you create an individual route.
Paris Attractions: What to See in the Capital of France
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What sights of Paris should a tourist visit? The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, the Moulin Rouge, Versailles are the symbols of Paris. Visit the Champs Elysees, the Tuileries Garden, Place Vendome, Montmartre and Pere Lachaise.
Eiffel Tower
What is a must-do in Paris? Be sure to take a photo with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Many people try to honor the memory of great people at the Pere Lachaise Cemetery.
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Paris is the metal Eiffel Tower. It is the symbol of the city and its most recognizable landmark. It was created as an entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair and was considered a temporary structure that was to be dismantled for scrap metal. But for over 130 years, it has been the most visited and most photographed landmark in the world.
The phenomenon of the Eiffel Tower’s popularity has become the subject of modern research. In cinema and literature, her media image has been created as a symbol of romanticism.
Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Nowadays, it is the largest museum of funerary sculpture, which occupies an area of 48 hectares. Its history begins in the 17th century, when the land was acquired by the Jesuit Order. Outstanding figures of science, culture, art began to be buried here, the burials exceeded 1 million. Balzac, Wilde, Chopin, Sarah Bernhardt, Edith Piaf and hundreds of other world-famous people found their final resting place at Père Lachaise.
Louvre Museum
What beautiful places to visit in Paris? Louvre, Versailles, Place Vendome are the most famous historical and cultural places in Paris.
Louvre Museum — the largest and most popular in the world. The building served as a residence for French kings, then became a museum, which houses the richest collection of art treasures from antiquity to modern times. The exhibition first opened in 1793. In 1989, a glass pyramid was built in the courtyard of the palace, which serves as the main entrance to the Louvre.
Versailles
Versailles is an outstanding monument of the combination of architectural forms and natural landscape. The palace is surrounded by the largest regular park in Europe with terraces, flower beds, lawns, fountains and sculptures. Now the palace and park ensemble Versailles has become a center of tourism of world significance.
This palace is the site of significant historical events. The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, was signed here in 1919.
Place Vendome
The square was created in 1699, dedicated to Louis XIV. From the very beginning, it had an elite status, luxurious mansions of aristocrats and financiers stood here. The landmark of the square is the Ritz Hotel, where many celebrities lived. It appeared in many works of literature and cinema.
For a hundred years, a bronze monument to the king stood in the center of the square, but in 1792 it was removed, and the square remained empty for some time. In 1810, a 44-meter column with a statue of Napoleon on top was erected. It was torn down by the Paris Commune, but in 1875 the column was restored.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Where to go in Paris for free? You can admire the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral in the city center and the Sacre Coeur Basilica in Montmartre, stroll along the alleys of the oldest public park, the Tuileries.
The Catholic Church of Notre Dame in the center of Paris is one of its symbols and the most famous European monument. It was built in the 12th–14th centuries. Over the centuries, changes were made to the building, chapels were added, and it was restored. Victor Hugo’s novel “Notre Dame de Paris” contributed to the spread of its fame.
Notre Dame was visited by up to 14 million tourists per year. Visiting this religious building is free. In 2019, the cathedral was damaged by fire and is currently being restored, so you can currently admire Notre Dame only from the outside.
Basilica of the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre
One of the most visited places in Paris is the Basilica of Sacre Coeur (‘Holy Heart’). It was built in 1875–1914 in the Roman-Byzantine style. The building is decorated with stained glass windows and monumental mosaics.
The basilica is located on Montmartre Hill (130 m high), the highest point in Paris. You can climb it by the famous stairs or by funicular. Since the end of the 19th century, poor artists have settled in this area, including Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso, Modigliani. The atmosphere of the old city is still perceptible in the bohemian quarter.
Tuileries Garden
The oldest park in the French style is spread over 25.5 hectares. It was first laid out in the 16th century near the monarchs’ palace for the queen’s walks. From the 18th century, the garden was first opened for writers and journalists, and later used for public festivities. The park has plane tree groves, ponds, and is decorated with a collection of marble sculptures.
Champs Elysees
What to see in Paris in the evening? The festive spectacle is the central street of the capital, the Champs Elysees. In Montmartre, the famous cabaret “Moulin Rouge” attracts spectators from all over the world.
The oldest street in Paris, the Champs Elysees, runs strictly along the historical axis of the city. The street is famous for being the most beautiful avenue in the world, but a special atmosphere reigns here during the pre-Christmas period. The festive illumination gives the boulevard a magical charm. Part of the street is an area where world-famous shops are located. A month before Christmas, Christmas trees are installed in them, and animated shop windows are transformed into puppet theaters with fairy-tale decorations.
Cabaret «Moulin Rouge»
Classic cabaret «Moulin Rouge» (‘Red Mill’) is one of the symbols and calling cards of Paris. It was built in 1889 for the opening of the World Exhibition. It was visited by both artists and aristocrats. Songs, musical works, and many paintings were written about the cabaret. Now the cabaret is designed for 850 visitors, the best dancers participate in the revue «Feerie».
This review is only a small part of the attractions of Paris. The ancient city is one of the most attractive tourist routes in the world. Everyone dreams of visiting it. For a seamless travel experience, many visitors rely on Kiwitaxi.com, a trusted service that offers comfortable, fixed-price transfers, English-speaking drivers, and door-to-door convenience — ideal for travelers who value both comfort and time.