Unforgettable Places to Visit in Paris
Paris is an enchanting city that draws millions of tourists every year. A seemingly endless supply of attractions and activities, from vibrant gardens to iconic and historic buildings, captivates visitors. The ten sites listed below are among the most unforgettable places in Paris to visit.
Spanning 60 acres, the Jardin du Luxembourg is a green sanctuary in the City of Light designed with elements from Italian landscaping to ease Marie de’ Medici’s longing for the familiarity of her Florence home. The garden is home to orchards and manicured walking trails that invite locals and tourists to bask in the green landscaping.
Pont Alexandre III is an intricate and ornate stone bridge that spans across the Seine in Central Paris. It was built in the late 1800s following the Beaux-Arts style of the time, resulting in the intricate details carved into the stone and unmissable bronze sculptures of winged horses framing the structure. It’s a stunning historic landmark you’ll want to stop and take photos of.
Just beyond Paris’s city limits is France’s most famous castle: the extravagant Palace of Versailles. The palace was once home to King Louis XIV, and every part of the building and its grounds are polished to perfection. Within the palace walls are fine works of art and breathtaking architecture, and enchanting gardens and terraces surround the building.
The palace draws millions of tourists every year, but even with the crowds, it is a place you won’t want to miss.
With its identifiable namesake red windmill towering over the building and its red neon glow, the Moulin Rouge makes a lasting impression before you even enter it. Its interior is even more impressive, with dazzling details throughout and, of course, endless accents of red. You’d remember this building even if you didn’t stay for the show.
The Moulin Rouge is famous for being the birthplace of the cancan and popularising cabaret. The performance style has found its way from the Moulin Rouge stage to different corners of the globe, frequenting the stages of glamorous and lavish venues like hotels and casinos. While the Moulin Rouge may not house the alluring lights and sounds of a casino to complement its captivating performances, you can indulge in your favourite games during intermissions with Casinos.com.
Surrounded by tourists just hoping to glimpse this iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower is a must-see site that transformed utilitarian materials into a symbol of love and romance. The tower’s structure relies on iron and rivets for its form. The iron construction was softened with rounded arches at the tower’s base, a decorative finial at its point, and carefully placed iron latticework from top to bottom, combining beauty and function to support the tower’s height.
Although the roof and spire were damaged in a fire in 2019, the Notre-Dame Cathedral is still a tourist draw for the city because of its immense size, architectural style, and historical and cultural significance. The construction of the cathedral took over a century to complete. The stained glass windows and detailed façade are still captivating and impressive and can be appreciated by onlookers while the cathedral’s repairs are completed.
Wandering through the Parisian Catacombs is a unique experience that’s impossible to forget; however, it may only appeal to a handful of tourists because of its morbid nature.
The catacombs were filled in the late 1700s in response to two growing concerns harming the city’s residents: cave-ins caused by the city’s expansion over old limestone mines and more bodies than the city’s cemeteries could accommodate, leading to serious health problems. The solution was to remove the remains from cemeteries and move them to the old mines.
While a grim solution, it was effective. Years later, the Paris Municipal Ossuary, now known simply as the Catacombs, opened to the public.
Found in the eighth arrondissement is the Musée Jacquemart-André. This grand mansion-turned-art museum is home to works of art primarily from Italy, including pieces by Rembrandt and Botticelli, and is a work of art in and of itself.
The husband-and-wife duo Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart collected the art pieces and displayed them around their home. They donated the house to the Institut de France to be turned into a public museum.
With its awe-inspiring stained glass windows that stand 15 metres high, Sainte-Chapelle is a breathtaking building. Built during the rule of Louis IX in the 13th century to house religious relics, this structure was an impressive feat completed in just seven years. Though damaged during the French Revolution, it was restored to its former glory. Today, it welcomes visitors from around the world who are keen to see the sun shine through the window panes and marvel at the jewel tones that stream through the building.
From its historical significance and architecture to its stunning panoramic view of Paris, the Pantheon is well worth visiting. This monument pays tribute to Paris’s patron saint, Saint Geneviève, and draws inspiration from the Roman Pantheon throughout its design. Within the Pantheon, visitors can see Foucault’s pendulum and the National Convention Monument.
Paris’s rich history, abundance of galleries and museums, and food scene are nothing short of impressive. Whichever sites you decide to take in during a trip to the famous city, it is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience.