Honored with adjectives like City of Light (la Ville Lumière) and Capital of Fashion, Paris has maintained its dominant Top-3 position on the Mastercard’s Global Destinations Cities Index for over a decade. From the tallest free-standing manmade structure to the historical monuments reflecting the valor of soldiers who laid down their lives in the French Revolution – the city is home to several landmarks. Here is a round-up of the best things to do in Paris.
Eiffel Tower
This 330-meters (1,083 ft) tall wrought-iron freestanding vertical tower is one of the most-visited monuments in the world. Its height is equivalent to an 81-story building. The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second levels. There is a staircase as well as a lift from the ground to the top level. An observation deck sits on the upper platform of the top-level at 276 m (906 ft). Climbing 300 steps from the ground takes you to the first level and again the same count to the second level. The iconic tower is named after Gustave Eiffel, the engineer whose company designed and built it, and is located in the 7th arrondissement, Paris.
The Arc de Triomphe
You might have read about the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. It’s time to commemorate the great soldiers and generals who demonstrated incredible courage. Designed in an archway shape, the monument stands tall at 50 m (164ft) and has a width measuring 45 m (148 ft). Its walls have names of soldiers and generals inscribed. The Arc de Triomphe sits on the right bank of the Seine at the center of a dodecagonal configuration of twelve radiating avenues.
Notre-Dame de Paris the Louvre
The French Gothic architecture finds its reflection in the Notre-Dame de Paris the Louvre. Notre-Dame de Paris is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité (an island in the Seine River), in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. The melody of three pipe organs and church bells mesmerizes visitors. The monument has footfalls of approximately 12 million per year. The cathedral exhibits the finest sculptures including an illustration of the Last Judgement, Saint Denis holding his head, the serpent tempts Adam and Eve, Archangel Michael, Strix, gargoyles (carved or formed grotesque), chimera, and allegory of alchemy.
Champagne Ardenne
For nature and wine lovers, a trip to the Champagne region is one of the best things to do in Paris. Board your train from the Gare de L’est station, and arrive in Champagne Ardenne. Stop at several vineyards to taste wines and gain knowledge about the wine industry. Revisit the golden age of Parisian cabaret at the world-famous Moulin Rouge. Enjoy champagne while watching a live cast of performers dancing and performing acrobats. Their jaw-dropping seductive performance in dazzling dresses comprising feathers, sequins, and rhinestones on a moving set is a feast for the senses.
Louvre Museum
If you are an art lover, Louvre Museum is the place to be. Leonardo’s masterpiece Mona Lisa, the Wedding Feast at Cana, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Venus de Milo are some of the timeless paintings or sculptures that you can’t afford to miss here. The museum is home to marvelous exhibits created over 10, 000 years. Any guess about its popularity? In 2021, when the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the travel industry, it was visited by around 2.8 million. Let us know if you can get the secret behind the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa.
Luxembourg Garden
Fountains, tree-lined promenades, and sculptures – the creator, Marie de’ Medici has brought all together in one beautiful place in 1612. It straddles Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. Situated on the border between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, Play chess, tennis, and bridge or remote-control boats. The garden hosts a cultural program characterized by free photography exhibitions on the garden railings and by concerts in the bandstand. Entry to the garden is free. However, a ticket is applicable on entry to Musee du Luxembourg.
Ile Saint Louis
Looking for some romantic or honeymoon travel ideas in Paris? Take a metro to the Pont Marie metro station. Come to Ile Saint Louis, one of the two natural islands in the Seine River. Bring a bottle of wine, some cheese, and a blanket to lay out with your sweetheart and watch the boats go by. Previously known as the Île Notre-Dame, the island was used for grazing cattle, fishing, drying laundry, and occasionally for fighting duels.
