One of the most popular travel destinations worldwide, Paris is a global art, fashion, cuisine, and culture leader. The 2,000-year-old city is home to luxury labels like Dior, Chanel, and Lanvin and famous painters like Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The charming city excels in sweet sweets and gourmet classics like croissants, croque-monsieurs, macarons, and baguettes. Paris caters to a diverse range of interests, including history buffs exploring the city's museums, fashionistas preparing for retail therapy, and tourists crossing iconic landmarks off their bucket lists.
We have created a list of the top 10 unique places you should explore on your Paris trip.
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The 330-meter-tall Eiffel Tower was designed by architect Gustave Eiffel and constructed between 1887 and 1889. It has three floors: the top, second, and first. The tower, which has over seven million annual visitors, was the highest structure in the world until 1931, when the Empire State Building, standing at 381 metres, overtook it. Among the top things to do in Paris is to see the Eiffel Tower. Stroll around the glass floor, relax on the patio, or have dinner at the first-story Madame Brasserie. Take in the view from the second floor and spot Gustave Eiffel's office at the peak, or dine at the Michelin-starred Jules Verne.
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One of the most advanced art laboratories in the world is hidden behind fortified doors beneath the Louvre in Paris. Radiologists, chemists, geologists, metallurgists, archaeologists, and engineers throng the Centre for Research and Restoration of Museums of France (C2RMF), which spans three floors and more than 6,000 square metres and houses its particle accelerator, named AGLAE. Numerous famous pieces of art have gone through the lab since its establishment in 1999, including Napoleon's sabre, the Mona Lisa, and the stained-glass windows of Notre Dame Cathedral.
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One of the greatest sights to see in Paris is the Louvre Museum, which is tucked away in the centre of the city. It is one of the world's most popular and often visited art museums and galleries, with an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, Islamic, Greek, and Roman art, Egyptian and oriental artefacts, and more.
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From Île de la Cité, this mediaeval Catholic cathedral from the fourteenth century dominates the Seine River. Currently undergoing renovations after a fire tore through it in 2019, Notre Dame is regarded as one of the best examples of French Gothic architecture and is synonymous with the cityscape. It is scheduled to reopen in December 2024.
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A hilltop neighbourhood of Paris in the north, Montmartre is well-known for its artists, bistros, intriguing artworks, and the imposing Basilica. The little Parisian neighbourhood has been able to hold onto its vintage charm. The location is a must-visit site because of the magnificent Basilica of Sacre Coeur, quaint cafés, and expansive views of the city.
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The oldest standing bridge over the Seine, dating from the 16th century, spans the river from the western side of Île de la Cité. With views of the island, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Pont de Arts, and La Samaritaine, the bridge is a great place to observe the Seine from both the left and right sides.
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The exhibition and event area of this famous Belle Epoque palace on the river bank, built in 1897, will soon resume its regular programming even though it will remain closed until July 2024. One of the greatest things to do in Paris is to stroll around the venue, admiring the striking Art Nouveau ironwork and domed glass ceiling, and then make stops at the Palais de la Découverte, the National Galleries, and the Nave.
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Paris's most popular shopping location is the Champs-Élysées. It provides a variety of upscale stores, movie theatres, and cafés. It is the centre of Parisian life and a popular venue for festivities and cultural events. Discover the cultural and historical importance of a place that visitors and fashion fans should not miss.
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The Palace of Versailles is well known for both its political significance in French history and its opulent architecture. It was formerly the royal palace of France. Currently a UNESCO World Heritage site, this stunning structure is one of Paris's most famous tourist locations. It's worth investigating the opulent interiors, vast gardens, and the Hall of Mirrors here.
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Nestled inside the Palais de la Cité lies a Gothic jewel called Sainte Chapelle. It was commissioned in the 13th century by King Louis IX. The exquisite stained-glass windows of the beautiful royal cathedral are well-known. Its elaborate patterns and dreamy light play captivate tourists. This world heritage monument, with its captivating 15-foot-tall stained glass windows and "wall of light," is too frequently overlooked by tourists.
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