Millions of tourists flock to Paris on a yearly basis. It is one of the planet’s most historic cities, featuring a plethora of sites, experiences, and views that can’t be matched. Even with a detailed itinerary, you will see but a drop in the bucket of what Paris has to offer.
Seeing Paris requires a bit of foresight. Planning ahead is helpful and knowing about nifty little tricks like Louvre luggage storage can enhance your visit. With a little helpful guidance, you can see some of the most noteworthy destinations that Paris has to offer.
The Louvre
There are a ton of destinations and entertainment options to choose from, but there are a handful of “must see” places in Paris. The Louvre, one of the greatest art museums in the world, is one of those “must see” places.
This Paris icon used to be a royal palace complex and now holds some of the most famous works the world has ever seen. See the Mona Lisa, Venus De Milio, and a plethora of other treasures that can only seen in one of Paris’ most famous destinations.
Musee d’Orsay
While the Louvre is on a level all to itself, the Musee d’Orsay is nothing to sneeze at. It is arguably the next-most-popular art museum in Paris, and well worth visiting. Housed in an old Beaux-Arts train station, this museum is much smaller yet more manageable than the Louvre.
Home of fantastic architecture and an impressive Impressionist collection, you can take your time and really take everything in. Even better, you can see it all, including works from Van Gogh and Monet, in just a few hours. It’s a great way to spend some time without feeling like you have to dedicate an entire day to it.
Walk Through Montmartre
A favorite for many tourists is Montmartre, Paris’ 18th arrondissement. At one point, it used to be a separate city home to starving artists like Van Gogh, Degas, Picasso, and Toulouse-Lautrec. It is also the kind of place that needs to be explored while taking a stroll on foot.
Check out the Sacre-Coeur Basilica (for free, even) and the Place du Tertre with artists selling their wares. There are tons of cafes, though the sunset crowds can get to be a bit saturated. Overall, however, it is a beautiful destination and one that you will become instantly enamored by as you navigate the narrow streets.
Arc de Triomphe
Paris is not short on its iconic monuments, and the Arc de Triomphe is certainly near the top of the list. There are underground pedestrian passageways that let you get to the Champs-Elysees, or you can walk around and take some photos.
If you are feeling particularly enthusiastic, take the 284 steps and climb all the way to the top. Once up there, you will have some of the best views in Paris: the Eiffel Tower, the Montmartre, the Champs-Elysees, or the city itself. Seeing it is free and tickets to the top are very affordable, making it a must for virtually any tourist hoping to see the best that Paris has to offer.
Hitting All the Major Sites
The wonderful thing about Paris is that there is so much to see and do. You could go there several times and still have a few things that you missed out on. If you are going for the first time, checking off these boxes is a great way to get started. And if you plan to return, there is nothing wrong with simply seeing all of these sites again.
