Paris is always a good idea and I couldn’t agree more with this. Below I share some of my favourite locations from around Paris during my visit there in October 2019.
If you are interested in visiting more than one of Paris beautiful locations, why not check out the Paris Go City All Inclusive Pass which includes access to over 35 attractions.
1. Eiffel Tower
I think it goes without saying that the Eiffel Tower is one of Paris’ most iconic and popular attractions.
Did you know: The Eiffel Tower was not built to be a permanent structure? Yes, it’s true. It was built with the sole purpose of being the gateway to the World Fair held in Paris in 1889.
Quick Link to book Eiffel Tower skip the line tickets
One of the amazing things about the Eiffel Tower is the sheer amount of locations from which you can see it and capture some magical pictures. Way more than I could have ever covered during my 3 day trip there. (I have shared some photos above and below of some of the places I did make it to).
What I didn’t get to do was go up the Eiffel Tower. When I was younger I had the chance to go and I definitely recommend it. Especially for those of you who love seeing places from above, then this is a must for you. Once you get to the top of the Eiffel Tower you have a clear bird’s eye view of the whole city.
How to get up the Eiffel Tower: You have two options. You can take the lift or walk up. You need to purchase tickets. I recommend purchasing them in advance as there are chances tickets could sell out in advance. I recommend having a look at skip-the-line tickets. Please either click on either skip-the-line tickets or here to view.
Option 1: Lifts – you may catch the lifts to various observation decks located at different levels on the tower or head all the way up.
Pros: you get up quickly once you are in the lift.
Cons: you may wait for a long time until you reach the lift. Skip-the-line tickets do help make the wait time shorter.
Option 2: Walking – this is a great option as you get to see the beautiful city of Paris from all different heights and angles. Keep in mind you will need to climb 1,665 steps to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Pros: you don’t have to wait in line.
Cons: it is a long walk up and if it’s a really hot day it may become quite tiring.
No matter how you choose to get to the top, I can assure you, you will be rewarded with the most beautiful panoramic views over the city of Paris.
Opening Hours: It is open year round
Mid-June to early September from 9:00AM to midnight
Rest of the year (October to Mid-June) – from 9:30AM to 11:00PM
2. The Louvre
The first thing I must say is that you will not be able to see the Louvre in one go. In fact, I would even go as far as saying that it would take you multiple visits to properly cover ever part of it.
Purchase your entry tickets online and well in advance of when you want to go. Doing this will help you avoid long queues to first purchase tickets and the further lining up to get into the museum.
Quick Link to the Louvre skip the line tickets: skip-the-line tickets
The Louvre Museum is one of the world’s most famous art museums. It houses an extensive collection of art and artefacts spanning many centuries, and attracts millions of visitors each year.
Did you know: the Louvre started out as a palace and the building we see today is not the original. Over the years it has been destroyed and rebuilt.
Some interesting facts and top tips to enhance your visit to the Louvre:
Size: The Louvre Museum is one of the world’s largest museums. It covers an area of over 60,000 square meters. I remember a friend once told me that it would take weeks to cover. Well, some google research tells me that it is so vast that if you spent just 30 seconds taking in each piece of art, it would take you more than 100 days to see everything. Crazy, right?
History: The Louvre Museum was:
- Originally a fortress built in the 12th century by King Philip II.
- It was later converted into a royal palace.
- In 1793, it became a public museum.
Mona Lisa: As you already know, the Louvre’s most famous painting is the Mona Lisa. It was painted by Leonardo da Vinci between 1503 and 1506. He continued to work on it intermittently until his death in 1519. The painting’s mystifying smile has enraptured people for centuries.
Collection of art and other artefacts: The Louvre collection has over 35,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and other decorative objects. Famously, it includes works from ancient civilisations, such as Egypt and Greece and other famous works of art, including the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, and the Coronation of Napoleon.
Design: The Louvre Museum has the largest glass pyramid in the world, which was designed by architect I.M. Pei and completed in 1989. The pyramid serves as the main entrance to the museum and has become an iconic symbol of Paris.
Layout:The Louvre is divided into eight curatorial departments, each focusing on a different period or type of art. Visitors can easily get overwhelmed by the museum’s size and complexity, so it’s a good idea to plan your visit in advance. Top tip pick up a Museum brochure when you enter. There is a map inside that will help you explore the museum and find any specific painting/s, sculpture/s and/or artefacts you are wanting to see.
Opening Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday – 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Friday – 9:00AM to 9:45PM
Tuesday – Closed
3. Pont Alexandre III
This location is completely free to visit and perfect during sunset. You not only get this beautiful bridge at the forefront of you photo/videos, but have the stunning Eiffel Tower in the background.
If you would like to pair it with a walking tour or other fun tours around Paris here is a few I think look interesting/fun:
Explore Paris on a Hop On Hop Off tour bus – it is a great way to see a lot of the city in a short period of time. Best thing about these tours is that they have an audio guide which you can listen to as you drive around the city. It tells you interesting facts, some of which I never knew about until going on one of these tours.
See Paris via an Electric Bike Tour.
Have a go on a Segway and see the sights of Paris.
Get a different view and see the bridge from the river on a Seine River Cruise. Some other options include a sunset Seine River Cruise which includes drinks and music, a Seine River Panoramic Cruise with dinner or another great option is the Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with a 3 course dinner.
Pont Alexandre III is one of the most stunning bridges I have ever seen. This beautiful bridge which spans the river Seine is a work of art. Just have a look how ornate and intricate the design is. You are literally walking over a masterpiece. Below are some interesting facts I found out about Pont Alexandre III:
- History: The Pont Alexandre III was built in 1900 during the Exposition Universelle (Universal Exposition) a world’s fair held in Paris to celebrate the achievements of the 19th century, which both the Grand Palais and Petit Palais were a part of. The bridge was named after Tsar Alexander III of Russia. He signed the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892 to symbolise the strengthened ties between France and Russia.
- Cinema: The Pont Alexandre III has served as the backdrop for numerous films, including the iconic movies “Midnight in Paris” and “Inception”.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Pont Alexandre III, along with the entire banks of the Seine River, have been established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nearby Attractions and places of interest include: Champs-Élysées, the Grand Palais, and Les Invalides.
4. Sacré-Cœur
Located in the charismatic suburb Montmartre, the Sacred Heart Basilica of Paris, known as Sacré-Cœur is located on a hill in Montmartre. It is a beautiful architectural masterpiece.
In Montmartre, you can join a guided walking tour this will give you the chance to learn more about the area and it’s landmarks. Other options are a hidden gems Montmartre tour.
The basilica was built and opened in 1919. Entry to the basilica is completely free. My top tip is if you have enough time, to go up into the towers/domes. There is a fee of €6, but I think this entry fee is worth it as you get stunning panoramic views over Paris.
Opening Hours: All year round from 6:00AM to 10:30PM.
5. Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is another must see masterpiece.
Did you know that you can climb up the Arc de Triomphe and enjoy the beautiful views of the city from it’s rooftop. Get your Arc de Triomphe rooftop tickets here.
The entrance to the Arc de Triomphe can be found on the southern side of the monument. To reach the top you will need to climb up the staircase, it is a bit steep, but the reward is well worth the effort.
Once you reach the rooftop, you are greeted by a wonderful 360-degree view of Paris. From the Arc de Triomphe, you can see the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Sacré-Cœur Basilica and many other iconic landmarks and sights.
While the streets below might be bustling with activity, the rooftop of the Arc de Triomphe offers a tranquil escape from the city’s vibrant energy. Take a moment to soak in the serenity and appreciate the unique tranquility that comes with being above the bustling streets.
Sharing 5 interesting facts about the Arc de Triomphe.
- The Arc de Triomphe is one of the largest arches in the world. It stands 50 meters (164 feet) tall, 45 meters (148 feet) wide, and 22 meters (72 feet) deep.
- Due to political changes and conflicts, the construction of the monument spanned several decades. The foundation stone was laid in 1806, but the arch was not completed until 1836.
- Did you know that you can access the Arc de Triomphe through underground tunnels. This was done due to the heavy traffic on the roundabout surrounding the monument.
- The Arc de Triomphe houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a tribute to unidentified soldiers who died during World War I and is lit by the eternal flame which.
- In 1919, the French forces marched under the Arc de Triomphe at the end of World War I. This event marked the largest military parade in the history of France, with over 70,000 troops participating.
These fascinating facts add to the allure and significance of the Arc de Triomphe, making it not only a remarkable architectural marvel but also a symbol deeply intertwined with French history and culture.
Opening Hours:
Year round between 10:00AM to 10:30PM. (Last admission is 45 minutes before closing)
1 January, 1 May, 25 December – closed all day
8 May, 14 July and 11 November – closed in the morning
Title: Arc de Triomphe: A Majestic Symbol of French History and Grandeur
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