Panoramic Paris skyline showing the Eiffel Tower

Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Paris - Top 10

By Stuart Bak

Paris has more household-name attractions than just about any other city in the world. You’ve heard of the Moulin Rouge, right? Not even in the top 10! That’s because the City of Light has more world-class monuments, museums, parks and palaces than you can wave une baguette très grand at. Some of them (looking at you, the Louvre) are the most popular attractions of their kind on the entire planet. Here, then (in no particular order) are the top 10 most popular attractions in Paris…

Eiffel Tower

Happy couple in front of the Eiffel Tower

Let’s begin with the glaringly obvious, shall we? One of the world’s most iconic structures, the Eiffel Tower is right at the top of every Paris sightseeing itinerary worth its salt. No wonder then, that it’s Paris’s most popular attraction (and indeed the world’s most-visited paid monument), pulling in a whopping 6m+ latticework-lovers every year. Join the queue to take the elevator to the top or, if you have the legs (and stomach) for it, join a 674-step guided climb to the second floor and catch the elevator the rest of the way up from there. There are also many queue-dodging ways to admire the Iron Lady: from the steps of Sacré-Cœur, from the Tour Montparnasse, or on a classic Bateaux Parisiens Seine river cruise.

Disneyland Paris

The Disney castle at Disneyland Paris

Did you know that the effortlessly romantic Eiffel Tower isn’t the most popular spot for marriage proposals in Paris? Nor is it the swoonsome Sacré-Cœur. No, it isn’t even the love-lock-festooned Pont des Arts. The most popular place for proposals in Paris, dear reader, is Disneyland. Blame the social media generation. Anyway, Disneyland Paris is actually 20 miles out of town, but it would be churlish to omit France’s premier attraction (over 16 million visitors annually, fact fans) on a technicality. Catch the train to reach it from Paris proper and say ‘hey’ to Mickey Souris and Donald Canard.

The Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum in Paris

We continue our journey through Paris’s catalog of ‘biggest and best’ with the mighty Louvre – home, of course, to the enigmatic Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo and, perhaps as a direct result, the planet’s most popular museum. It’s also the largest: a vast multi-level labyrinth of hallways, staircases and galleries that cover 652,300 square feet and house some 616,000 pieces of art. Grab that coveted selfie in front of the distinctive courtyard pyramid before elbowing your way inside to the main event(s). Pro-tip: you’ll need a map and a plan of attack to make the best of your visit.

Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles

As extravagant and flamboyant as the king for whom it was built, Louis XIV’s opulent confection is a fairytale wonderland of mirror-festooned hallways, art-crammed galleries, lavish state rooms, and manicured gardens that overflow with ornate fountains and priceless statues and sculptures (in fact the world’s largest outdoor sculpture collection, as if you hadn’t already guessed). Visit Marie Antoinette’s rustic model village, marvel at the colonnaded pink marble confection that is the Grand Trianon, and take time out for a moment of quiet reflection in the extraordinary Hall of Mirrors.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Friends taking a selfie in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame has been stealing the hearts of tourists for centuries, so it wasn’t about to let a little thing like a blazing inferno change all that. Even while closed, its soaring bell towers, picture-perfect spire and stunning medieval rose windows are essential on any serious Paris sightseeing itinerary. Heck, you could even take a sketchpad and notebook along with you to see if inspiration hits you. You never know, you could be the next Picasso, Hopper, Matisse or Victor Hugo: all were famously enchanted into creating great art by la Grande Dame de Paris.

Montmartre

A classic Citroen 2CV driving along a cobbled street in colorful Montmartre, Paris

Fans of Amelie will find much to enjoy in the Montmartre district, home to many of the locations used in the quirky 2000 movie. Take a stroll along atmospheric cobbled lanes and squares, pausing to pose for a snap by the neon-red Moulin Rouge windmill. Or get a selfie of a different kind in the Place du Tertre, where local artists will paint or sketch your caricature for a few euros. Art-lovers should hit up the Musée de Montmartre for its fine collection of pieces from Toulouse-Lautrec’s Moulin Rouge series, plus other French Impressionist masterpieces. Then, of course, there’s the do-not-miss confection that is the Sacré-Cœur Basilica with its commanding views across Paris to the Eiffel Tower and beyond, particularly romantic at sunset.

Musée d’Orsay

Statues in front of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris

The second of Paris’s ‘big two’ museums, and just across the Seine from the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay houses the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art within the hallowed Beaux-Arts walls of the former Gare d'Orsay railway station. If French art and sculpture is your bag, you’ll be in clover here, with highlights that include iconic pieces by Manet, Monet, Renoir, Rodin, Cézanne and van Gogh. Don’t miss ol’ Vincent’s stunning Starry Night over the Rhône and Whistler’s Mother, and hit up the fifth-floor café, where a huge station-clock window affords exhilarating views across the Seine to the Louvre and Sacré-Cœur.

Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées

Fireworks over the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

No Paris top 10 would be complete without this Place Charles de Gaulle icon. Standing 164 feet high at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe is a soaring neoclassical memorial to those who died in combat during the Napoleonic and French Revolutionary wars. Pay your respects in the vault, or climb the 284 steps to the top for more of those awe-inspiring Paris views. Afterwards, lighten the mood with a spot of window shopping along the eye-wateringly expensive Champs-Élysées boulevard, and treat yourself to a macaron or six at the legendary Ladurée.

Luxembourg Gardens

Toy boat on the lake at Luxembourg Gardens, Paris

This exquisitely manicured park is a great option for escaping the hubbub of some of Paris’s more oversubscribed attractions (looking at you, Eiffel Tower and the Louvre). Meander over the 6th arrondissement, where over 56 acres of green space includes – deep breath – the baroque beauty of Luxembourg Palace, a small lake where you can sail charming wooden toy boats, pétanque courts, pony rides, walking trails, formal gardens, and one of Paris’s biggest kids’ playgrounds. Grab a picnic of fresh breads and regional cheeses from the local street market and make a day of it! 

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Elaborate tomb at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris

Paris’s largest cemetery is also its most popular, thanks to its huge network of meandering lanes flanked by gothic gravestones, titanic tombs and magnificent memorials to the great and good of Paris and beyond. Stroll its atmospheric walkways and look out for the elaborate resting places of some of the cemetery’s most famous permanent residents, among them Chopin, Molière, Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf and Jim Morrison of The Doors. And, if you don’t fancy navigating it yourself, a guided walking tour is a great way to get the lowdown on all the salacious scandal and gossip of yore, as well as ensuring you don’t get lost!

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What's on: Summer at the Louvre

Events and exhibitions at the Louvre As the world's most famous and prestigious art gallery, the Louvre is a no-brainer and a definite must-see in Paris. Whether you’re a culture vulture, or merely just want to catch a glimpse of the famous Mona Lisa, the Louvre Museum is an iconic monument, landmark and museum. Did you know that Napoleon renamed the Louvre to Musée Napoleon during his reign? And who knew the building was originally the building built as a fortress in 1190? There’s so much history behind this classic French building that is there to be explored, not to mention among its 35,000 works of art! The Louvre is a great gallery to visit, and nestled within the Tuileries Gardens it’s the perfect place for a picnic, too. With a fantastic programme of exhibitions and events held throughout the year, this summer is set to be no different – but perhaps even better. Let’s take a look at what’s on this summer at the Louvre, so you can start planning ahead: The Treasury of the Abbey of Saint Maurice d’Agaune, 14th March - 16th June, 2014 As a substitute for the Abbey, the Louvre has been granted permission to exhibit major pieces from the treasury housed in the Swiss Canton of Valais which will be celebrating its 1,500 years of existence in September. In this exhibition you can admire major pieces of art and artefacts of this religious community that have stood the test of time over a century and a half; the oldest community of its kind in the West. Birth of a Museum Louvre Abu Dhabi, 2nd May - 28th July, 2014 Louvre Abu Dhabi is premiering the best of its new collection in Paris, the first time it’s ever even come to France. 150 of the finest pieces of art will be curated and displayed in Paris, in the exhibition Birth of a Museum, including an Iranian gold bracelet that’s 3,000 years old, an Italian brooch from the 5th century, as well as Jordaen works of art, pieces from Manet, Twombly and Picasso. Louvre Abu Dhabi isn’t actually opening until December 2015 where it will be a revolutionary museum at ‘the crossroads of civilizations’. So head to the Louvre to get a sneak-peak and watch this space. Claude Lévêque - the Biggest Tent in the World, 2nd April - 2nd January, 2015 Housed in the space under the iconic glass pyramid to provide visitors to the exhibition with a ‘powerful visual and sensory shock’. Guest artist in residence, Lévêque, wanted to slice the air underneath the pyramid with his favourite medium: neon. Expect a very contemporary take on art and prepare for the unconventional. The Biggest Tent in the World is a runner up to an intervention extending into autumn 2015 where he’ll take on the underground moat of the medieval part of the Louvre. With plenty to see and do at the Louvre this summer, there’s really no excuse not to visit. From ancient Christian communities to a sneak peak of one of the world’s most exiting museums opening next year, there’s plenty for everyone. With a Paris Pass you can skip the lines and flash your Paris Museum pass for free entry! That’s a saving of €12 per adult. Find out more, here...
Go City Expert
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10 Tips on How to Overcome Jet Lag

Traveling is for the brave. Conquering the airport maze alone is gold medal-worthy sometimes. Of course, then there’s the long haul flight and another airport to navigate through. Once you’ve finally crossed the exit line and reached your destination, that's when exhaustion sets in. Time zone hopping can be disorienting and jet lag doesn't help matters. In this article, we’ll list tips on how to overcome jet lag, and help you make the most out of your fabulous vacation, or business trip! Avoid caffeine as much as possible Now, let’s all calm down here, we are not suggesting that coffee lovers avoid their magic morning potion! That might promote all-out anarchy. By all rights, you will most likely need a cup of joe to fortify yourself for the trip to the airport while also preventing insanity. However, we recommend that you don't drink caffeine while at the airport or onboard your flight. OK, maybe in the morning, right before you land. Naturally, caffeine might keep you wired on the plane, and you need your beauty sleep after all! Commit to your new time zone in advance Congratulations! You’ve made it through the airport labyrinth, security checks, and the long wait. Now you’re seated on the plane and ready to set sail on a grand adventure. As soon as you sit down while watching others awkwardly file through and find their seats, set your watch and phone to the local time of your destination. Why? You are preparing yourself psychologically and getting in the zone. (Sorry, couldn’t resist that one). For the next few hours, you will be hurtling through the sky in a metal machine at high speeds, which in itself is a marvel. Except for the passing of the drink and food trolley, the time has no meaning anymore. You are in the no man’s land of in-between, might as well enjoy the ride and think about where you're headed. Try to get some Zzzs on the plane and be cosy It may not be easy, but do try to get some shut-eye on the plane, especially if it’s a night flight. Neck pillows can help a lot with this because, as we all know, sleeping on an airplane is torturous. Of course, this might be easier said than done. Oftentimes airlines will provide eye masks. Just in case, you might want to bring your own. Earplugs are also a godsend, especially if there are tiny travellers aboard. Or if your neighbours feel like chatting. The horror. Since the cabins are cold, also dress in layers and bring a cuddly scarf or small blanket. Now that you're as comfy as you can be, swaddled, and both light and sound have been blocked out, hopefully, dreamland will arrive swiftly. Resist the urge to nap at the other end How to overcome jet lag? Resist napping at all costs because you will have an even harder time adjusting to the new time zone. We know, you’ve crossed oceans and hurdles and eaten terrible airplane food, surely a little nap won’t do any harm? Don’t let the siren song of sleep tempt you! Do yourself a favour and hold off for as long as you can. You can do it! Take a shower Ever notice how that airplane smell of recycled air gets into your clothes and hair? Ewww. After checking into your hotel or Air BnB, do yourself a solid and take a shower directly. Not only is it wonderful to wash off the travel grime, starting the day in a new country feeling fresh is the way to go. A shower is one of the best ways to wake up and re-energize! So hit the reset button, and start your day over again. Change your clothes and get on out there. Move Keep it moving! That’s right, the only weapon against fighting the urge to get some much-needed sleep is putting one foot in front of the other and getting outside. The fresh air will do you a world of good. Also, the sunlight will help your body get in tune with the new surroundings. If you're wondering how to overcome jet lag, this is possibly the most important tip. Once you're out there, the destination city will stimulate your senses, and possibly distract you from the fact that you are totally exhausted. I’m not suggesting you run a marathon, or that you hit the Louvre as soon as you arrive from overseas, not at all. Just gently reminding you that a rolling stone gathers no moss, or some kind of proverb like that. Wake up the next day at a normal time You’re not in Kansas anymore, unless you’re traveling to Kansas that is. Try to stay awake for as long as you can in your new time zone. Though it’s not a big deal if you pass out after dinner time. But do set your alarm to wake up at a normal hour in the morning and stick to it! Not going to lie, the first morning may be kind of rough. Although being active is important, be gentle with yourself on your trip scheduling the first full day. Having one outing planned can be quite nice, but marching like a drill sergeant will wear you out even more. What is melatonin? People rave about this stuff while traveling, and the hype is real. Melatonin is the natural hormone found in our bodies that regulates sleep patterns. In pill form, it is used to help sort out irregular sleep schedules, insomnia, shift work, and jet lag. Otherwise known as: this stuff will knock you out. The online reviews are favourable. And having personally tried melatonin, it does work! Having said that, please speak with a healthcare professional before taking supplements or medication of any kind. Keep hydrated This goes without saying. Drinking lots of water at the airport, on the airplane and when you arrive is possibly the best thing you can do for yourself. The downside? Yes, there will be many trips to the bathroom. The upside, you won’t feel like a freeze-dried former version of yourself. Hydrating is always a good idea, and your voyage has put your body through a lot. So do yourself a favour and make h2o your friend. Cheers to your good health! Eat small and healthy meals We’re not talking about the loathsome airplane food here. Buying healthy snacks to take on the plane is a good call. Also, eating smaller and vitamin-rich food is key on the day that you arrive. Conversely, eating a heavy meal loaded with carbs might make you sleepy. Thus you will be more inclined to head back to your hotel early. Noooooo! We want to avoid that as much as humanly possible! Load up on veggies and fruits. Heck, throw a smoothie in there if you’re feeling ambitious. Also, if you’re travelling to France, we do recommend cheese at all times... because, France. In conclusion In closing, whether you need to stay alert for business meetings or want to maximise your dream vacation time, why not follow these tips on how to overcome jet lag like a champ? As an aside, and for the love of all that is sacred, please bring hand sanitizer with you while traveling. You certainly don’t want to be battling both a cold and jet lag at the same time, nobody has time for that. We’ve been there and it is morose. Are you planning a trip to France? If so, why not check out all that The Paris Pass has to offer?
Erin Hagen
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What’s on: Centre Pompidou

Discover Europe's most important modern art Paris is a hub of ground breaking and revolutionary movements and a hot spot for art in particular. Everything from modern through to classical and Renaissance, you’re sure to get your cultural fix in the City of Lights. But for a focus on France’s foray into modern art, there really isn’t anywhere better to go than the Centre Pompidou to fully explore its controversial themes and iconic evolution over the years. Explore the masterpieces of the late 19th – 20th century within the abstract building, which itself is a feat of off-the-wall architecture. When Centre Pompidou originally opened in 1977 it was as much of a piece of art as that hanging on the walls within. Built by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, the success of their creation catapulted them into architectural legendary with their unique scaffolding-come-boiler house conception. Not wanting to invade any of the adaptable space inside the building, they designed it so that all the pipework, escalators, lifts, stairways and air conditioners were tacked onto the side of the external structure. It’s pretty cool, if not a bit reminiscent of the childhood game Kerplunk... Centre Pompidou is the largest and most important museum of modern art in Europe, so art lovers, you’re in for a treat. With rooms and exhibitions ranging across the Modern Art movement, from Dadaism, Fauvism, Cubism and Expressionism (that’s a lot of isms to get your head around) there is plenty to see over the six floors. Explore the vast expanse of art from interactive visuals to iconic prints and marvel at the masterpieces of Picasso, Duchamp, Ernst and Miró – not to mention the impressive gallery of photography from Man Ray and Doisneau to name but a few... Roam the floors and get to grips with some of the most unconventional artists of the past century, and don’t forget to visit the picture perfect restaurant on the upper floor for a stunning panorama of central Paris. There’s no way you’ll be able to see all 50,000 works by all 5,000 artists – there are so many some have to be displayed on rotation – but the Centre Pompidou is an important modern landmark of Paris that you must visit. Even if it’s just to get a view of its quirky façade. With the Paris Pass you can save €13.00 and gain free entry. Don't forget, the Paris Pass also comes with a free guidebook and travelcard to help you explore Paris like a local. Find out more, here.
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