Paris, the City of Light, is home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks and cultural treasures. From the majestic Eiffel Tower to the hallowed halls of the Louvre, the French capital offers an unparalleled journey through art, history, and romance that has captivated travellers for centuries.

1. Eiffel Tower

Completed in 1889 for the World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower stands 330 metres tall and welcomes nearly 7 million visitors annually. Tickets to the summit cost 29.40 EUR for adults (2025 prices). The tower contains 1,665 steps, though elevators serve all three levels. Its nightly light show, featuring 20,000 LED bulbs, runs for five minutes every hour after sunset. Gustave Eiffel’s original office on the top floor has been restored with wax figures depicting the engineer receiving Thomas Edison in 1889. For the best experience, book tickets online several weeks in advance to avoid queues that can exceed two hours during peak season. The surrounding Champ de Mars park offers excellent picnic spots with uninterrupted views of the tower.

2. The Louvre Museum

The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum, covering 72,735 square metres of gallery space within a former royal palace built in 1190. Its collection spans from 7000 BC to 1848 AD, containing over 380,000 objects, though only 35,000 are on display at any time. Admission costs 22 EUR (2025). The glass pyramid entrance, designed by I.M. Pei and completed in 1989, stands 21.6 metres tall. The most famous artwork, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, was painted between 1503 and 1519 and is viewed by over 20,000 visitors daily. To avoid the crowds, visit on Wednesday or Friday evenings when the museum stays open until 9:45 PM. The museum’s eight curatorial departments span Egyptian antiquities, Near Eastern antiquities, Greek and Roman sculptures, Islamic art, and European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries.

3. Notre-Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame Cathedral, built between 1163 and 1345, is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture. Following the devastating fire of April 2019, the cathedral reopened in December 2024 after a restoration costing over 846 million EUR. The twin bell towers rise 69 metres above the ground, and the famous rose windows span 13 metres in diameter. The 13th-century spire, rebuilt exactly as architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc designed it in 1859, reaches 96 metres high. The restoration included cleaning the stone facade to its original golden colour, revealing details obscured by centuries of pollution. Entry remains free, though advance reservations are now required to manage visitor numbers.

4. Sacre-Coeur Basilica

Perched atop Montmartre hill, the highest point in Paris at 130 metres above sea level, Sacre-Coeur Basilica was completed in 1914. Built from travertine stone that exudes calcite, the basilica whitens with age rather than darkening. Entry to the basilica is free, with access to the dome costing 8 EUR. The dome climb involves 300 steps but rewards visitors with the most spectacular panoramic view of Paris, stretching up to 50 kilometres on clear days. The basilica receives 10.5 million visitors annually. The surrounding Montmartre neighbourhood, with its winding cobblestone streets, artists’ studios in Place du Tertre, and historic cafes once frequented by Picasso and Van Gogh, is an essential part of the experience.

5. Musee d’Orsay

Housed in the former Orsay railway station, built for the 1900 World’s Fair, the Musee d’Orsay holds the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The clock at the museum’s rear provides a famous view of the Seine and Montmartre. Admission costs 16 EUR (2025). The collection includes over 4,000 paintings, including Monet’s Water Lilies series from 1914 to 1926 and Van Gogh’s self-portrait from 1889. The station’s original grand hall, 138 metres long, now serves as the main sculpture gallery. The museum is particularly enjoyable on rainy afternoons and is less crowded than the Louvre, making it a favourite among Parisian art lovers.

6. Arc de Triomphe

Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 and completed in 1836, the Arc de Triomphe stands 50 metres tall at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, where 12 Parisian avenues converge. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, added in 1921, features an eternal flame rekindled daily at 6:30 PM. Admission to the roof costs 16 EUR (2025), with a 284-step climb offering views down the Champs-Elysees. The monument features four major sculptural groups, including Francois Rude’s “Departure of the Volunteers of 1792.” An underground passage ensures safe access from the surrounding streets, avoiding the notoriously busy roundabout above.

7. Palace of Versailles

Located 20 kilometres southwest of Paris, the Palace of Versailles was the principal royal residence from 1682 until the French Revolution in 1789. The palace contains 2,300 rooms across 67,000 square metres. The Hall of Mirrors, completed in 1684, features 357 mirrors facing 17 arched windows. A passport ticket covering the palace, gardens, and Trianon estates costs 29 EUR (2025). The gardens cover 800 hectares and include 50 fountains, 200,000 trees, and the Grand Canal stretching 1.6 kilometres long. The Musical Fountain Shows, held on weekends from April to October, bring the gardens to life with Baroque music and choreographed water displays. A full day is recommended to properly explore the palace and grounds.

8. Luxembourg Gardens

Created in 1612 by Marie de’ Medici, the Luxembourg Gardens cover 23 hectares in the 6th arrondissement. The Medici Fountain, built in 1630, sits in a secluded grove on the estate. The gardens feature over 100 statues, including the original “Liberty of Poetry” by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux from 1873. Entry is free, and the park offers 2,500 green metal chairs for visitors. The Luxembourg Palace now houses the French Senate. Over 5 million people visit the gardens annually, and the park’s historic carousel has operated since 1879. The octagonal Grand Basin where children sail model boats has been a beloved Parisian tradition for generations.

Paris, the City of Light, is home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks and cultural treasures. From the majestic Eiffel Tower to the hallowed halls of the Louvre, the French capital offers an unparalleled journey through art, history, and romance that has captivated travellers for centuries.

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