Paris sights and sightseeing

A must see selection of Paris sights

Tour Eiffel

The Eiffel Tower, undoubtedly the Paris landmark and must-see monument, is 324 metres high and weighs a total of 10,000 tons. Built by Gustave Eiffel for the World Fair in 1889 the tower took two years, two months and five days to complete. You can take the stairs or the lift up. The second level offers an opportunity to enjoy a gastronomic menu at the smart Jules Verne restaurant, 125 metres above ground level. Once you get to the third and final platform, you’ll have an amazing 360-degree view of the city.

Sacré Coeur de Montmartre

Crowning the Butte Montmartre, this church was built from 1875 onwards as an act of penance after France was defeated by the Prussians in 1870. Built in a Romano-Byzantine style, the building was consecrated in 1919 and given the name “basilica,” thereby making it a shrine. Before entering the Sacré-Cœur, enjoy the unrestricted view of Paris from the square in front of the basilica. Even better, go up to the dome gallery, which offers a spectacular view extending over a 50-km radius.

Notre-Dame

The Notre-Dame de Paris is a masterpiece of gothic architecture, built from the 12th to the 14th century. The twin towers and three sculpted portals are instantly recognisable.

Arc de Triomphe

It is the centrepiece of the Place Charles de Gaulle-Etoile, from where it majestically overlooks the Champs Elysées. Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 in homage to French military victories, the arch was completed 30 years later. From the 50-metre high terrace on top of the Arc de Triomphe, Paris is literally at your feet as you look out over the capital’s historic avenue with, on the one side, the Champs-Elysées, the place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden, and the Louvre and, on the other, the Arche de la Défense.

Concorde Square

The Concorde Square is the most beautiful place of Paris. With a surface of 84.000 square meters, the place offers a superb sight of the avenue of the Champs-ElysÈes in all its length and the Arch of Triumph, on a side, the Louvre and Gardens of Tuileries, on the other side. Today at the place even where the King Louis XVI was guillotined, is an obelisk offered by the Egyptians.

Tour Montparnasse

With its panoramic view from the 56th and 59th floors, the Tour Montparnasse is a classic 20th century monument: 209 meters high, featuring the fastest lift in Europe, which makes it to the top in 38 seconds!The best way to see the city’s monuments is from the panoramic, open air terrace with views of Paris and the horizon 40 km away.

Les Invalides

The major dome of Paris hosting Napoleon’s ashes is part of a majestic hospital ordered by the Sun-king. Beneath the dome lies two churches: one for the soldiers, and the other intended as a vault for the king but now containing the mortal remains of Napoleon.

Bois de Boulogne

The 865 hectares Bois de Boulogne lies on the Western edge of Paris. Its designer, the Baron Haussman, admired the large central London parks. He decided to create two parks in Paris on the same model. As a result, with the Bois de Boulogne on the West side of Paris and the Bois de Vincennes on the East, Paris enjoys two exceptional recreational areas. The Bois de Boulogne is a favourite destination of Parisian walkers, bicycle and horse riders.

Bois de Vincennes

This is Paris’s biggest park, created, like the Bois de Boulogne in the west, when the former royal hunting forest was landscaped by Alphand for Baron Haussmann. There are boating lakes, a Buddhist temple, a racetrack, restaurants, a zoo, a baseball field and a small farm. Next to the park stands the imposing Château de Vincennes.

Jardin des Tuileries

Between the Louvre and place de la Concorde, the gravelled alleyways of these gardens have been a chic promenade ever since they opened to the public in the 16th century.

Versailles

The best-known of France’s chateaux, the Château de Versailles, is also one of the most prestigious monuments of world heritage. The buildings trace the architectural style of the 17th and 18th centuries and comprise: the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the Chapel, the Royal Opera and the Museum of the History of France. The French-style gardens are home to over 400 marble and bronze statues and splendid fountains.

Explore The Da Vinci Code in Paris

Revisit Robert Langdon’s adventures by tracing his fictional footsteps in and around the Musée du Louvre. Paris Muse offers private guided tours. To contact Paris Muse by telephone: 06 73 77 33 52