10 Most Famous Landmarks in Paris Everyone Should See
Paris has some of the most famous landmarks in the world, and the truth is, they deserve every bit of praise. The history, the architecture, the grandeur, the attention to detail all make these monuments unforgettable stops on a visit to France.
Here are 10 Paris landmarks every visitor should experience at least once.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame is one of France’s most spectacular churches, and is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, with its stained glass rose windows, flying buttresses, gargoyles, soaring archways, and its distinctive square towers. It’s been the literal heart of Paris since the 12th century, and today is the most visited monument in the city.
After the devastating rooftop fire of 2019, Notre Dame has undergone a meticulous five-year restoration. With centuries of soot and dirt removed from the walls, the interior practically gleams.
The Eiffel Tower
Built for the 1889 World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower was originally considered a temporary structure but quickly became the symbol of Paris. Whether you take the elevator or climb the stairs, the views over the city from the tower are spectacular.
At night, for five minutes at the top of the hour, the tower sparkles with thousands of lights, a show that never fails to delight and amaze.
The Louvre
The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world and one of Paris’s most iconic landmarks. The collection includes more than 35,000 works of art. Besides Mona Lisa, visitors also love the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Liberty Leading the People, among countless other masterpieces.
Even the museum itself is a work of art, with marble columns, sweeping staircases, and ornate ceilings that rival the paintings.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe stands at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, where twelve grand avenues converge. It was commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate French military victories.
Visitors can climb to the top of the arch for sweeping views of the Champs-Élysées Avenue and across Paris, with the Eiffel Tower rising magnificently in the distance.
Sacré Coeur
The Sacré Cœur Basilica sits at the highest point in Paris, crowning the hill of Montmartre with its shockingly white domes. Completed in 1914, its neo-Byzantine design sets it apart from Paris’s Gothic cathedrals.
From the front steps, the view stretches across the city, making it one of the best lookout points in Paris. And the surrounding Montmartre neighborhood is equally worth exploring, filled with quaint cobblestone lanes and charming squares.
Jardin de Luxembourg
The Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the most beloved gardens in Paris, originally created in the 1600s for Marie de Medici when she built the Luxembourg Palace. Tree-lined promenades, flowerbeds, fountains, and sculptures dot the grounds, creating a favorite spot for Parisians and visitors alike. Children sail toy boats in the central basin, students lounge in the iconic green chairs, and the palace serves as the seat of the French Senate.
The Seine River
The Seine flows through the center of Paris, dividing the city into the Right and Left Banks. Landmarks like Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower line its banks, linked by famous bridges such as Pont Neuf and Pont Alexandre III.
Visitors can stroll along the banks, browse riverside bookstalls filled with old prints and novels, and take a boat cruise to see the city’s monuments. It’s one of the most memorable ways to experience Paris.
Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay is Paris’s 2nd most popular museum, but it is often visitors’ favorite museum in Paris. Housed in a former Beaux-Arts railway station, the museum is world-renowned for its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. Come to see works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas, and Cézanne, alongside sculptures, decorative arts, and photography.
Champs Elysées
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is the most famous boulevard in Paris, stretching from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, with a mix of luxury shops, flagship stores, cafés, and theaters.
It’s also the site of important national events, from the annual Bastille Day military parade to the finish line of the Tour de France. A stroll along the avenue, day or night (or both!), is one of Paris’s most classic experiences, and definitely worth adding to your Paris bucket list.
Versailles
The Palace of Versailles, just outside Paris, is one of the most extravagant royal residences in the world. It was transformed by King Louis XIV in the 17th century into a symbol of absolute monarchy and French grandeur.
The highlight is undoubtedly the Hall of Mirrors, with crystal chandeliers and arched windows reflecting endless light. Visitors also wander the vast gardens, dotted with fountains and sculptures, and admire this incredible display of French opulence and grandeur.
