Paris is home to many attractions that guests cannot visit in a short time, that's why it is one of the most visited cities in the world. Let's take a look at the best places to visit in Paris.
Thursday, August 11, 2022
updated
Best Places to Visit in Paris
TRAVEL - EDITORIAL
by Melisa Kaya
Paris is a city full of tourists who come for both leisure and business. Whether you come from different cities in France or from other countries in the world, anyone visiting Paris can enjoy being a tourist. Those who come for a honeymoon, those who come to see the last stage of Le Tour, who come to watch tennis at Roland Garros, or those who come to see the most famous lady of the city, Mona Lisa, add color to the streets of the city. Whether you're going to Paris to do one of these events or experience Paris, you'll need a good trip plan.
Megacities like Paris should not be compared with the small coastal cities where you can walk everywhere. Even if the places you will visit are in the center of Paris, it will take a long time for you to visit them all and you should be prepared. It is imperative that you plan your trip in consideration of the time you plan to stay in Paris, and of course, experiencing the city is not only about visiting palaces and museums, but also tasting local delicacies and street culture.
When you travel to Paris, famous for its cafes and restaurants, it is not the right approach to run from one museum to another and then to a magnificent palace. After each attraction visit, you should take a moment to enjoy Paris, and focus on the sensual and sophisticated atmosphere of this city, which steal the hearts of its guests.
We would love to list all of the places you must visit during your Paris trip, but we don't know how we can do it for a city that smells of history and art on every street. We have brought together some of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris and listed it to help you plan your trip. Paris, with its exceptional buildings, unique palaces, museums full of art and history, desserts, wines, and unique flavors, will give you an unforgettable experience.
Paris is identified with the Eiffel Tower. But when you visit Paris, to understand why this city of love is a city of art, it is necessary to visit the Louvre Museum and visit all its halls. But don't worry about the long queue in front of the door, because the unique artifacts you will see will take the tiredness of every minute you wait.
The Louvre Museum, the world's largest art museum, was built as the Louvre castle in the 12th and 13th centuries. The Louvre castle, which is legendary with its splendor, was turned into the primary residence of the French Kings by Francis I in 1546. In 1682, when Louis XIV chose the Palace of Versailles as his residence, the Louvre became a place where the royal collection was exhibited and fully dedicated to art. After its first construction, it has expanded and renovated many times and reached its current size. The Louvre, which was decided to become a museum after the French Revolution, opened its doors on August 10, 1793, as a museum.
The Louvre Museum hosts 380,000 artistic objects, 35,000 of which are displayed. His collections, including Egyptian, Near Eastern, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman antiquities, attract visitors from around the world to the Louvre Museum. And perhaps many visitors visit to see Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Starting your Paris tour with closely seeing the world's most famous artwork will surely inspire you. On the other hand, seeing the Louvre Pyramid designed by Ieoh Ming Pei, which has led to much controversy, will remind you that Paris is the city of extremes. You will see this diversity in Paris, just like the Louvre Museum, where modern architecture and ancient art come together.
Eiffel Tower
Best Places to Visit in Paris - Eiffel Tower
You can't visit almost any of the best places to visit in Paris in an hour or two. First of all, Paris is one of the most tourist-attracting cities in the world, and every tourist attraction you visit is crowded. But the main reason for the long visits is that you won't want to leave anywhere you go in Paris. Eiffel Tower is the place where you can enjoy the views of that unique city.
Designed by Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower was built from 1887 to 1889 for the 1889 World's Fair. The Eiffel Tower, whose design has led to controversy among politicians and artists, has become the symbol of Paris. It was the highest human-made building in the world from its construction in 1889 to the 1930s when the Chrysler Building was built.
Eiffel Tower is 324 meters tall, and there are three levels to visit. At the first level, there is the 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant. And in the second level of the Eiffel Tower, there is the Michelin-starred Jules Verne. Jules Verne is one of the best options if you want to enjoy unforgettable French delicacies with a magnificent view of Paris. However, it is important to note that the prices are high compared to the general restaurant prices. But without eating anything, you can go up to the third level of the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the view of Paris.
Your visit to the Eiffel Tower is not only about climbing the tower and watching Paris, but you should walk around slowly. And before leaving Eiffel Tower, please look at the Eiffel Tower from a distance and observe this magnificent structure, which was built using 7,300 tons of puddled iron.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Best Places to Visit in Paris - Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, unfortunately, burned for 15 hours on April 15, 2019, and was heavily damaged. Previously, you had the chance to see that magnificence closely, but now you have to be content with seeing the burned version of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris from the outside. It was very painful to watch the burning of one of the most important historical heritages in world history. Hopefully, the restoration will be completed as soon as possible.
The construction of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the most magnificent examples of French Gothic Architecture, started in 1160, and most of it was completed in 1260. And renovations have been made continuously for centuries, and this magnificent work has survived to the present day.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris gained its popularity with the novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, written by Victor Hugo in 1831. The success of this novel led to the major renovation between 1844 and 1864. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, which has become one of the most important symbols of Paris and even France, attracts visitors from both local and abroad. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Pari captivates tourists with its magnificent architecture and the artworks it hosts.
Even if you can not see the interior details and unique beauty at the moment, if you want to say that I have visited Paris, you have to go even to see it from the outside. It is stated that the necessary work will be done to complete the restoration, which is planned to start in 2021, before the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Maybe a little long term but hope to have the opportunity to visit Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris four years later.
Arc de Triomphe
Best Places to Visit in Paris - Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe is an indispensable part of Paris travel. If you leave Paris without seeing Arc de Triomphe closely and photographing the unique sculptures and reliefs that adorn this magnificent monument, your trip to Paris is considered incomplete.
Arc de Triomphe, located in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle on the western end of the Champs-Élysées, seems to mark the center of Paris. The 50-meter-high Arc de Triomphe has a width of 45 meters and a depth of 22 meters.
Emperor Napoleon ordered the construction in 1806 after the Battle of Austerlitz victory. Jean Chalgrin, one of the famous architects of the period, took the responsibility, and only the construction of the base of this magnificent monument took two years. In 1810, when Napoleon returned to Paris, although Arc de Triomphe was not yet completed, Jean Chalgrin presented his mock-up made of wood to the emperor.
After the death of Jean Chalgrin in 1811, Jean-Nicolas Huyot took over the project. The Arc de Triomphe, whose construction was interrupted for a long time, was completed in 1836 by Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury. When arrived in France, Napoleon's corpse passed under the Arc de Triomphe while he was taken to the Invalides on December 15, 1840.
On the walls of Arc de Triomphe, there are 4 sculptures, 6 reliefs, and the names of wars and commanders that had decisive importance in the history of France. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with its everlasting fire since its first day, honors soldiers who died in the First World War. Seeing all these details, one by one, will add hundreds of years of history to your Paris trip.
Champs-Élysées
Best Places to Visit in Paris - Champs-Élysées
When you visit Arc de Triomphe, you actually visit Champs-Élysées, but no matter how glamorous this giant square is, it's a small part of this magnificent avenue. Champs-Élysées avenue, 1.9 kilometers long and 70 meters wide, stretches between the Place de la Concorde and the Place Charles de Gaulle. And The Arc de Triomphe is located in the western end of the Champs-Élysées. Champs-Élysées is an important part of Axe Historique, connecting France's historical values. Even on the shortest trip to Paris, it is necessary to see Axe Historique.
Champs-Élysées, one of the most recognized avenues in the world, is one of the symbols of Paris. For many Paris lovers, visiting Paris means spending time in cafes, theaters, and luxury shops on this avenue. And if the time of your visit to Paris coincides, watching the Bastille Day military parade there and enjoying the excitement of the last stage of the Tour de France cycle race at Champs-Élysées are unique experiences.
The current avenue and parking system were laid out in 1667 by André Le Nôtre. The urban planning that goes far beyond its time distinguishes Paris from other big cities. The drawings of Champs-Élysées made in 1724 are the same as the avenue today. In 1838, street lamps were added on the sidewalks and there are still lamps from that date.
There are boutiques of luxury brands on the Champs-Élysées and their history dates back to the 1860s. These luxury stores that managed to organize in those days not only helped to protect the charm of Champs-Élysées but also made Paris one of the most popular travel destinations for the world's wealthy and high society throughout the years that every brand could not be found in every city. Champs-Élysées is one of the best places to visit in Paris and is home to some others.
Musée d'Orsay
Best Places to Visit in Paris - Musée d'Orsay
Two types of Paris travel can be considered. In one, enjoying the streets and alleys of the city of Paris, tasting unique flavors in cafés, and lots of shopping. The other option is to run from museum to museum and take pictures of anything that can be photographed. Of course, Paris tourists who have enough time and can do both are the luckiest.
The Musée d'Orsay is also one of the must-visit places in Paris. Located on the banks of the Seine river, the Musée d'Orsay manages to impress its visitors with its magnificent architecture even before they go inside. The building, which used to be a train station and is called Gare d'Orsay, was built between 1898 and 1900. Gare d'Orsay, which provides great convenience to passengers thanks to its central location, served as a train station until 1939, and then it was converted into a maintenance center because it could not meet the needs of the period.
In the 1970s, the decision to demolish was turned from the verge, and then it was decided to turn it into a museum, and a competition was held for its design in 1978. After the construction of the building was completed in July 1986, the works were placed in 6 months and the official opening of the Musée d'Orsay was held in December 1986. It soon became one of the best places to visit in Paris.
The Musée d'Orsay mainly houses French artworks from 1848 to 1914. The Musée d'Orsay's collection, which mainly consists of paintings and sculptures, includes works by many famous artists, including Monet, Berthe Morisot, Manet, Renoir, Degas, Camille Pissarro, Gauguin, édouard Vuillard and Van Gogh. This makes the Musée d'Orsay one of the must-visit places in Paris.
Palace of Versailles
Best Places to Visit in Paris - Palace of Versailles
Montmartre
Best Places to Visit in Paris - Montmartre
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