1. Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower (la Tour Eiffel), one of the most recognizable structures on earth, represents Paris. The Eiffel Tower still manages to astound visitors, even when they have a clear mental picture of it from a postcard, movie, or keychain before they even arrive. This 324-meter-tall architectural marvel is a true work of art. The structure, which is made up of 18,000 iron sections, is held together by 2.5 million rivets, a feat of engineering.
The Eiffel Tower has an airy lattice architecture that gives it the appearance of lightness, despite its enormous weight, of a ballerina in motion. The “Iron Lady” is another name for the elegant tower. Many people ponder the purpose of the Eiffel Tower’s construction in light of its distinctive architectural design. Its original raison d’être was to serve as the entry to the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair).
Visitors must proceed to the East Pillar (Pilier Est) or West Pillar in order to use the elevator to reach the first and second floors (Pilier Ouest). Visitors can purchase tickets right away at the ticket offices located at the East and West Pillars. However, it is advised to order tickets online well in advance. For those who would prefer to take the stairs, there are tickets available for immediate purchase at the South Pillar (Pilier Sud) ticket office. The stairs lead to the first and second floors. An information desk and a gift shop are located at the West Pillar (Pilier Ouest). There is a shop selling souvenirs of the Eiffel Tower on the East Pillar (Pilier Est).
Beautiful landscaping has recently been added to the gardens surrounding the esplanade of the Eiffel Tower. While standing in line to enter the tower, visitors may savor the lush vegetation. For your convenience, use the east entrance to the gardens rather than the south entrance. The esplanade also contains a cafeteria, where visitors may grab snacks or have a leisurely lunch before exploring the Eiffel Tower.
The Journal Officiel held a contest in 1887 to find a tower that would be displayed during the fair. The winning idea was submitted by businessman Gustave Eiffel, architect Stephen Sauvestre, and working engineers. Though the tower was only designed to stand for 20 years, it has become the most recognized element of the Paris skyline. For travelers, visiting this icon is often a highlight of their journey to Paris.
There are two fantastic possibilities for individuals who want the ideal picture of themselves with the Eiffel Tower in the background: The Place du Trocadero provides a stunning vantage point across the river from the Eiffel Tower. The Champ de Mars, which is closer to the tower, enables visitors to take pictures either very near to the monument or a little farther away, depending on where the pictures are taken in the park. It is simple to shoot pictures from either of these spots that will turn into cherished reminders of the trip. Early in the day or late in the day are the best times to take pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower.
2. Galeries Lafayette
According to the Council of Europe of the European Union, residents in 50 nations commemorate Europe’s cultural heritage once a year. The French Ministry of Culture and Communication created it in 1984 to inspire individuals to rediscover a variety of sites and landmarks for free or at a discounted price. Since 1999, the motto of the European Heritage Days (EHD) has been “Europe, a collective heritage.”
A year marked its 122nd anniversary, and it has expanded more than a thousand times from 70sqm when it originally opened to 70,000sqm today. It currently has a significant number of stores both inside and outside of France, operating out of three different buildings in Paris. As a result, Galeries Lafayette is still run by the heirs of the founders, making it one of Paris’ most successful family enterprises.
The name was derived from the fact that the different businesses within the Galleries Lafayette were lined up in a straight line, much like a gallery (“Galeries”). The name “Lafayette” originated from the first store, which was situated at 1 rue Lafayette. As Galeries Lafayette prospered, it purchased more land for development, eventually settling a few streets away at its current location: boulevard Haussmann. The design of new expansion buildings has altered over time as architectural trends have changed. As a result, from the exterior, one could see the older building in the Art Nouveau style next to the contemporary one in the Art Deco style.
Nonetheless, the large department store’s most known icon has to be its majestic glass dome. It was constructed in 1912 in under 5 months using the same methodology as the Eiffel Tower. It has endured the test of time since its construction, and no major restoration work has been undertaken as of now. This is only achievable with meticulous planning and dome maintenance; for instance, an external layer shields the delicate dome from the environment and fluctuations in temperature. Metal supports each individual glass panel, preventing the glass from shattering on customers below if it breaks.
The dome is illuminated all day long, giving it a lovely glow from below even at night. They claim it’s one of the hidden secrets that enable guests to take full advantage of the shopping and relaxation experience while slipping away from time.
The dome’s pillars are ornamented with various coats of arms. These coats of arms belonged to the cities whose production of high-end goods, like silk, cotton, and other items, made it possible for Galeries Lafayette to thrive.
3. Moulin Rouge
The ‘Moulin Rouge opened in Paris on October 6, 1889, at the foot of the Montmartre hill. Two businessmen and their manager noticed the public’s preferences and chose to pander to the incredibly wealthy by allowing them to slum it in the renowned Montmartre region. The cabaret establishment was an immediate hit.
The building’s façade was decked with sparkling lights, which were a novelty at the time, as well as a large red windmill at the very front. The red windmill was constructed to represent Montmartre’s origins as a hamlet with multiple windmills.
The ‘Moulin Rouge burned down in 1915, and when it was reconstructed, it experienced many alterations as it struggled to find its position in French society.
It was briefly repurposed into a cinema in the 1950s, with a diner-spectacle presentation. It is now a tourist attraction that provides musical and dance entertainment.
The Moulin Rouge is a show that takes place in the Moulin Rouge in Paris.
It’s a cabaret that provides a rowdy dinner accompanied by a fantastic musical revue. Topless women dance with whirls of feather boas, sparkles, and sequins in wild and colorful dance performances. The show, according to the Moulin Rouge, is suitable for all ages.
The Moulin Rouge’s charm originates from its ambiance, which is reminiscent of turn-of-the-century Paris.
The color red is associated with love, passion, and… erotism. As a result, it’s no wonder that it’s been chosen for places dedicated to pleasure.
And red stands out brightly! What more enticing and distinctive color to make the cabaret than this?
It was and still is impossible to miss the red windmill.
The windmill’s builders installed lights on the façade to ensure that its silhouette could be seen from afar at night. One of the earliest structures in Paris to be electrified was the Moulin Rouge.
An efficient theatre
Ten years after a horrific fire destroyed the Moulin Rouge in 1915, it was rebuilt. At that time, Mistinguet—an actress, dancer, and singer—became the cabaret’s co-director, leaving her mark on its history. She directed the sewing shop and was the lead in the 1925 play Revue Mistinguett. Despite its 1944 performances, the Moulin Rouge was substantially less successful during WWII, and its 1,500 seats were repurposed into a dance club.
There are no signs that the “revues,” or performances divided into multiple scenes that are viewed while dining at the Moulin Rouge, will slow down. The Moulin Rouge’s history is retold by 80 performers the following night. It is necessary to make a reservation for an evening at the cabaret, but as you get inside the majestic space where so many brilliant artists performed, you’ll understand that the wait was well worth it.
4. Catacomb of Paris
The final resting place for 6 million Parisians is the Catacombs, a network of tunnels and ancient stone quarries that was converted into a cemetery throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. In stark contrast to the bustling streets of Paris above, the tranquil Catacombs, a mysterious but well-known city of the dead, are situated.
The phrase “Catacombs of Paris” evokes a variety of lovely or frightful images in our minds.
With more than 300 kilometers of connected underground tubes running through them, the granite foundations of Paris resemble a huge piece of Swiss cheese.
The Catacombs are only a small portion of the extensive network of tunnels that extend thousands of kilometers beneath the streets of Paris. When the city grew and spread outward, the extensive network of limestone quarries that made up these tunnels was abandoned, leaving a network of subterranean passageways in their wake.
Paris’ cemeteries were overflowing with bodies at the same time. Because of the terrible conditions, effluents from the tombs spilled into Paris’s waterways. By the 18th century, sewage was poisoning the water and flooding Paris’s streets. The dead couldn’t be buried anywhere. The worst of them all was the cemetery of the Saints-Innocents, which contained about 2 million corpses.
To make matters worse, a foundation wall in a structure close to the cemetery collapsed in 1780 due to the weight of the mass burial behind it.
These tunnels have had a big impact on Parisian history.
But what precisely is the history of this strange underworld? The solution is astonishingly simple and much less intriguing than the more complex flights.
The 14th arrondissement of Paris is home to the “official” portion of the catacombs. This section of the tunnel, which extends more than 1.7 kilometers and 20 meters below the Parisian surface, is visible to the general public. Visitors can enter this eerie underworld next to the Place Denfert-Rochereau at a reasonable charge. With about 300,000 visitors a year, this is currently a City of Paris museum (managed by the Musée Carnavalet).
Over several of the city’s neighborhoods, this labyrinth beneath the City of Light extends. Many urban explorers find the ‘unofficial’ area of the catacombs to be a daunting endeavor due to its size and abundance of mystery. Since the 1970s, several of them have ventured beyond the Place Denfert-Rochereau into perilous terrain, finding numerous long-lost or secret entrances to satisfy their curiosity in the world below. They must be very committed to risking arrest, leptospirosis, rats, collapsed tunnels, and rising water levels… all the while working in full silence, at a constant 14 degrees, at a depth of 20 meters (lower than the sewers and the Metro). The Paris Catacombs are not for the faint of heart, to put it mildly.
5. Orsay Museum
In ancient palaces or former estates, museums are typically located in Paris. The Orsay Museum is situated at a former train station. But this isn’t your typical train station. You’ll enter the sculpture hall after past the gift shop and the reception desk. Numerous works from the 19th century are on show, some of which are by the French artist Jean Baptiste Carpeaux.
My personal favourite in this section is “Les Quatre Parties du monde soutenant la sphère celeste,” a plaster sculpture by Carpeaux from 1872. In English, this is known as “The Four Parts of the World Holding the Celestial Sphere.” That is precisely what it shows. Europe, Asia, Africa, and America are each represented by one of the four individuals holding up the sphere. Another strong argument in favor of going is the vicinity of the Orsay Museum. The Orsay Museum is located on the left bank, close above the river. There are two things to see around the museum.
The first choice is to stroll along Les Berges de Seine, which are the banks of the Seine (the Seine Banks). From the Royal Bridge, which is close to the Orsay Museum, to the Alma Bridge, which is close to the Eiffel Tower, there is a pedestrian bridge that has been turned into a strolling and entertainment area. A veritable sanctuary of quiet in the middle of the city, free from the stress of traffic and noises, it features children’s playgrounds, floating gardens, sporting courses, flower beds, and open-air cafés. The main benefit is the abundance of places to take a nap beside the river, including self-serve beanbags, loungers, and even tepees if you want to doze off in the shade. The pedestrian area is 2,3 kilometers long, allowing you to enjoy an hour of peaceful, sunny walking if you just want to stroll.
Another option is to continue walking, this time to the museum’s right. Despite being very different from the first walk, this one retains just as much fascination due to its cultural and visual qualities. The beloved residence of Paris’s antique traders is the Quai Voltaire (Voltaire Bank). Along with archaeological finds, sculptures, and works of art, there are several antique galleries. One of Paris’ major draws is its fascination with the combination of the old and beautiful. Once you arrive at the Quai Malaquai (Malaquai Bank), another refuge for creatives and dreamers, keep walking. The dark green boxes you see on the sidewalk are “bouquinistes” stores or bookstores. With their affordable secondhand and vintage books, they are a true Parisian institution. It stretches over more than 3 kilometers alongside the river and has been a real tradition in Paris since the sixteenth century. Look at the books, old postcards, and fake rock posters from the 1960s and 1970s as you stroll by them. In places like these, you can actually feel the energy of Paris.
6. Romantic Life Museum
Not what you might anticipate is the Romantic Life Museum in Paris. Learning is more important than cuddling at the Museum. Instead, it emphasizes the Romantic artistic movement of the 19th century. Additionally, it served as Ary Scheffer’s former residence and studio.
A yearning to go back to the Medieval and Renaissance eras gave rise to the Romantic Movement. More emphasis was placed on the value of strong emotion and individuality. Romanticism flourished in a variety of media, not just the visual arts. Also included were the arts, literature, theatre, philosophy, and social sciences. The Museum’s extensive collection honors the Romantics and Scheffer and includes some of its best works from the time. Included are the personal effects of prominent painters from the era.
Beaux-arts, Art Graphics, Memorabilia, and Archives make up the four divisions of the Museum of the Romantic Life’s holdings.
Serving tea
When visiting the Museum of the Romantic Life in Paris, be sure to stop by the Rose Bakery tea shop. It’s in the garden of the Museum, so you won’t be let down. With locations in London, New York, Tokyo, and Paris, they are experts in their field. The tea room offers a wonderful selection of sweets and drinks. The Museum allows guests to relax and take a break in Ary Scheffer’s garden.
The romance author George Sand is given a lot of room in this literary museum. The permanent collection includes sentimental items from Sand’s home as well as several romantic canvases that she possessed. There is a tranquil garden with benches and chairs between the two homes. The City of Paris manages this free museum.
When it comes to museums, it doesn’t get much more intriguing or romantic than this. She was a well-known artist, and he collected art. Together, Edouard André and Nélie Jacquemart spent their entire lives amassing works of art from all over the world. In 1875, they built a house to house their artwork. The mansion is now a museum dedicated to their memories and belongings. Visit the Italian Museum, the Winter Garden, and the café for a cup of tea (located in what was formerly their lavish dining room).
In the same year that the Eiffel Tower was constructed for the same occasion, the French government commissioned Rodin’s well-known sculpture of lovers in an embrace, The Kiss, for the Universal Exhibition in 1889.
Today, you may view The Kiss, go through the grounds to see additional sculptures by Rodin, and then enter the Hotel Biron, which is housed in a grand mansion in the 7th Arrondissement and is where he lived and worked. One of the most lovely and romantic museums in the City of Romance, with its garden, is the Musée Rodin, which was depicted in the movie Midnight in Paris.
7. Louvre Museum
A collection of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from the 7th millennium BC to the nineteenth century can be found in the Louvre, a former royal palace that is now one of the most significant art museums in the world. The three wings and five levels of the Louvre may intimidate visitors, but there are five places you shouldn’t miss.
artwork
Nearly 10,000 artworks can be seen at the Musée du Louvre. And approximately 3000 of them are on display. Of course, the most well-known is Leonardo da Vinci’s, Mona Lisa. Everything is jammed around her, and she is fairly small. Not that the Mona Lisa isn’t significant, but I think there are more intriguing paintings at the Louvre than that one. Turning away from this well-known piece of art, you will notice a huge picture that is as wonderful. Near the Mona Lisa, I also stumbled upon some Botticelli frescoes that I admired. There are so many paintings to pick from that I’m confident you’ll find something you like. As a result, don’t just look at the Mona Lisa. Because the Louvre has so many more great paintings.
Fabulous sculptures
I must confess that I am a major lover of the sculptures in the Musée du Louvre. That’s a good thing because there are over 35,000 of them in the Louvre. Of course, only roughly 7500 are on show at any given moment. The classic sculpture Venus de Milo can be located in the Louvre. It’s starting to appear a little crowded around her. She deserves praise since she is beautiful. However, don’t skip taking a look at the other sculptures—they’re amazing! There are countless additional incredible sculptures. They are in great numbers. All of the artists and works of art are foreign to me. I’m just blown away by how a sculptor builds a sculpture out of marble, clay, or whatever. It appears to be really challenging to complete. I came to see a sculpture of the Greek goddess Artemis that I admire. So, savor the amazing sculptures and spend your time admiring them.
Great jewels
Oh, the glittering objects! The gem on top of a collection of jewels kept in the Musée du Louvre is the French Crown Jewels. The Galerie d’Apollon is where you may find these amazing pieces of art (more on that later). They’re also attractive. Additionally, jewels can be discovered throughout the museum, especially in the sections dedicated to Egyptian and Greek antiquities. On the other hand, it would be a mistake to ignore the French Crown Jewels.
8. Aquarium of Paris
As you explore coral and a coral reef from Tahiti, which is an important element of the ecosystem, you will observe innumerable tropical fish, anemones, and jellyfish among other things. After that, you can investigate the underwater habitat of New Caledonia, which is home to gorgeous fish like triggerfish and balloon fish as well as a number of other unusual species that you would never see in your lifetime.
Another section is devoted to the Guyana River, which features tropical freshwater fish like Piranha and Angelfish, as well as many more species including seahorses and clownfish. You may also witness unique and exquisitely colored Caribbean fish like the Butterflyfish in this area.
Going from one area to another through a transparent tunnel allows you to watch the fish and sharks swimming above and around you for an even more unusual experience.
It’s a distinctive choice.
The Paris Aquarium is a good choice for the eccentric hipster. Just look at the hashtag on social media if you don’t believe me. Along with families with young children and tourists, young creative persons are another community drawn to the serene stillness of its tanks.
They have a valid motive for coming. It’s a lovely, peaceful, slightly “different” place to think and generate ideas. Walking past some of the tanks gives off an odd, foggy feeling.
Consider taking a bench seat in front of the aquarium and observing life if you’re having problems adopting mindfulness techniques to clear your mind.
Sharks are a pretty interesting and fascinating topic. There are a number of different ways to peer inside their tank: The first is with a fish-eye lens that creates a bubble effect that makes them appear smaller and cuter, and the second is as you round the curve and enter a full-on observatory with many chairs.
The cool crowd also descends at night because the Aquarium transforms into a nightclub, which is one of its unique attractions!
The Aquarium’s own “Zen Farm,” a Normandy-based agricultural enterprise, provides the farm-fresh veggies, while all of the meat is imported from France. Given that it is located less than 200 kilometers from Paris, it is also where they keep their hens. They may make sure that everything provided in their café and restaurant is free of pesticides and genetically modified organisms in this way.
Even if the Paris Aquarium doesn’t have some of the world’s most famous museums’ treasures on exhibit or the romantic architecture that extends as far as the eye can see in central Paris, it nevertheless has a powerful allure.
You’ll notice it as soon as you pass the reception desk and down the ramp into the aquarium. After a while, your eyes get used to the low lighting and glowing tanks.
There are many gorgeous species in the aquarium’s chambers, but if I had to choose only one that stood out, it would be the Medusarium.
9. Villette Park
There are many additional cultural attractions in the city, such as theatres, themed gardens, a cinema, as well as fantastic museums. The Villette Park is one of Paris’s best parks, with 55 hectares of outdoor space and the city’s largest green area.
The park was designed by Bernard Tschumi as a place to escape the bustle of the city, whether it be for a leisurely stroll, a leisurely bike ride, or just to take in the themed gardens, such the Bamboo Garden, which is home to over 30 different species of bamboo.
In actuality, there are about 3,000 trees in the Treille garden, in addition to many other kinds of plants, flowers, and vines. The Garden of Iles, the Ombres garden, and the Equilibres garden in particular, which were all built with spectacular lighting effects, make visiting the park at night a magnificent experience.
The Ourcq Canal runs through the park, and there are a number of water features like fountains, beautiful ponds, and waterfalls that all add to the park’s tranquil and peaceful ambiance for those who enjoy being near water.
The park’s 10 themed gardens are connected by a paved blue walkway. The gardens also have three kid-friendly play areas, one of which is called the Garden of Dragon and has a large steel sculptured dragon with a 24m slide in it.
Visitor enticements
There are so many varied things to see and do in the Villette park that you can amuse every member of the family, regardless of age.
The Grande Halle, a former slaughterhouse that has been listed as a historical site in Paris, is where we should start. However, this building has undergone a complete renovation and is currently used as a location for events, fairs, and exhibitions.
The Argonaute is a decommissioned submarine that has been converted into a museum with displays and a visitor center where you can learn more about the French navy, submarines, etc.
The largest science museum in Europe, the Cite des Sciences Industry, or simply the Cite des Sciences, is situated directly across from the Argonaute and features a planetarium, areas specifically designated for kids and teenagers, exhibits on everything from microbiology to weightlessness, simulator rides, and much more.
The renowned Conservatoire National Superior of Music and Dance in Paris also has over 1,000 students and is home to studios, a library, and many other facilities.
The Paris Philharmonic Orchestra’s home is the Philharmonic, which you may also visit. Because it is a more recent addition to this cultural park, you can climb to the top and take in the views before going back to Villette Park.
10. Paris’s Disneyland
You definitely didn’t travel to France to visit Disneyland Paris, but if you can, I urge you to do so. Not only is it fun to visit, but it also has a tonne of intriguing and funny facts.
If you’re heading to Disneyland Paris, you should be cautious… The dragon is waiting for you beneath the renowned castle. And trust me when I tell you that the guards that are sleeping won’t keep you safe.
With a length of 24 meters (79 feet) and a weight of 2.5 tonnes, the dragon is the largest animatronic in the amusement park (5,511 pounds).
There are various distinctive beds in the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs store.
Next to the castle in Disneyland Paris is the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs store. Like in the movies, every single bed is present and neatly arranged. But the theme park, are laden with merchandise. Even the mirrors are stunning at Disneyland Paris.
If you follow Doc, Bashful, Sneezy, Happy, Dopey, Sleepy, and Grumpy to the store I just mentioned, you’ll find a very special mirror. Snow White can occasionally be seen in the mirror directly in front of the E. You can get your beard trimmed at Disneyland Paris.
Barbers are available at every Disneyland globally, thus visiting Disneyland Paris is not particularly motivated by this. By purchasing the equipment from a retired Chicago barber, Walt Disney wanted to honor his father’s profession.
Even the Statue of Liberty is at Disneyland Paris. Although the real Statue of Liberty hasn’t been to Disneyland Paris, you might witness its unveiling in a quite peculiar place. It’s a wonderful location just next to the barbershop, but avoid it if you’re terrified of mannequins. Frontierland shows how the American West was conquered by Europeans. The wonderful Wild West-themed area of Disneyland Paris is called Frontierland.
However, there are a number of signs that Europe will eventually dominate it. When you arrive, you’ll wander through a Native American camp, then through the first European constructions before landing in Thunder Mesa. Without a doubt, the most picturesque building on the earth is the castle at Disneyland Paris.
Have you ever questioned how Disneyland Paris’ castle appears so beautiful in pictures? That’s because it was carefully built, after all! Being dazzling and pink, the castle has a more faerie-like appearance. It was also tilted to prevent any backlighting.
