Paris Tourist Sights

Paris is a city with over 2 million people and a metropolitan area of over 12 million people. Visiting this popular city can be overwhelming because there is so much to do and see. Whether you like seeing museums, going shopping, enjoying the outdoors or just walking around a vibrant city, there are some famous Paris tourist sights that should not be missed.

Major Sights

The first thing people think when they think of Paris is the Eiffel Tower. This popular destinations sees over 6 million visitors each year. The tower is located in the 7^th arrondissement, but at over 317 meters it can be seen from all over Paris. When visiting the Eiffel Tower you can choose to buy tickets and see the city from the observation floors, or just appreciate the beauty of the tower from the ground. Be sure to see the tower in both daylight and nighttime in order to see it sparkle. The Arc de Triomphe is centrally located at the intersection of many of Paris's arrondissements. This beautiful structure was started by Napoleon Bonaparte and finished by Louis-Philippe. In order to get to the Arc de Triomphe you can pass underground therefore missing the busy traffic that surrounds it. If you want to get to the top of the Arc you must buy a ticket and take the stairs. Paris's most famous church, The Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris is located in the center of the city. This cathedral is both a popular tourist destination and a place of worship. There is no fee to enter the church or to take part in Catholic worship. When visiting Notre-Dame it is important to remember that this is a functioning church therefore you should be quiet and respectful.

Museums

The Louvre, which is Paris's most famous museum was once a fortress used in the 1100s. The buildings that make up the old part of the museum have gone through many changes before becoming a public museum in 1793. The Louvre continues to change and evolve with the addition of the glass pyramid in 1989. This world famous art museum is home to some of the greatest works of art on earth such as the Mona Lisa. The museum is open every day except for Tuesdays so be sure to plan your visit accordingly. Paris also boasts a Museum of Modern Art. The Museum of Modern Art will provide you with a more contemporary look at art today. This museum which is open Tuesday through Sunday is free to the public for the viewing of the their permanent collections. For a historical look at the great city of Paris try The Musee Carnavalet or the historical legacy of Paris. The museum will give you a look inside Parisian rooms as well as artwork throughout the past three centuries.

Parks

The parks in Paris are a great place for sight seeing, as well as a place that Parisians spend their time. There are many parks in the city such as Jardin de Luxembourg, Jardin des Plantes, and the Bois de Boulogne just to name a few. The Jardin de Luxembourg is a family friendly park that people of all ages can enjoy. The park features play areas for children as well as art exhibitions. The park was opened to the public in the 1600s. Jardin des Plantes is one of the most popular botanic gardens in Paris. Located in the 5^th arrondissement, this park is home to the Natural History Museum as well as a small city zoo. At one time the Jardin des Plantes was a royal garden, but it has been open to the public since 1650. The Bois de Boulogne offers everything you could want in a park. This park is a popular destination for the athletic types who want to run, cycle, or ride horseback. If you are not looking to break a sweat you can enjoy some of the parks many ponds by fishing or simply taking in the stunning views.

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