Five of Paris’ Most Unmissable Landmarks

Visiting Paris on a sightseeing holiday might seem like a daunting prospect, simply because there is so much to see. With royal palaces, ancient churches and contemporary glass edifices to choose from, where do you start? While there are clearly plenty of things to do in Paris, my list lets you take a quick look around, without missing any of the most popular attractions.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is probably Paris’ most famous landmark. Rising from the Champ de Mars to over 300 feet, you get a fantastic view over the city from the top. Thankfully, there’s a lift to take you up through the three walkway levels of the tower.

On the first floor, there’s a spectacular glass floor where you’ll get goosebumps as you look all the way down to the esplanade. There are some shops and places to eat on the second floor and on the top floor, there’s a champagne bar and an observation deck where you can feel the wind in your hair. Give yourself a pat on the back when you get there.

Notre Dame Cathedral

In a city of many churches, Notre Dame Cathedral, on the banks of the River Siene, is probably the most famous. With its striking Gothic architecture, the cathedral was immortalised in Victor Hugo’s book ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’.

The cathedral’s bell towers, which have a separate entrance, are an essential part of the experience, but with nearly 400 stairs, it’s not guaranteed that everybody will make it to the top. If you can, the view is really worth it. Of course, the cathedral is not just a visitor attraction, but a working church too.

Seine River

The River Seine flows through the heart of Paris. With historic buildings and familiar landmarks on both banks, there is nothing more enjoyable than taking a river cruise. Escape the hustle and bustle of the crowds and relax, with a glass of wine, on a bateaux Parisien. Generally, the cruises last an hour and although there’s an audio commentary, it’s worthwhile having the travel guide from Expedia on hand to help explain things, as you go along.

You’ll really appreciate the beauty of Paris on an evening cruise. Have dinner and champagne as the city’s most famous monuments, bathed in moonlight, come into view before you.

The Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum, a former royal palace, is one of the world’s largest museums, with thousands of pieces of art on show. Because it’s so big and it’s impossible to see everything in just one visit, check out the thematic visitor trails to find the area you want to focus on. The trails cover everything from Masterpieces to Legend and History. Some of the most famous works held here are Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa painting and the Venus de Milo statue.

Arc de Triomphe

The majestic Arc de Triomphe, stands at the top of the Champs Elysees, on a pedestrian island at the centre of one of Paris’ busiest roundabouts. Inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome, it was commissioned by Napoleon in 1808, to honour the French Imperial Army. Inside, there’s a museum which documents the Arc’s two centuries of history. The viewing deck offers great views over the city too.

You can get a real flavour of Paris by learning about art and history in its museums. Or you might like to follow the path well-trodden and take snaps in front of its standout landmarks. Whatever you do in Paris, you’ll leave with a renewed feeling of joie de vivre.