Arranging priorities while visiting a place like Paris can be a tremendously difficult task. Below are the top must-see places for people that wish to be able to sample some of the defining beauty of the City of Lights. This is definitely not an inclusive list, but visiting these places does give you much of the quintessential Parisian experience.
The Eiffel Tower
It would be an absolute travesty if you neglected to visit the Eiffel tower when in Paris. This iconic structure is 325 meters high, and is a true wonder to behold. The famous tower was built by Gustave Eiffel for the Paris World Exhibition of 1889.Until the completion of the Chrysler Building in New York, it even held the position of the world’s highest building. It is the most visited place in France after the Notre-Dame-de-Paris cathedral. Ascending it lets you singular views of the Paris’s spectacular beauty.
Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum, which is located in the heart of Paris, is statistically the most visited place in the world. This historic building is situated in an area covering 210,000 square meters, and was built in the late 12th Century during the reign of Philip II. It was originally a fortress, and that can be clearly understood from a look at the basement.
Château de Versailles
The Château de Versailles, a structure symbolizing the French monarchy, is an original masterpiece. It has served as a home to King Louis XIV, as well as his descendants Louis XV and Louis XVI. Louis XIV left his trace in this world by transforming this building into a thing of exceptional beauty. This stunning castle is open to public daily, from 09:00 am to 06:30 pm, except on Mondays. The Trianons and the Hameau sections only stay open at noon.
Notre-Dame-de-Paris
The Notre-Dame-de-Paris cathedral located at the Île de la Cité, was the main symbol of Paris before the construction of the Eiffel Tower. It was also the center of Victor Hugo’s romantic novel, Notre-Dame de Paris. Another point of significance is that Napoleon Bonaparte’s coronation ceremony was held here.
Père Lachaise Cemetery
The le Père Lachaise cemetery, one of the famous cemeteries in the world is also the biggest cemetery in Paris. Many celebrities including Edith Piaf, Eugène Delacroix, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Jean de la Fontaine, are buried there. The cemetery is open every day from 08:00 am to 05:30 pm with no entrance fee in particular.