I have been to Paris three times now and the city never ceases to amaze me. It is known as the “city of love” and let me tell ya, Paris made me fall in love with it more and more each time I visited. Paris’ monuments, architecture, art, fashion, food, and culture make it a place you have to take a trip to. 

There is so much to do and see in Paris that this blog would become a novel if I wrote it all, but here are the highlights that you don’t want to miss when in Paris: 

Eiffel Tower

The icon of Paris and an obvious must-visit. Definitely take a trip up the tower to get a breathtaking view over the city.  There are shops and restaurants you can visit while at the top. We obviously had to get a macaron and eat it at the top of the Eiffel Tower. Be aware that lines can get long and there are two security check points you have to pass before going up.

Louvre Museum

Art fan or not, this museum is famous and should be visited. If the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum had a baby it would be the Louvre. You can spend HOURS in this museum as there is so much to see and it is ginormous.  Fun fact: the well-known Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci is in the museum. 

Notre-Dame 

There’s no hunchback, but Notre-Dame is a pretty church! You can go inside this medieval Catholic cathedral and climb to the top to get a view over the city.  

Arc de Triomphe

Out of all the arcs i’ve seen, this one tops the list. The Arc de Triomphe is so detailed and immaculate. The arc is dedicated to the armies of the Revolution and the Empire. The Unknown Soldier is also buried at the base of the arc. 

Sacré-Coeur 

Sacré-Coeur is a beautiful basilica in Paris that has gorgeous views of the city from the top. 

Jardin du Luxembourg

This is the perfect place to read a book, have a picnic, and relax. It is split in to French and English gardens and there is a large pond in front of the Luxembourg palace. You can rent mini sail boats to put in the pond (great activity if you have kids). For all my Americans out there, you can go see a mini version of the Statue of Liberty that is located within the gardens. 

Catacombs of Paris

Go see the remains of more than six million people deep within underground tunnels in Paris. This was done in an effort to eliminate Paris’ overflowing cemeteries. I was impressed with how neatly stacked the bones are. Be sure to bring a sweater, it gets chilly down in the tunnels. 

Panthéon 

Located in the Latin Quarter of Paris, the Panthéon is a structure that was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. 

Palais Garnier

The Palais Garnier is a stunning opera house in Paris. The detail, decor, colors, and overall design is out of this world. There are all sorts of events hosted there such as ballets, operas, and concerts.

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

This arc was built to commemorate Napoleon’s military victories. The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is located right near the Louvre Museum.

 There are also lots of gardens, parks, and rivers to wander around and relax at in Paris. One of my favorite things to do is grab some wine and cheese and hang along the river front.

Travel tips:

• BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE! Or you will be waiting in line for a very long time. Most of the main attractions in Paris are not free so you have to buy tickets to go in them.
• The city is spread out so taking the Metro is the quickest way to get from place to place.
• If you are looking for affordable accommodation, Paris has lots of Airbnbs and hostels! Hostelworld is a great website to use for booking.
• Eat all the food and drink all the wine 🙂

If you are traveling around France, check out my other blog about Monaco!