Paris Attractions

Almost everyone has heard of most of the top 10 things to do in Paris - its iconic monuments have helped make it the world's most visted city. The Eiffel Tower is a must-see and top of every list. You will catch glimpses of it framed by trees or buildings, or even from elevated sections of the métro. Be brave and go to the top for a fabulous view over the Seine and Notre-Dame cathedral on the Ile de la Cité, the island in the centre of the river. On the opposite side of town, the terrace in front of the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur on top of the Butte Montmartre offers a different, no less magical view - and this one includes the Eiffel Tower. At the Centre Georges-Pompidou, a glass-sided gallery of 20th-century art, you may be distracted from the world-class paintings by the view of the rooftops. Try climbing to the top of the Arc de Triomphe at night for a shining vista down the Champs-Elysées - Paris was first called the City of Light in the 19th century and still glitters. It would be a shame to leave without seeing some of the historic treasures of the Louvre, the world's best museum and home of the Mona Lisa, though many prefer the Musée d'Orsay, whose 19th-century collection includes the Impressionists and the best of Art Nouveau. View Napoleon's tomb and explore the history of France through the exhibitions at Les Invalides but make time to stroll along the banks of the Seine. More splendid monuments and buildings line the various quais and you can browse the wares of the traditional bouquinistes (booksellers) whose stalls have lined the embankments of the Seine since the 17th century. Notre-Dame image © Paris Tourist Office / Amélie Dupont

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