paris bucket list: Must-see places

​The City of Love, Paris, is a large European city and the capital of France. The city boasts a large collection of art, awe-inspiring architecture, delicious cuisine, and authentic culture.

Musée d'Orsay
 
Located on the Left Bank of the Siene, this breathtaking museum, once a Beaux-Arts railway station, now houses a vast collection of French Impressionist art, as well as other artistic items created between 1848 and 1914.
 
Luxembourg Gardens
 
Before the French Revolution, these formal gardens were only open to royalty, but they are now one of Paris' most popular relaxation spots.
 
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
 
This famous cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece whose construction began in the 12th century, stands on the Île de la Cité and serves as the city's symbolic heart.
 
The Notre Dame Cathedral will be closed to tourists and worshippers until further notice due to the tragic fire that has destroyed portions of it. Tours may pass by, but do not enter Notre Dame Cathedral. 

"Notre Dame de Paris: A Celebration of the Cathedral" touches on art, architecture, cinematography, the literary world, history and more in this amazingly illustrated book.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through one of the links.
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Moulin Rouge
 
Since 1900, this risqué world-famous cabaret has been thrilling audiences in a 19th-century windmill.
 
Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre
 
Built by the French government in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War, this Montmartre landmark, a 19th-century basilica features a large medieval dome with beautiful views of the city.
 
Sainte-Chapelle
 
The Sainte-Chapelle is France's finest royal chapel, with a truly extraordinary  collection of stained-glass windows. Louis IX built it in the mid-13th century in the heart of the royal residence, the Palais de la Cité. It was constructed to house the relics of Christ's Passion. The Sainte-Chapelle is a jewel of French Gothic architecture, with a unique collection of fifteen glass panels and a large rose window forming a veritable wall of light. UNESCO has designated this site as a world heritage site.
 
Seine River
 
This well-known river flows from east to west through the heart of Paris, dividing the Left and Right Banks.

Palais Garnier
 
The Palais Garnier, also recognized as Opéra Garnier, is a 1,979-seat opera house located on Place de l'Opéra in Paris's 9th arrondissement. Emperor Napoleon III commissioned its construction for the Paris Opera from 1861 to 1875. This theatre hosts opera, ballet and chamber music performances.
 
Eiffel Tower
 
The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on Paris's Champ de Mars. The tower is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose firm designed and built it. It was built from 1887 to 1889 as the centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair and was known locally as "La dame de fer." This massive landmark, completed in 1889, was initially despised by many Parisians but is now a famous symbol of French civic pride.

Arc de Triomphe
 
The Arc de Triomphe was built on Napoleon I's orders in 1806, to commemorate the victories of his Grande Armée. The monument, inspired by the great arches of antiquity, combines the commemorative with the symbolic, and it has always played a significant role in the national republican awareness. Every evening, a flame is lit on the tomb of the Great War's Unknown Soldier. An exhibition depicts the history and explains its symbolic significance, both nationally and internationally. The terrace offers spectacular views of the city and its great sweeping avenues both during the day and at night.
 
Louvre Museum
 
The Louvre, which houses Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, is regarded as the world's greatest art museum, with an unparalleled collection of items spanning the entire spectrum of art throughout the ages.

Paris Guide Books 

​This is just a brief glimpse into what Paris has to offer. Picking up a guide book or two is going to be essential for your travels.