Paris

Paris Essentials

Paris is defined by its architectural evolution, from the 13th-century Gothic stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle to the high-tech design of the Centre Pompidou. This collection spans the city's most significant landmarks, including the 330-meter Eiffel Tower, the monumental Arc de Triomphe, and the historic Louvre Palace. Beyond grand boulevards like the Champs-Élysées, the list covers the medieval streets of Le Marais, the Impressionist collections housed in the former Orsay train station, and the vast underground ossuary of the Catacombs.

Editor's Choice

This collection highlights diverse Parisian landmarks, from the modern 210-meter Montparnasse Tower and its 56th-floor observation deck to the 19th-century neo-gothic Sainte-Clotilde Basilica with its distinctive twin spires. Visitors can explore surrealist sculptures and engravings at Espace Dalí or engage with science exhibits at the Palais de la Découverte within the Grand Palais. For panoramic cityscapes, the list includes both the high-altitude views from Montparnasse and the terraced gardens of Belleville Park, situated on a 108-meter hill.

Parisian Hidden Gems

This selection highlights lesser-known Paris sites with distinct histories and features: the Canal Saint-Martin with its locks and iron footbridges; the elevated Coulée verte René-Dumont built on a former railway viaduct; the vast Bois de Boulogne with its lakes and English-style landscape; 19th-century covered Passage Brady; the cliff-top Temple de la Sybille on Île du Belvédère; Jean Nouvel’s Fondation Cartier for contemporary exhibitions; and small specialist museums and gardens showcasing sculpture and Asian plant collections.

Iconic Cafes and Bars

This selection spans centuries of Parisian social history, from the Belle Époque elegance of Angelina and Café de la Paix to the bohemian spirit of Montmartre's La Maison Rose and Au Lapin Agile. It includes cinematic landmarks like the Café des Deux Moulins, historic cocktail institutions like Harry’s New York Bar, and innovative modern spaces such as Fluctuart, a floating urban art gallery and bar on the Seine.

Historic Churches and Religious Sites

Paris’s religious landscape spans over a millennium of architectural evolution. This selection features iconic Gothic masterpieces like Notre-Dame and the stained-glass-filled Sainte-Chapelle, alongside the Romano-Byzantine Sacré-Cœur and the Neoclassical Pantheon. Beyond major basilicas, the list includes the 7th-century Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, the Art Nouveau Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre, and the Grand Synagogue of Paris. These sites serve as active places of worship, national monuments, and final resting places for France's most influential historical figures, showcasing the city's diverse spiritual and artistic heritage.

Historic Sites & Monuments

This collection traces the architectural and political evolution of Paris through its most significant landmarks. It encompasses medieval Gothic masterpieces like Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, the royal fortifications of Vincennes Castle, and the 17th-century elegance of Vosges Square. The selection highlights the city's transformation across eras, from the revolutionary history of the Conciergerie and the Napoleonic grandeur of the Arc de Triomphe to industrial-age icons like the Eiffel Tower and the ornate Art Nouveau design of the Pont Alexandre III.

Iconic Paris Landmarks

This collection spans centuries of Parisian history, from the medieval Gothic architecture of Notre-Dame and the Saint-Jacques Tower to the 19th-century ironwork of the Eiffel Tower. It features monumental arches like the Arc de Triomphe and historic river crossings such as the 16th-century Pont Neuf and the ornate Art Nouveau Pont Alexandre III. Significant public squares, including Place de la Concorde with its ancient Luxor Obelisk and the luxury-focused Place Vendôme, showcase neoclassical and baroque urban planning alongside military monuments like Les Invalides.

Art and Museums of Paris

Paris's artistic landscape spans centuries, from the Gothic stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame to the contemporary Pinault Collection at the Bourse de Commerce. The city features world-renowned institutions like the Louvre, set in a historic palace, and the Musée d'Orsay, housed in a converted Beaux-Arts train station. Specialized collections range from Monet’s Water Lilies at the Orangerie and Rodin’s sculptures to Asian antiquities at the Musée Guimet and modern masterworks within the high-tech Centre Pompidou and Frank Gehry-designed Louis Vuitton Foundation.

Parks and Gardens of Paris

Paris features a diverse collection of green spaces, from formal 17th-century royal layouts like the Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens to the expansive English-style woodlands of the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes. This selection includes historic squares such as the neoclassical Place de la Concorde and the symmetrical Place des Vosges. Notable highlights include the artificial cliffs and lake of Buttes-Chaumont, the vertical garden at Oasis of Aboukir, and the contemporary cultural complexes within Parc de la Villette.

Iconic Paris Restaurants

Paris’s culinary landscape is defined by its historic institutions. This list features Belle Époque landmarks like Le Train Bleu and Brasserie Bofinger, alongside cinematic spots like Café des Deux Moulins. From the Art Nouveau interiors of Bouillon Chartier to the medieval setting of Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole, these establishments offer a window into the city's artistic and social history, including legendary haunts of Impressionist painters and modern glass-domed fusion spots overlooking the Seine.

Best Shopping and Markets

Paris offers a diverse retail landscape ranging from the Belle Époque architecture of Galeries Lafayette and La Samaritaine to historic 19th-century covered passages like Passage des Panoramas. This collection includes specialized food hubs such as the 18th-century Stohrer bakery and open-air markets like Marché Bastille and the organic Marché des Batignolles. Explore the artisanal boutiques of Le Marais, the flower market on Île de la Cité, and the artist-filled Place du Tertre for a comprehensive overview of Parisian commerce.

Theatres and Cinemas

Paris offers a diverse array of performance venues, ranging from the ornate 19th-century Beaux-Arts architecture of the Palais Garnier to the sleek, modern design of the Opéra Bastille and the Philharmonie de Paris. Film enthusiasts can explore the Art Deco grandeur of the Grand Rex or the extensive archives at the Cinémathèque Française. The collection also includes historic stages like the Théâtre du Châtelet and the avant-garde Théâtre du Soleil, alongside unique structures like the mirror-finished geodesic dome of La Géode cinema.

Sports & Iconic Venues

Paris features a diverse range of athletic facilities, from the Art Deco architecture of Piscine Pailleron to the floating Joséphine Baker pool on the Seine. The city's Olympic history is represented by the Piscine des Tourelles, used in the 1924 Games, while modern venues include the Accor Arena and the elite INSEP training center. These sites span historic racecourses like Longchamp and heritage-listed gymnasiums, serving as both professional arenas and community hubs for swimming and indoor sports.

Versailles

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Reims

Épernay

Giverny

Chartres