Paris wears its history and beauty with effortless style. The City of Light is packed with world-famous monuments, and seeing its great landmarks is the perfect way to fall under its spell and get your bearings. Here are the icons to build your trip around.
The Eiffel Tower
No symbol says Paris like the Eiffel Tower. Built for the 1889 World’s Fair and once controversial, this 330-metre iron lattice is now the most beloved sight in the city. Ride or climb to its viewing platforms for sweeping views over the rooftops, or simply admire it from the Champ de Mars or the Trocadéro across the river. Time a visit for dusk, when it sparkles with thousands of lights on the hour after dark. Book tickets online in advance to skip the longest queues.
The Arc de Triomphe
Standing proudly at the top of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought for France. Climb to the rooftop terrace for one of the best views in Paris — including the twelve grand avenues that radiate out below in a star shape. At its base lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with its eternal flame. Use the underground passage to reach it safely, never try to cross the busy roundabout on foot.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame has stood on the Île de la Cité for over 850 years. Famous for its rose windows, flying buttresses, and gargoyles, it was devastated by fire in 2019 and has since been painstakingly restored and reopened. Admiring its magnificent facade and setting by the Seine is free and unforgettable. Check current visiting arrangements before you go, as access can be busy.
The Louvre and its Pyramid
The world’s most-visited museum is also a landmark in its own right. The Louvre’s vast palace and its striking glass pyramid entrance are spectacular, day or night. Even if you don’t go in to see the Mona Lisa, the courtyards and the pyramid make for iconic photographs. If you do visit, book a timed ticket ahead and pick a few highlights rather than trying to see everything.
The Seine and Sacré-Cœur
Two more essentials complete the picture. A stroll or boat cruise along the Seine, past bridges and grand buildings, is one of the loveliest things to do in Paris — especially at sunset. And up in Montmartre, the gleaming white domes of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica crown the city’s highest hill, with a sweeping panorama from its steps that’s free to enjoy.
Seeing the Landmarks
Paris is compact and walkable, with a superb metro network for longer hops. Buy a rechargeable Navigo or a book of tickets, wear comfortable shoes, and try to mix a monument with a riverside walk or a café stop. Reserve timed tickets online for the big sights to save hours of queuing, and time at least one landmark for dusk — Paris is magical once the lights come on.
More Paris guides: explore the full Paris Travel Guides series.
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