The Best Places To Visit In Paris France
 |
| The Best Places To Visit In Paris France |
Paris is a trove of wonders — and so it’s tremendously easy to get lost in tourist traps or become overwhelmed with how much there is to do. There’s much to be said of exploring le vrai Paris, i.e. the real Paris, but I’ve found this to be a mélange of tourist attractions and hidden treasures. So I’ll give you the best of both worlds: in this post, a take on the touristy stuff you absolutely must do, and in this post you will know the best places to visit in paris france
1- La Tour Eiffel
 |
| La Tour Eiffel |
I have a tumultuous love affair with the Iron Lady. She’s beautiful, strong-willed and shines brighter than any light I’ve ever seen. Yes, you must see her! But instead of following the herds of tourists who enter the courtyard immediately surrounding this monstrosity, take a slight detour.
Right past the Quai Branly is a bridge (Pont d’Iéna) which connects you to the Jardins du Trocadéro. Here, you’ll find beautiful fountains and a double-sided staircase that allows for a fabulous view of and photos with the Iron Lady (like the one above). Don’t get me wrong, you’ll still see tourists, but they are much more concentrated in the actual square immediately surrounding the Tower.
Another reason I recommend this view: since the terrorist attacks, there is a glass fence surrounding the Tower, and you are subject to long lines and bag checks. My sister and I were turned away because we brought champagne & wine with us (how else are you supposed to do this), but there’s no such restriction at the Gardens.
Final tip for those on a budget: Don’t buy champagne/ wine from any of the stands outside the Tower or the lone salesmen selling it at the gardens. We paid an eye-gouging 23 Euros for 2 small bottles (champagne and red wine), which would have cost us under 10 Euros at the local Monoprix.
So pick up a bottle of bubbly, some macarons from La Durée, and head over to enjoy the stunning views!
2- La Sainte-Chapelle
 |
| La Sainte-Chapelle |
Its one of the best places to visit in paris france Because I’m a huge fan of churches and cathedrals, mainly for their stained glass windows. While the Notre Dame is certainly glorious, I prefer the Sainte-Chapelle. My sister found it before our last trip to Paris, and I was a little ashamed to not even have heard of it. Me!! The person more obsessed with Paris than anyone I’ve ever met! La honte.
Anyway, this cathedral is small, so it won’t take you more than 20 minutes to see it and take photos. You can buy tickets online beforehand (type in skip-the-line Sainte-Chapelle in Google) so that if there is a queue, you won’t be waiting a while. Try to go in the afternoon; with the sun at its fullest (if it’s not one of the infamous rainy days), you’ll have fantastic light pouring through these magnificent fenêtres.
3- Montmartre
 |
Montmartre
|
The picture above is from the top of the Sacré Cœur in Montmartre, the part of Paris from which some of the world’s most talented artists drew inspiration (e.g. Picasso). With a bird’s eye view of the entire city, the climb to the top is something I highly recommend.
Yes, you can do it! I do not work out maniacally. I walk my dog every day, but that’s the extent of my “fitness”. Needless to say, climbing the 300+ stairs to get to the top was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. I had to take tons of breaks, and I almost didn’t go all the way up because I had had enough!
But man am I glad I did. The view was excellent, as was the rest of Montmartre. We walked around the Place du Tertre with its charming storefronts and dozens of artists, visited the I Love You Wall, went down the famous Montmartre stairs into more winding cobblestone pathways, and finally had the most delicious lunch in a tiny crèperie before calling it a day.
4- Le Louvre
 |
| Le Louvre |
Best known for holding the Mona Lisa, the Louvre is an art fanatic’s dream. I’ve never been inside (I prefer more contemporary art), but I can say with certainty it’s nothing short of magnificent! I mean, just look at it!
If you don’t care to go in, know that it’s walking distance from the Sainte-Chapelle, and you can take incredible photos by the Pyramid (it’s free to get into this area).
If you do choose to go in, I would suggest spending 1–2 days exploring and getting skip-the-line passes so you don’t have to wait. It’s huge, and you can easily run out of time if you manage to not get tired walking around. It’s spectacularly lit up at night, so be sure to check that out!
5- Avenue des Champs Elysées + L’Arc de Triomphe
 |
| Avenue des Champs Elysées |
No, I didn’t forget about the most famous street in Paris . Unfortunately, this street is always packed, and there’s really no way around it. With designer stores at every turn, beautiful street-side cafés and lit-up trees, a night stroll on the Champs Elysées can be quite magical!
The best part about this street is its renowned Christmas Market, locally known as the Marché de Noël. Dozens of street vendors line up and sell anything and everything your heart desires: soap from Marseilles, clothes, meats, cheeses, pickled vegetables, scarves, hats, etc. The list goes on!
and that's why it's one of best places in paris france
So head on over to the Market, get some roasted chestnuts and mulled wine and stroll along the beautiful dreamland that is the Champs Elysées during Christmas!
