Paris is the world's most visited city year after year. I've had the chance to see Paris twice and barely scratched the surface of what the city offers. Everyone's tastes differ; however, I'm confident at least half my picks would make anyone's top 10 list.
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Paris Attractions
10. Pere Lachaise Cemetery (Jim Morrison's Grave)
The Doors' lead singer, Jim Morrison, is buried in Pere Lachaise Cemetery. He's in good company, too, given that luminaries such as Oscar Wilde and Marcel Proust are also interred there.
My Experience: I tried to visit the cemetery during my second trip to Paris in 2008. However, it was winter, and the cemetery had been closed due to icy conditions.
9. Palace of Versailles
While technically in a suburb of Paris, I include this royal chateau and UNESCO World Heritage Site because it's an easy day trip from the city. The Palace of Versailles is a monumental building covering 67,000 square meters and 2,300 rooms.
Versailles's royal opulence is a testament to the old French monarchy. The whole complex is surrounded by expansive gardens. Versailles tickets can be purchased online in advance for about $19 (19 euros).
My Experience: Versailles is the only other site on this list that I have yet to see. I've seen plenty of royal palaces, but their grandeur never ceases to amaze me.
8. Pompidou Centre (Museum)
The Pompidou houses an extensive public library and the city's modern art museum—one of the biggest in Europe! The building's architecture alone warrants a visit. As you can see in the photo above, the escalator is featured outside the Pompidou's walls.
The whole structure feels transparent, a mix of steel and glass that seems to be effortlessly supporting the weight of the building. Nearby, there is also a water fountain filled with playful sculptures.
My Experience: I fondly remember my first visit to the Pompidou in 1998. My friends and I, tired from searching for hostels with free beds or affordable hotels in Paris (due to the World Cup), stopped by the fountain to take a break. It wasn't until my return in 2008 that I got to go inside, explore the various galleries, and see the city views from the top floor.
7. Sampling Wine and Cheese
France is world-renowned for its wine, and Paris is the perfect place to sample a glass from Bordeaux or, if you're feeling celebratory, perhaps a bottle of bubbly from Champagne. Pair your selections with a cheese plate, sit back, and enjoy.
My Experience: I view Paris differently than I did 15 years ago when it was just a jumble of iconic sites that had to be seen. Now, I see it through the eyes of a foodie. Cafes, pastry shops, and fine dining are the images conjured up when I consider a third visit to Paris.
6. Montmartre & Sacre Coeur
Montmartre is a hill upon which sits the Basilica of Sacre Coeur. Because Paris is relatively flat, a walk up Montmartre offers visitors expansive city views. As one of the most visited sites in the city, the grounds are always filled with street performers, and off to the side of the Basilica is a park where artists display their works.
My Experience: Remember that cold and wintry weather that kept me from Jim Morrison's grave? Earlier that day, my Parisian friend Laura had taken me to Montmartre. The overcast skies and light sleet dampened the views, but it was easy to imagine how nice it'd be on a clear day. Plus, it's free!
5. Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral on the banks of the River Seine. It was one of the first cathedrals to use the flying buttress system to support the walls. This external support system would allow future cathedrals to reach higher and higher heights.
My Experience: I'm a cathedral buff, so this one was a must-see during my first visit to Paris, but I didn't spend much time there taking it all in.
4. The Louvre
The Louvre is perhaps the most famous and well-known museum in the world because of The Mona Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci. It's also the world's most enormous. While the Mona Lisa's mysterious smile is enough to draw millions, the museum is gigantic and houses more paintings, sculptures, and pieces of artwork than any person can bear in a single or even multiple visits.
My Experience: I went in the summer, waited in a long line, and was unimpressed with The Mona Lisa. It was swamped with people and behind a protective plastic or glass barrier, which immediately detracted from the experience.
But the real turn-off was the crowds. I cut my losses and wandered the rest of the museum, but I soon became overwhelmed. I recommend limiting your time and, if possible, learning about the artwork you want to see before you get there.
3. Musee d'Orsay
This Impressionist museum is housed within a former train station and features work from the greats, including Monet, Van Gogh, Manet, and Degas. Less visited than the Louvre, you'll face smaller crowds and hopefully find the museum much more manageable.
My Experience: Compared to the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay was an absolute pleasure. I love it when a museum is housed in an attractive building, making the whole experience more unique.
2. Champs Elysees & Arc de Triomphe
The Champs Elysees is a wide avenue featuring plenty of Paris hotels and enough shopping to keep any woman happy. A walk down the Champs Elysees is an experience any time of year, and it's like taking a stroll down New York's Broadway—always interesting and terrific for people-watching.
The Arc de Triomphe is an icon of the city -- Napoleon Bonaparte's homage to victory. You can access the Arc via an underground passage, but it's more harrowing to try and cross the street above ground. Good luck!
My Experience: I walked both during the day in summer and at night in winter when the trees lining the streets were decorated with blue Christmas lights.
Related: New Year's Eve at a French House Party
1. The Eiffel Tower
The number one spot on my list goes to the top icon of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Whether you get Eiffel Tower tickets to ride up the elevator or take the stairs, time your visit for sunset, and you'll be treated to one of the city's most romantic experiences. Been there. You can't go wrong with a return visit to picnic and camp out in the surrounding park.
My Experience: I visited the Eiffel Tower during my trips to Paris. The upper deck was closed the first time, but I caught a gorgeous sunset. On the second visit, I was content to peer up from the ground.
