Top 10 Reasons To Visit Paris

I've tried to pick my top 10 reasons to visit Paris below. It's not been easy, but here we go - not in any specific order.

1) The Buildings and Monuments

Paris has some beautiful and historic buildings and monuments. Here are some that you must see (click on the links to get more information and see a photograph):

The Eiffel Tower - the most famous of all, and one of the most iconic constructions in the World.

The Arc de Triomphe, at the end of the Champs Elysees.


Arc de Triomphe                                     ©whyvisitparis.com

Notre Dame Cathedral, the most visited attraction, which dates back to 1163.

The Sacre Coeur Basilica, located high above the City in Montmartre.

The Louvre Museum, which contains the Mona Lisa and many other works of art.

 
Louvre Museum                                      ©whyvisitparis.com

2) The Food and Wine

Sample the many delicious cheeses, bread, patisserie, pates, the great French wines, the gourmet restaurants, as well as paying a visit to the Champagne Region, which is just a day trip away.

 
Paris Boulangerie (Bakery)                   ©whyvisitparis.com

3) The Shopping and Fashion

Go for the Sales, visit the great department stores Lafayette and Printemps, stroll along the Champs Elysees, or visit the annual fashion shows.

 
Champs Elysees sign                               ©whyvisitparis.com

4) The Culture

Visit The Louvre to see the Mona Lisa and so much more.

Admire the art at the Musée d'Orsay, Musée Picasso, the modern art at the Pompidou Centre, and Monet's famous "Nymphéas" (Water Lilies) at Musée de l'Orangerie.

Musée d'Orsay                ©whyvisitparis.com

See Rodin's wonderful sculptures at the Musée Rodin, including the famous "The Thinker."

5) The Theme Parks

Great days out for the children (actually for the whole family) at Disneyland® Paris and Parc Asterix.
 

6) The History

There is so much so much history to see in Paris. Just selecting 3 favourites, I suggest the following:

Notre Dame, the great Gothic Cathedral, built in the 12th and 13th centuries.
 
La Conciergerie, famous as the prison, where so many were held before execution at the guillotine during the French Revolution in the 1790s. Here you can see Marie Antoinette's prison cell, which was converted into a chapel in her memory.

La Conciergerie                   ©whyvisitparis.com

The Palace of Versailles, the royal castle and hub of French political power for a century, after King Louis moved there in 1682. This is a little outside Paris, but only a short journey, and well worth a visit.

Click here to see the final four of the Top 10 Reasons To Visit Paris