Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world, with 30 million foreign visitors per year. What should you do and see while in this romantic city?
Paris is said to be the most romantic city in the whole world, there are a number of landmarks with various attractions, famous institutions, and also its popular parks, attracting people like a big magnet. Here are the places that you must visit when traveling to Paris.
Eiffel Tower
An iron tower built on the Champ de Mars on the banks of the river Seine. This tower has indirectly become a global icon of this country, as well as being one of the most famous structures in the world. Built in 1889, the structure is 325m high and the antenna is 24 meters long, compared to a conventional building, equal to an 81-story building.
Designed by Gustaf Eiffe, a French engineer and architect and a specialist in metal structures. So don’t be surprised if this tower is made entirely of iron, with a weight of 7,300 tons. The first and second levels are accessible by stairs and lifts. A ticket booth in the south tower sells tickets to the steps that start there. On the first platform the stairs go up from the east tower and meet the current level only accessible by lift. From the first or second platform the stairs are open to everyone who goes up and down depending on whether they have purchased an elevator ticket or a stair ticket.
Number of stairs 9 to the ticket booth at the base, 328 to the first level, 340 to the second level and 18 to the lift platform on the second level. When exiting the elevator on the third level there are 15 steps up to the top observation platform. The number of steps is written in stages on the side of the stairs to give a sign of the stairs going up. Most of the stairs going up provide a direct view down or around the tower although some of the short steps are covered.
Arch de Triomphe
Or the Arch of Victory that stands majestically on the Place de l’Étoile. This building was built on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte with the aim of honoring the services of his great army. The largest arch in the world measuring 45 x 22 x 50 meters, is decorated with many reliefs and statues depicting the Napoleonic wars.
The full name Arch de Triomphe de l’Étoile was built in 1806 as a sign of Napoleon’s victory against Asutria in the Austreliz war. Inspired by the Arc of Titus in Italy, on each wall is a list of all the victories of the French war.
One of the interesting things about this gate, under the arch is a tomb of an unknown soldier from World War I, his body was placed here [there was Armistice Day (Armistice Day) in 1920, and above his grave was written: “Ici Repose Un Soldat Francais Mort Pour La Patrie 1914 – 1918” (Here lies a French soldier who died for his homeland 1914-1918). Above this tomb is a lantern whose fire never goes out. This fire is in memory of the soldiers who died in World War I & II and they are not identified.
On the inside of this gate, you can also take the elevator to reach the top where there is a museum which contains various explanations about this gate from the start of its construction. To reach the roof, you can ‘cross’ 46 steps, and from there, you can see the surrounding area clearly.
Place de la Concorde
A large square in the middle between the Tuileries Garden and the Champ Elysees. Place de la Concorde is the main and widest square in Paris. This square has a long history, from the name changing to the ‘attractions’ held here.
Louvre Museum
Musee du Louvre, the largest museum in the world, and has the most complete collection from around the world, this museum was once a palace and a fortress. The Palais du Louvre is a span built in the 12th century under Philip II. Later this building was developed again into a palace as it is today, but in 1682, Louis XIV left this palace and lived in the Palace of Versailles, while this palace building was only a place to store royal treasures.
Notre Dame Cathedral
A very famous catholic church in Paris, located on the le de la Cité. Notre Dame de Paris is considered one of the finest examples of French gothic architecture. It was built in 1163 at the initiative of the bishop Muarice de Sully. Its construction took 44 years, and when the church was completed the bishop died.
