My husband and I visited this incredible town in April 2011, and this trip holds a special place in my heart. There are many reasons for this: we had always dreamed of seeing Paris, and that dream finally came true. I celebrated my most memorable birthday at the Moulin Rouge, where we enjoyed a show and drank champagne. I also had the opportunity to see the Mona Lisa with my own eyes and tried escargot for the first time. Climbing the stairs of the Eiffel Tower rewarded us with breathtaking views of the city. However, the most significant reason may be that we spent our entire trip smiling and making the most of every moment, soaking in the beauty of this magnificent city!
The Seine
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous attractions in Paris. Gustave Eiffel constructed it for the World’s Fair (Exposition Universelle) held in Paris in 1889, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
The Seine & Eiffel Tower
If you are in the mood to climb to the top, like us, 1,665 steps await you, but there is also an elevator.
In the evening, the tower lights up, and from a distance, it appears to sparkle like a star.
When the Eiffel Tower was constructed, some Parisians—especially artists and intellectuals—expressed their dissatisfaction, claiming that it would ruin the city's beauty. However, today, it stands as a beloved symbol of the city. 😊
Eiffel Tower - 1,665 steps are waiting for you 😊
The wild story of the man who sold the Eiffel Tower (twice)
Victor Lustig, a notorious scam artist, devised an incredible scheme by "selling" the Eiffel Tower. Posing as a legitimate civil servant, he drew the attention of representatives from the five largest iron processing companies in Paris. He informed them that the Eiffel Tower would soon be sold for scrap metal, leading one representative, André Poisson, to trust him. Unfortunately, when Poisson realized he had been conned, Lustig had already escaped to Austria.
Not one to give up easily, Lustig attempted to sell the tower again when he found himself low on funds. However, his new buyer quickly uncovered the scam, forcing Lustig to flee to the United States to avoid arrest. It’s quite a remarkable story, isn’t it?
Eiffel Tower
Regardless of the exciting history of this building, for me, the most beautiful part of the visit to the Eiffel Tower was the spectacular view of the entire city.
The view from the Eiffel Tower
The view from the Eiffel Tower
The view from the Eiffel Tower
The Louvre
The Louvre is home to an incredible art collection, one of the most extensive in the world, featuring over 38,000 works of art. It showcases a treasure trove of Egyptian, ancient Greek, Roman, and Oriental art. The museum is filled with artistic objects, exquisite furniture, and a priceless collection of European art. The sheer scale of the Louvre is staggering; it would take visitors approximately five weeks to adequately view all of its artworks.
The Louvre began construction in the 12th century under Philip II as a fortress. Over the years, it underwent numerous expansions and served as a royal court. In 1682, Louis XIV moved the royal residence to Versailles, leaving the Louvre primarily to showcase the royal collection. Later, during the French Revolution, the National Assembly declared that the Louvre should be converted into a museum.
Louis XIV Statue in front of the Louvre
This statue is actually a copy of one located in Versailles, and it has an intriguing story behind it. King Louis XIV commissioned the original statue from an Italian sculptor, but he was dissatisfied with the final result. As a result, another French sculptor altered it to represent a Roman hero named Marcus Curtius instead of King Louis XIV.
The original statue in Versailles, which survived because of its resemblance to Marcus Curtius during the French Revolution (when revolutionaries aimed to destroy statues of kings), is now housed inside a museum. The statue located outside the Louvre entrance is a lead copy.
Louis XIV Statue outside the Louvre entrance (lead copy)
Tuileries Gardens
Before becoming a public space for relaxation accessible to everyone, the Tuileries Gardens were exclusively reserved for the royal family and the court. In 1664, the renowned royal gardener André Le Nôtre transformed the gardens, giving them their enduring French garden style that remains intact today.
Tuileries Gardens
Arc de Triomphe
Along with the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe is a symbol of Paris. It is situated at Place Charles de Gaulle. The Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought and died for France during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Construction of the monument began in 1806 and was completed in 1836. At the top of the Arc de Triomphe, visitors are rewarded with a stunning view of Paris, but be prepared for over 280 steps to reach the top.
Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe
Statue on the wall of the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe and panoramic views over Paris
On top of The Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is a triumphal arch located in Paris, situated on Carrousel Square. It was constructed between 1806 and 1808 to commemorate Napoleon's military victories.
The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
Petit Palais
The Petit Palais (Small Palace) is a stunning building that showcases various art collections from Antiquity to 1920. It is situated between the Champs-Élysées and Les Invalides and was constructed for the 1900 Universal Exhibition.
Petit Palais
Les Invalides
Impressive! There is a nice park in front of Les Invalides, also known as L'Hôtel National des Invalides. This site contains buildings, museums, and monuments that relate to France's military history. You can visit Napoleon’s tomb and the Military Museum, among others.
L'Hôtel national des Invalides
Musée de l'Armée
Musée d'Orsay
This incredible museum holds the world's largest collection of famous paintings by Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Morisot, and Renoir.
Musée d'Orsay view from Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor
City of bridges
Paris is often called the city of bridges, and it certainly lives up to that name with over 30 beautiful bridges crossing the Seine! While we didn’t have time to explore them all, we did get to enjoy a few, and they were stunning!
The Pont Alexandre III is truly one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris, and its architecture is absolutely breathtaking! Built for the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900, this bridge is named after Tsar Alexander III and stands as a lovely symbol of friendship between France and Russia. It's definitely a must-see when you're exploring the city!
Pont Alexandre III
Pont Alexandre III
Selfie instead of a love padlock
When we visited Paris, there was an unwritten rule: wherever you find a convenient place, you may attach a love padlock (Pont des Arts, Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor…). Paris is a city of love, after all. Unfortunately, this practice almost destroyed the Pont des Arts.
Till 2014, Paris’ Pont des Arts was commonly known as the Love Lock Bridge due to a particular ritual: couples inscribe their names on padlocks, lock them on the bridge, and throw the keys into the Seine River. The ritual symbolized love locked forever. Today, it is forbidden to put love locks on the Pont des Arts because, in 2014, the City of Paris decided to withdraw them due to the risk of the bridge collapse. So, tourists are urged not to leave padlocks on a Paris bridge to symbolize their love - and to take selfies instead.
Love padlocks
Love padlocks
Ile de la Cité and nearby bridges
Two natural islands located in the middle of the Seine River at the heart of Paris are île de la Cité and île Saint-Louis. The more famous of the two, île de la Cité, is home to some of Paris’s most well-known landmarks, including the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Pont Saint-Louis is a small bridge but the only one linking those two islands.
The Pont Louis-Philippe links the island Île Saint-Louis with the Saint-Gervais neighborhood on the right bank.
Pont Louis Philippe and Pont Saint-Louis
The Pont au Double is a cast iron bridge built in 1883. It connects Notre Dame on the Ile de la Cité to the Quai de Montebello on the left bank. Before this iron bridge, a different stone bridge was built in 1643 to give patients better access to Hotel Dieu Hospital (the oldest hospital in Paris, founded fourteen centuries ago).
The Pont au Double
Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame is located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris.
Construction of this iconic cathedral began in 1163 and was not completed until 1345. It is undoubtedly a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture. Before the fire in its roof in April 2019, Notre Dame was a popular tourist attraction, with 13 million visitors yearly.
We were fortunate enough to visit Notre Dame in 2011, and we would like to revisit this “gothic beauty” at least one more time since Notre Dame officially reopened its doors in 2024. 😊
Notre-Dame 2011
Notre-Dame 2011
Notre-Dame 2011
Notre-Dame 2011
Notre-Dame 2011
Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
It is the Paris City Council, and it also houses a museum that sometimes offers free exhibitions. This beautiful building with great architecture is located in the public square (4th Arrondissement of Paris) just across from the Île de la Cité. It’s hard to imagine that public executions took place in its square, the Place de Grève, in the past.
Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
The Stravinsky Fountain
I am very fond of contemporary art. Visiting the Stravinsky Fountain was a feast for the eyes. It’s located in Place Stravinsky, between the Centre Pompidou and the Church of Saint-Merri (4th Arrondissement of Paris). The Stravinsky Fountain is a tribute to composer Igor Stravinsky, and the remarkable sculptures were created by the Swiss artists Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle.
Of course, we visited Centre Pompidou, which was a special treat for my soul. It is named after former French president George Pompidou, who loved modern art.
If you like modern art, do not skip it.
The Stravinsky Fountain
The Stravinsky Fountain
Street art
The art is everywhere in Paris, even on the walls. Look at this magnificent street art.
Street arts
Street arts
The Latin Quarter of Paris
Situated on the left bank of the Seine, the 5th arrondissement of Paris is notable for being the location of the Quartier Latin, a district dominated by universities, colleges, and prestigious high schools.
Faculté de droit de Paris, 5th arrondissement of Paris
Panthéon
The famous monument located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris was constructed between 1757 and 1792 under the direction of King Louis XV. It was designed by Jacques-Germain Soufflot and was originally intended to be a church dedicated to Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. However, during the French Revolution, the Panthéon was repurposed as a mausoleum for the remains of distinguished French citizens. Among those interred, there are Victor Marie Hugo, the poet, novelist, and politician; Marie Curie, the chemist and physicist who was the first woman to be buried at the Panthéon; philosopher and writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau; Voltaire, writer, the historian, and philosopher; and Alexandre Dumas, the author of "The Three Musketeers."
Interestingly, the Panthéon was also used as a physics laboratory in 1851, where physicist Jean-Bernard Foucault proved his theory that the Earth rotates on its axis.
Panthéon
Panthéon
Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes, located in the 5th arrondissement, was established in 1626 as a botanical garden dedicated to medicinal plants. Over the years, it has evolved to include the Menagerie Zoo Historique de Paris and the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution.
Jardin des Plantes
Paris business district - La Défense
La Défense is a business district in Paris, featuring offices, housing, and shops located on the city's northwest edge.
Paris business district
The Great Arch of La Défense is a monument and building in the business district. In 1982, François Mitterrand, the President of France, initiated a national design competition to create a new Arc de Triomphe.
The Great Arch of the Defense
The Great Arch of the Defense
Le Pouce is a fantastic 12-meter-high bronze sculpture of a thumb that you can spot in La Défense! Created by the talented artist César Baldaccini in 1965, this eye-catching piece really stands out. Many people see it as a fun gesture of good luck, like giving a thumbs-up! It's definitely a must-see when you're in the area!
Le Pouce
Versailles
Versailles is a must-see attraction in Paris, located just 30 minutes from the city center. This renowned royal palace is one of the country's most significant historical monuments. It was created by King Louis XIV of France, known as the Sun King. The palace spans an area of 67,121 square meters, with approximately 50,000 square meters open to the public. Inside, it boasts over 700 rooms, and the surrounding park covers about 800 hectares, featuring sculptures, rare flowers, and beautiful greenery.
Versailles
Versailles
Versailles
Versailles Castle. Famous Royal Chapel
Depending on your preferences, you can explore the palace and gardens for a few hours or for the whole day.
Versailles
Le Bois de Boulogne
This park is one of the largest in Paris, covering 845 hectares. It is an excellent location for recreation or relaxation. If you enjoy biking, like we do, it would be a wonderful experience.
Le Bois de Boulogne
Le Bois de Boulogne
Le Bois de Boulogne
The streets of Paris
Rue Chanoinesse
Fifth arrondissement of Paris, France, Street
Place Vendôme Vendôme column
Vintage cars exhibition
I am not someone who aims to visit as many places in the world as possible. Instead, I prefer to return to destinations where I've had a great time in the past. I believe that each visit to a favorite place can offer a different experience, allowing me to discover new aspects that I may have missed during previous trips. That's why I hope to visit Paris at least two more times. 😊
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