Paris, has a rich history, culture, and beauty. Known as the “City of Light” or “La Ville-Lumière”, you will enjoy the charm and an enchanting ambiance. The city is home to world famous landmarks and museums. The Louvre, is the world’s largest art museum, with thousands of works, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The Eiffel Tower, is an icon for Paris, provides great views of the city. It was centre-stage for the 2024 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies. The the well known Champs-Élysées, although maybe a little over-rated, has noted shops and cafés and leads from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. It forms part of an import axis for the city. The Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, destroyed by fire and rebuilt, schedule to open at the end of 2024, and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, located at the highest point in the city, are must-see landmark. Montmartre, once home to artists like Picasso and Van Gogh is a lively area. Lastly, no visit to Paris would be complete without a stroll along the Seine River, lined with historic bridges and bookstalls.
Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, a foodie, or simply someone in search of a beautiful cityscape, Paris offers a wealth of experiences that cater to all interests and tastes.
When reading about Paris sights, you will see references to arrondissements. These are the 20 administrative districts of Paris laid out like a snail's shell spiralling from the 1st arrondissement in a clockwise pattern. The last two digits of a Paris postal code refer to the arrondissement. So 75001 means an address in the 01, or 1st arrondissement.
Check as to which airport you will be arriving. There are two major airports in France, Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Orly. Paris-Charles de Gaulle is the most common point of entry by air, but Orly has international flights also - so check your tickets.
You can take the RER B Train from Charles de Gaulle Airport. The train station is in the airport with a station at Terminal 1/3 and Terminal 2. But it is a big airport and Terminal 2, for example, is made up of basically a number of terminals such as 2E, 2F etc. The RER trains stop as RER Stops in Paris as well a the terminus station: Gare du Nord.
We have taken the train into Paris, but actually found having our luggage put into our cab once, and then going directly to our locatiion, a bit less hectic given how tired you typically will be after a long international flight. Otherwise it luggage onto the train, then off at Gare du Nord, then into a cab, and then off at your apartment or hotel.
We most often arrange for a driver to pick us up at the airport. Yes it is nice to walk out and see somewith with a sign "MARCUS" who helps you with your luggge and then with no line-ups arrive at out destinatiion.
If you have never been to Paris before, and you want the feel of Paris, many tour books suggest Le Marais as a location for your first visit to Paris. Le Marais is very interesting, old area of Paris and it is a relatively short walking disantce to popular sights of the city.
Getting around in Paris is relatively easy. You will do lots of walking and there is an excellent network of metro lines to cover larger distances quickly.
But there are many areas that make great locations for a hotel or longer term apartment rental. Just check a map and to make your stay the best, and spend more time seeing than travelling to, look at a map to see where the major sights. The Eiffel Tower is a must to see, and also are experiences such as the Arc Triomphe or but not the best areas for a hotel/apartment. It is all about location. You further out you stay the cheaper the cost. I remember my first visit to Paris included a reasonably priced hotel that was available with my flight. When I think back about the amount of time I spend each day walking to and from the apartment - I lost valuable time and also it took a physical toll.
The Art Nouveau Métro entrance designed by Hector Guimard.
photo: mytravellinglens.com
The best way to explore Paris is by walking and taking the metro. Get yourself a Navigo Easy card, which you can download for free via the RATP app and use it as contactless pay or purchase the card at Metro, RER stations and RATP outlets. I found that so much easier then the previous carnet of tickets. Not only is the metro system efficient, but it has a rich history. The Art Nouveau entrances and signs were designed by French architect Hector Guimard, a pioneer of the Art Nouveau movement. Paris was building a metro system in preparation of the 1900 World's Fair. He used a shade of green that would be like oxidized brass. The metro signs and a fair amount of the "modern" architecture is art deco - love it - again check out the classic Metro Signs like that at the Chatelet Station. The Métro opened in July 1900 and has expanded to the full network it is today. There are 16 different lines and by using the Métro you will be able to travel to just about everywhere in Paris. Plan your trip, check the name of the final destination on the line as that will tell you what line/platform to look for. Your Métro ticket can be used on a Zone 1 RER train.
In a renovation project in 1999 two different shades of green were used to paint the metro stations.
Bike rentals are another option but for many the metro is an easy to access and use transit system.
Buses are close behind but it is easier to use an app or look on a map and identify the location of metro stops.
The RER is the Regional Express Network, there are five lines (A to E) and they run from central Paris to much of the Ile-de-France. The trains are faster as there are typically less stations. There are fare zones.
Eiffel Tower, the famous wrought-iron tower. Build in 1887 to 1889. Located at 5 Esplanade des Ouvriers de la Tour Eiffel. Nearest metro stops are Bir-Hakeim (Line 6) and Trocadéro (Line 9). Best night showsn seen from the plazza Trocadéro. Buy tickets on line in advance.
Louvre Museum, located at Rue de Rivoli, is the world's largest art museum. There is the Mona Lisa but much more to see. Open every day EXCEPT Tuesday. The nearest metro stop is Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 and 7).
Arc de Triomphe, Place Charles de Gaulle, honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. Make sure you go to the top for great views of Paris. Open daily. The nearest metro stop is Charles de Gaulle - Étoile (Lines 1, 2, and 6).
Île de la Cité, on the island on the Seine River, home to Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle. The nearest metro stop is Cité (Line 4).
Notre Dame Cathedral, on Île de la Cité and scheduled to open at the end of 2024. The nearest metro stop is Cité (Line 4).
Sainte-Chapelle, a royal chapel that was built in the former medieval Palais de la Cité, home to French kings until the 14th century. Known for its 15-meter high stained glass windows, which are one of the oldest and most preserved in the world. See the lower chapel, smaller than the upper floor but with elborate vaulted ceiling. The upper chappel is the highlight of the visit. It is located on Île de la Cité. The nearest metro stop is Cité (Line 4).
The Conciergerie, once served as a royal palace and later as a prison during the French Revolution. An impressive medieval palace complete with turrets and the remaining elements of a fortified wall. Located at 2 Boulevard du Palais. The nearest metro stop is Cité (Line 4).
Palais de la Découverte is a science museum located within the Grand Palais. Open Tuesday to Sunday. : Located at 2P Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt The nearest metro stop is Champs-Élysées - Clemenceau (Lines 1 and 13)
Fondation Louis Vuitton, art gallery of the Louis Vuitton Foundation in a spectacular building. Located at 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi. The nearest metro stop is Les Sablons (Line 1).
Versailles Palace. Located in the city of Versailles, outside of Paris. The nearest metro stop is Versailles Château Rive Gauche (RER C).
Musee d’Orsay, at 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur. The nearest metro stop is Solférino (Line 12).
Le Marais, historic district is located in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. The nearest metro stops are Hôtel de Ville (Lines 1 and 11) and Saint-Paul (Line 1).
Pompidou Centre, at Place Georges-Pompidou. The nearest metro stop is Rambuteau (Line 11).
photo: mytravellinglens.com
Buren Columns in the Palais Royal courtyard.
The Palais-Royal, at 204 Rue Saint-Honoré, Place du Palais-Royal, in the 1st arrondissement, is a former royal palace. Built for Cardinal Richelieu in the 1630s, it was known as the Palais-Cardinal. Upon his death in 1642, it became the property of King Louis XIII and was renamed the Palais-Royal. It has housed many royals, including the wife and daughter of Charles I of England after the king was deposed and executed in 1649. Today, the Palais-Royal serves as the seat of the Ministry of Culture, the Conseil d’État, and the Constitutional Council.
We have enjoyed being in the Jardin du Palais Royal, in the centre of the palais where locals and tourists mingle. Grab one of the iconic Paris metal garden chairs and just enjoy the scene. The centre garden has arched galeries along the sides. I just can't seem to ever have enough photos take in the galleries. They were avant-garde, when built, shopping passages that housed 145 shops, restaurants, and cafés. In one of the courtyards are the impressive, contemporary art installation, Buren Columns and Bury Fountains.
Just outside the Palais is a historic restaurant and bar, Restaurant Le Grand Véfour. Stopping here for a drink and to people watch is about as Paris as it gets!
photo: mytravellinglens.com
So many years since we have been here, we know we have to return. Sainte-Chapelle, on Île de la Cité, is a royal chapel built in the former medieval Palais de la Cité which was a home to French kings until the 14th century. The chapelle is known for its 15-meter high stained glass windows, considered to a mong the oldest and most preserved in the world.
You enter the through the Lower Chapel that while smaller than the upper floor has elaborate vaulted ceilings. Then going up a winding staircase, you will enter the Upper Chapel. The natural light through the windows bathes the entire church in a pink and purple glow. In 1200, Philippe Auguste modernized the Palais de la Cité complex and his grandson, Louis IX, expanded it further and hired an architect to design an exquisite royal chapel to house several holy relics. The chapel is on the premises of the legal courts, also a national treasure, so security is tight. Be prepared to pass through a metal detector but it is all worth it. The nearest metro stop is Cité (Line 4).
photo: mytravellinglens.com
Built in the 12th and 14th Centuries the Notre Dame is a very important structure to France. All roads from Paris have distances that are measured from the 0 km that is marked by a square in front of the entrance to the cathedral.
It has been many years since I climbed the tower steps to the roof to see the gargoyles up close. Just before the fire, it has been a popular visit and there were very long line-ups. The catherdral is scheduled to open by the end of 2024. The back of the cathedral was stunning with the flying arches that support the structure. Of course, walk through the cathedral which is rather dark and, on a sunny day, have light shine through the stained-glass windows leave an impression you will never forget. In recent years I have arrived first thing in the morning when it opens. No line-up and no admittance fee to enter the main floor.
September 2018 was my last visit to the Notre-Dame. For 2019 I was plannng to photograph the gargoyles. But then, the fire changed everything. In June that year I first avoided going to the Notre-Dame, but, near the end of the week I decided to avoid seeing is wrong. But it was an eerie experience. A metal wall surrounded the cathedral. In the background the hum of a generator added to the feeling of sadness. As I looked up, the damage was more noticeble. All the windows along the top level were boarded for protection or support. I have since followed the remarkable restoration that has taken place and look forward to a return visit.
photo: mytravellinglens.com
Taking two years to build, the Paris landmark built for the 1889 World's Fair, stands 324 meters, weighing 10,000 tons. When first built, it was not liked and in 1909 almost taken down. You can walk the stairs, not for free however, or take one of the elevators that travel up the east, west and north pillars. Go up to the top platform for great views.
Metro: Bir-Hakeim - this is on the Line 6 route and it runs above the ground so you get to see the Tower as your approach the station. Or, Trocadéro if using Line 9.
RER: Champs de Mars - Tour Eiffel.
As a photographer there are photos from the tower but also photos of the tower. Some of the best options include:
photo: mytravellinglens.com
This is the world's largest museum. Plan to see a section and enjoy it. If you try to see to much it all just becomes a blur. The Louvre Palace was built in the 12th Century and then rebuilt and expanded many times. Only a portion of the 12th century walls are visible in one area. In 1682 Louise XIV decided to live at the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre became a place to house the royal collection. During the French Revolution it was decreed that the Louvre should be used as a museum. It opened to the public in 1793.
The collection expanded under Napoleon, however, when he was defeated at Waterloo, part of the collection was returned to the original owners. The collection grew again in size under Louis XVIII and Charles X.
Many want to see the paintings and sculptures. Two glass-roofed sculpture courts contain the famous Marly horses on the ground floor of Richelieu. The Italian Renaissance pieces are in the Denon wing. The Grand Galerie and Salle de la Joconde have the Mona Lisa. Great ready for an unbelievable crowd of people.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays. You can buy advance tickets from the Louvre's website.
Metro: Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre station
This is a busy place just before sunset as photographers come to capture photos of the courtyard, the glass pyramids and the stately palace buildings.
photo: mytravellinglens.com
After a few days of galleries and museums the only gallery I want to see is the Galleries Lafayette department store. It is listed in some sources as the second most visited monument in Paris! It is located on Boulevard Haussmann, just up from the Opera House. While there are Galeries Lafayette stores in major cities across France, the Paris store is the most spectacular. There are separate buildings with for example, men's wear is in a building all its own.
The main building has the impressive dome all in impressive art-nouveau style. Designed by Ferdinand Chanut and built by master glass-maker Jacques Gruber. The art-nouveau artists were from the School of Nancy. (Art Nouveau, “New Art”, and notably found in Paris, Brussels, Vienna, Glasgow and Nancy. The dome has a neo-byzantine style stained glass dome is 43 meters high. An external layer protects the glass from direct contact with external elements. The food floor is also great where we will pick up some fantastic food and then head out for picnic along the river. The restaurant at the top of the store offers very good food. It feels so good to sit, enjoy some wine and classic steak and fries. Nothing gets more French than that for lunch!
Metro: Chaussée d'Antin La Fayette | RER: Auber
photo: mytravellinglens.com
Visit the Sacré-Coeur to see the stunning church and the view of Paris from the hilltop. In the early evening the lights of Paris are beautiful. You won't be the only person there.
Construction on the Basilica of the Sacred Heart started in 1875 and was completed in 1914. The three arches of the main portico has statues of Joan of Arc and King Saint Louis IX. The bell is one of the heaviest in the world and weights 19 tons. The church is a shinning white structure but inside, it is rather dark. No photography in the church. The apse mosaic is the largest in the world. I felt it is worth it to climb to the dome - you will get a great feel for the architecture and have fantastic views. The church is open 6 am to 11 pm, but the Dome and the crypt close at 6 pm.
Metro: Anvers or Abbesses Funicular: from Abbesses station for the price of one Métro ticket.
Canal Saint Martin
photo: mytravellinglens.com
Want to feel like you are really in Paris? Get away from the crowds and walk along this canal. In 1802 Napolean I ordered the building of the canal, using a new tax on wine to raise the needed funds. For many years it was an important route, but by the 1960s traffic along the canal was very little It almost was filled in to become a road! Luckily the canal was saved. There are sections of the canal, from Rue du Faubourg du Temple to the Place de la Bastille where the canal is now covered but the the open stretches are very pleasant.
On Sundays, two streets running parallel to the canal (Quai de Valmy and Quai de Jemmapes) are closed and become pedestrian and cyclist only venues.
The Du Pain et Des Idées, at 34 rue Yves Toudic, is a noted boulangerie near the canal, but it is closed on weekends. Lots of good photo ops with boats going through the locks and the buildings along the canal providing great reflections. I have always just hopped the Metro #11 to République and then walked about two blocks or so to the canal.
Metro: Lines 4 & 7: Gare de L'Est Lines 3, 5, 8, 9 & 11: République Line 11: Goncourt Line 5: Jacques-Bonsergen
photo: mytravellinglens.com
Panthéon means every god, and while this was originally a church dedicated to S. Genevieve and held her relics, there have been numerous changes and now the Panthéon is a mausoleum holding the remains of distinguished people of France. It was modelled on the Pantheon of Rome. One of the main attractions is the massive dome which is in fact a combination of three domes set within each other. The exquisite façade with Corinthian columns and sculptures is a marvellous sight you should not miss.
Foucault’s Pendulum is a massive pendulum that was suspended from the dome of the Pantheon Paris and measured almost 67 meters (220 feet) in length. It hung underneath the central dome and represented the way the Earth rotates. here are several such Foucault’s pendulums that you can see around the globe in places like New York, Ranchi, etc. However, the pendulum at the Pantheon was the very first of its kind, depicting the workings of Physics.
The crypt when you visit Pantheon Paris to see the tombs of some of the greatest names in history. Plan you time, you can buy tickets online. Adult admittance is about 12E.
photo: mytravellinglens.com
I don't know why it took a number of visits to Paris before I made the time to tour the Arc de Triomphe. Well worth it. From the top you look out and see the twelve roads that radiate from the traffic circle. Most of the roads are named after one of Napoleon's battles.
Napoleon has it build in 1806 and it was completed some 30 years later. The structure is covered with reliefs and sculptures that depict scenes of Napoleon's battles.
Photographers, this is a long exposure gold mine. Traffic whirls around the Arc and lights trails seem to be everywhere.
I planned to visit this area of Paris in 2020. It is a former railway line which once encircled Paris. While this photo makes it look totally vacant, now I see photos where this is a major gathering place on weekend. The line has not been used since around 1934. Today parts are parks, walkways, or just place one should not be! In 2007, a section was opened to walkers between the Porte d’Auteuil and the Gare de la Muette. In 2013, a part of the Petite Ceinture in the 15th arrondissement opened to the public, between the Place Balard and the Rue Olivier de Serres. The last section opened to the public in 2015 is located in the 13th arrondissement. Access is at 60 Rue Damesme and runs from the Charles Trenet garden to the Moulin de la Pointe garden. In November 2018, a new sections was opened in the 20th arrondissement, accessed by 11 Rue de la Mare.
La Défense is a major business district, three kilometres west of the city limits of Paris. This is Europe's largest purpose-built business district, covering 560 hectares, with 72 glass and steel buildings (of which 19 are completed skyscrapers), 180,000 daily workers, and 3,500,000 square metres of office space. The cente piece is the Grande Arche and esplanade ("le Parvis"). Impressive architecture. It is a photographer's centre for great architectural photography. Les Quatre Temps, a large shopping mall in La Défense, has 220 stores, 48 restaurants and a 24-screen movie theatre.
Grab a metro Line 1 and take it to the end of the line. There are metro stations and both ends of the plaza.
photo: mytravellinglens.com
For 2020 I will continue with my photo shoots of grand railways stations in European cities. Paris of course has to be in that grouping. Gare d'Austerlitz for trains that travel to central France, Toulouse and the Pyrenees. Gare de l'Est for trains to eastern France, Germany and Switzerland. Gare de Lyon trains to south-Eastern France - this station handles 90,000,000 passengers a year. Gare de Lyon for trains to southwest France and the Gare du Nord with trains to northern France. It is pretty much impossible now to get out on the tracks if you do not have a ticket to board a train, but the stations are grand.
photo: mytravellinglens.com
Avoid some of the crowds at the sought after locations and spend some time in the Marais at Le Marché des Enfants Rouges. It is written up as one of Paris' oldest and most charming covered markets. We have been here a couple of times and you will enjoy rubbing shoulders with more locals than tourists! It is known to have some of the best Moroccan food in Paris, but there are also other food options to enjoy.
Many years since we visited Les Puces de Saint-Ouen which is said to be the world's largest flea market. It dates back to 1870 and was at that time in an uninhabited area outside of Paris. Now there are over 14 different markets there with more than 1,500 stalls. You will not be alone as generally it is aid there are up to 180,000 people visiting the market each weekend. Open to the public Saturday to Monday, and restricted access for "professionals" on Thursday and Friday.
Metro: Line 14, exit at Saint Quen; Metro Line 13, exit at Garibaldi about 700 meters to the Puces; Metro Line 4, exit at Porte de Clignancourt, and look for the signs. It is crowded around and in the market. Don't wear any easy-pick-pocket bags or clothes.
Located in the north-eastern part of Paris (19th arrondissement) this is the fifth largest park in Paris and note as one of the most pleasant. It opened in 1867, it has 5.5 kilometres of roads and 2.2 kilometres of paths. It is known for the Temple de la Sibylle, which was inspired by the Temple of Vesto in Tivoli which stands on a hill above an artificial lake. The grotto, in the former quarry, has a waterfall (pump-fed). Gustave Eiffel designed the 63-meter suspension bridge that crosses the lake.
Metro: Buttes Chaumont, Laumiere and Botzaris.
photo: mytravellinglens.com
The Les Invalides is a large complex of 17th-century structures and courtyards. In 1670 King Louis XIV commissioned the building of a hospital and home for aged and injured soldiers. Work was completed by architect Libéral Bruant finishing it in 1676. There are 15 courtyards, the largest being the cour d’honneur used for military parades. Parts of Les Invalides were later converted into museums and into tombs for Napoleon I and others. There is so much to see here that includes The Invalides Cathedral (Dôme des Invalides) which holds the the tomb of Napoleon as well as the Soldiers’ Church (Cathédrale Saint-Louis). The Army Museum (Musée de l’Armée) has so much, it holds the nation’s largest collection on French military history. Don't miss the horses. There is also the Court of Honour (Cour d’honneur) and the Museum of Relief Plans (Musée des Plans Reliefs). Open daily from 10am to 6pm and open till 9 pm on Tuesdays. January 1, May 1 and December 25 the museums and attractions inside Les Invalides are closed. The two closest metro stops are:École Militaire on Metro Line 8 is about a six minute walk. Saint-François-Xavier on line 13 is about a 7 minute walk.
What was a major rail station is now a leading art gallery. It is all about Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art and Art Nouveau decorative collections. Get up to the café tucked behind the clock.
There are endless sights to see in Paris. Bring good walking shoes and just enjoy the city.
While we avoided Paris in 2024 due to increased prices and other pressures in the city for the Olympics, we will be returning in 2025. Some of the places I have on my list to visit include:
Melodies Graphiques, 10 rue du Pont Louis Philippe, 75004 Paris - Mon 3:00 - 6:00 pm, Tue-Sat 11:30am - 7:30 pm - it has notebooks, journals, paper, and Herbin Ink.
rue Cremieux - photo: mytravellinglens.com
A colourful street in Paris line with houses in an array of soft charming colours. It has been a number of years since I have walked down this street. Be prepared for lots of "No Photo" signs as the residents cope with the heavy pedestrian traffic down their little private street.
A massive 300 km network of tunnels that run under Paris. Here, there are bones of some six million people. Dress warmly as the catacombes are chilly.
photo: mytravellinglens.com
On the Place de l'Opéra, this is the old opera house. The inside is opulent. Mirrors, marble, velvet and satin, and of course a Grand Escalier. The Palais Garnier is open to the public most days unless there’s a matinee performance. It’s best to check the schedule ahead of time and reserve tickets online.
