Paris Travel Guide – Romantic and Elegant Capital of France

The city of romance and fashion, of style and great food, of art and architecture and so many other epithets are not enough to describe the unique experience that is Paris. More than a travel destination, Paris makes you fall in love in minutes from discovering its undeniable beauty and charm, exploring its authentic streets and feeling the outstanding atmosphere. Paris has been described in many ways, but never fully depicted in all its glory and elegance.

Among the top travel destinations of the world, the capital of France sits at the start of the list, with millions of travelers arriving each year to immerse into the unforgettable experience. From the massive silhouette of the Eiffel Tower to the immense cultural heritage of the Louvre, from the cafes and stylish shops of Champs Elysees to the gothic elegance of the Notre Dame, from its small hidden authentic French restaurants to the art communities, everything can be a reason to visit Paris.

Probably the best known symbol of Paris and to some degree, even France, has to be the Eiffel Tower. Visible from afar, the huge metal arch was designed in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel and initially received with intrigue and reticence by critics and the population of Paris. Nevertheless, through the years it has become one of the most loved monuments of the world, visited by hundreds of millions of people each year, making it one of the most famous landmarks of the world. No visit to Paris would be complete without making a trip to the tower, admiring it from beneath and paying the ticket to ascend to the upper levels, from where an astonishing panorama of the city opens.

The second major highlight of Paris is the Louvre Museum, one of, if not the most famous museum in the world, gathering a massive collection of amazing exhibits from all over the world, presenting a veritable cultural and historical experience. The most visited museum of the world covers a huge area and is located inside a beautiful architectural structure in the centre of Paris. The collections of the Louvre are divided into major categories, including Egyptian Antiquities, Greek Antiquities, Near Eastern Antiquities, Etruscan and Roman, Islamic Art, Sculpture, Paintings and more. Usually, a day is not enough to browse the thousands of exhibits inside the Louvre, so visitors should either focus on several collections or plan more than one visit.

Another symbol of the city is the Notre Dame Cathedral, located on the beautiful Ile de la Cite, an island on the river Seine, considered the center of Paris. Combining some of the most impressive Gothic and Romanesque architecture, the cathedral makes for a beautiful sight, with intricate ornaments, stained glass and statues adorning its walls. With a history that spans for almost millennia, the cathedral certainly is one of the highlights of Paris, visitors having the opportunity to also visit the crypts or ascend into the towers for stunning views of the city.

There are many other enchanting churches and chapels in Paris, one of the best known being the Sacre Coeur Basilica, a beautiful white marble, Roman Catholic church, located on a hill in the Montmartre quarter. The beautiful architecture and picturesque setting of the Sacre-Coeur are doubled by the artistic vibe of this area of Paris, with many art studios and antiquities shops nearby.

If traveling to Paris, one must also have a walk along the world famous Champs Elysees Boulevard, the quintessential promenade of Paris, where all the major fashion stores, boutique hotels, elegant palaces and chic cafes are located. At one end of the avenue, the Arc de Triomphe is also an established historical landmark of Paris, a triumphal arch in the center of the busy Charles de Gaulle square.

All of these are just the most famous and popular attractions of Paris, the city having hundreds more, some extremely fascinating and inspiring, such as the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens, Chaillot Palace, Hotel des Invalides, Orsay Museum, Picasso Museum, Grand and Petit Palace, Garnier Opera House, Moulin Rouge and many other museums, monuments, parks and so on.

A visit to Paris would never be complete without a cruise on the Seine River, especially in the evening, when all the lights of the city are turned on and the atmosphere becomes that much more romantic. Travelers should also explore the magnificent French cuisine while in Paris, with some of the best restaurants in the world. A short trip from Paris can reveal other treasures, starting with the sumptuous Versailles Palace, the Vincennes or Boulogne Forests for recreation or the magical Disneyland. All of these and more create one of the most inciting and charming travel destinations in the world, a city that remains in the memory of each traveler who has the privilege of discovering it.

Best Accommodation in Paris

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