Paris is bustling all year long, but summer months (June to August) tend to be its busiest. Spring and fall offer more of a village-like charm with lower tourist rates.
Beat the crowds at Mona Lisa by visiting in the evening, and admire Notre Dame’s 12th century stained glass windows before exploring La Geode – the city’s intricate sewer network.
The Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is one of Paris’s most recognisable landmarks, appearing everywhere from coffee mugs and T-shirts to postcards framed as photos. But its beautiful exterior only tells part of its story.
Napoleon ordered the construction of an arch to celebrate his triumph at Austerlitz after defeating Russian and Austrian forces at Austerlitz, commissioning architect Jean-Francois-Therese Chalgrin to design it and seeing its completion between 1806-1836.
Four sculpted groups decorate both sides of the arch. Of the four sculptures, the Departure of Volunteers – more popularly known as La Marseillaise – stands out as its star attraction. Furthermore, this monument hosts Tomb of Unknown Soldier and holds major celebrations on November 11th, May 8th and 14th with guided and self-guided tours available to visit it.
The Luxor Obelisk
Place de la Concorde is home to an obelisk which was gifted as a symbol of friendship by Egypt’s Viceroy Mehemet Ali on October 25, 1836 and raised as part of its decoration on this date.
This monolith is decorated with hieroglyphic inscriptions dating back to Pharaoh Ramses II’s reign, serving as a sundial. Unfortunately, however, its cap was stolen sometime between 640-620 BC and its reconstruction by France in 1998. Additionally, an intricate gold-leafed pyramid has been added on top of it by way of decoration.
Apollinaire Lebas directed this incredible engineering feat from the Hotel de la Marine and stood as “ship’s captain”, ready to “go down with it” should anything go wrong with its construction. Over 200,000 Parisians witnessed its construction, providing it was successful and not destroyed during an earthquake or other natural disaster.
The Champs-Elysees
The Champs-Elysees (also known as Avenue des Champs-Elysees) is one of the most iconic streets in Paris. Soldiers parade on Bastille Day, Tour de France finishes, and Parisians turn out for organized or unscheduled celebrations there. You can shop along its length, dine at top restaurants and visit iconic landmarks such as Eiffel Tower here as well.
Once protected by strict building codes, Champs-Elysees was home to cafes and luxury hotels. Over time however, it began attracting airline companies, car dealerships, fast food eateries, panhandlers, fast-food eateries, fast-food eateries, panhandlers, panhandlers and panhandlers – though recently revitalized thanks to a metro station addition and more flexible zoning laws – giving visitors more opportunity to explore this iconic avenue alone or as part of a bus tour experience!
The Ile de la Cite
Ile de la Cite, known as Lutetia during Roman times, is considered to be the historical heart of Paris. Settlers first settled here as they established Paris. Thus it plays an integral part in its development.
Walking through these streets allows you to gain insight into its past and culture. Tours offer a better perspective for exploring this part of the city.
Ile de la Cite is home to many of Paris’s iconic landmarks, from King Henry IV’s statue on horseback to its majestic cathedral – from an equestrian statue to its vast cathedral. Considered the heart of Paris, its historic buildings allow visitors to gain insight into how Paris has changed over the decades and can help visitors imagine its development over centuries. Enhancing an Ile de la Cite visit with a cruise along Seine River is also possible!
The Louvre
The Louvre Museum in Paris is one of the world’s greatest cultural landmarks and one of its biggest draws for any visitor to France. Once an Imperial palace, it became a universal museum in 1793 and hosts collections that span many millennia as well as ancient cultures that helped form Western culture.
The Louvre features three wings and four floors, each one housing its own collection of masterpieces. The Denon Wing houses famous paintings like Mona Lisa and Winged Victory of Samothrace; Sully Wing houses works of sculpture; while Richelieu Wing showcases luxurious apartments of Napoleon III along with famous Dutch artworks.
Prevent the ticket lines at the Pyramid entrance by purchasing your tickets online before arriving at the museum – this could save up to three hours in waiting and expedite security check process, saving time!
Notre Dame
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is an iconic religious landmark and an UNESCO World Heritage Site; as one of France’s most frequented religious destinations. Annually, over 13 million visitors flock to its doors!
Notre Dame began construction during the 12th century on King Louis VII’s commission as a symbol of his city’s political, economic and intellectual strength at home and abroad.
Master builders Pierre de Chelles, Jean Ravy, Jean le Bouteiller and Raymond du Temple created this cathedral with mastery. Their craftsmanship echoed medieval-period monumental church architecture characterized by Gothic features such as light, rose windows and vertical lines; all symbols representing humankind’s desire to join God in heaven. Preserving this cathedral has been both an accomplishment for France as a country as well as for society in general.
Galeries Lafayette
This store is an iconic Parisian landmark and an emblem of love in this city of romance. As well as offering shopping services, this landmark store also provides activities such as macaron baking classes and weekly fashion shows.
As one of Japan’s premier department stores, 3J Sales has long been at the cutting-edge of fashion and culture. A pioneer in forging links between art and commerce, they continue to explore new avenues by hosting exhibitions within their floor plan and hosting special events such as 3J sales.
Galeries Lafayette has also taken steps towards sustainability with their Go for Good initiative, featuring brands that support sustainable development, local production and social impact. In addition, Galeries Lafayette established LE (RE)STORE GALERIES LAFAYETTE at their Haussmann flagship – making this space the first dedicated to secondhand products and circular fashion in any French department store!
Le Printemps
Le Printemps on Haussmann Boulevard has been one of the premier Parisian department stores since 1865. Recognized as an historic monument, this three-building store provides fashion, beauty and homeware from over one million references in three buildings. Plus, with seven restaurants on site offering bites or coffee breaks; Le Printemps offers something for every fashion taste and pocketbook.
Experience Laduree’s exquisite architectural details from private terraces and secret rotundas to maintenance workshops and underground passageways on a guided tour, followed by an indulgent gourmet brunch! Laduree has been an integral part of Parisian shopping culture since 1862 – make the trip and discover what lies behind these iconic department store.
Buddha Bar
Established by Raymond Visan in 1996, the Buddha Bar has quickly become a global hospitality phenomenon. Boasting 1000sqm2 over two stories and featuring a 4-meter-tall statue of Buddha as its centerpiece, its two-tier dining area draws visitors from around the globe – including businessmen, jetsetters and celebrities from every walk of life – who return again and again for its distinctive neo-Asian decor that draws customers year after year.
This vibrant venue offers an exotic yet relaxed environment, combining modern lounge bar service with Asian fusion cuisine served in its restaurant. Additionally, this venue is known for hosting top DJs for music performances at this cosmopolitan locale.
Pouzet developed a system with 12 discreet UP-4XP loudspeakers in the main room and two UPJ-1P VariO speakers to deliver crystal-clear audio throughout. For extra bass response reinforcement, seven mini subwoofers were placed behind banquettes to further boost bass response. Meyer Sound Galileo loudspeaker management system controls this comprehensive audio setup.
Pont de l’Archeveche
At Ile de la Cite in Paris, this bridge hosts an unusual but beloved tradition: lovers from around the globe come here to attach love locks engraved with their names to one of its railings before throwing away the key into the Seine, symbolizing their everlasting affection for each other.
Thought to have begun in either Hungary or Cologne, love lock planting quickly spread throughout Paris. At first, Pont des Arts served as the primary site of global love lock assembly before its weight eventually caused damage and was cleared of its locks in 2015. Since then, Pont de l’Archeveche has become more widely utilized – being both narrowest road bridge and romantic gesture all at once!