Paris, the capital of France, is one of the most iconic and famous cities in the world. With its romantic ambiance, historic architecture, renowned art and fashion scenes, and reputation as the “City of Light,” Paris has cemented itself as a must-visit destination.
But what exactly is Paris known for that draws over 30 million tourists every year? Here is an in-depth look at the top things Paris is most famous for.
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is, without a doubt, the most recognizable landmark in Paris and a symbol of the city. Built in 1889 for the World’s Fair, it was originally criticized for its design but has become the most popular paid tourist attraction in the world with over 7 million visitors per year.
Standing at 1,063 feet tall overlooking the city, the Eiffel Tower is known for its intricate steel architecture and as an engineering masterpiece of its time. Its nightly sparkling light shows that illuminate the Paris skies are also a big draw. No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower and the incredible views it offers of the capital.
Eiffel Tower Fast Facts
- Height: 1,063 feet tall (324 meters)
- Construction began: 1887
- Completed: March 31, 1889
- Engineer: Gustave Eiffel
- Location: Champ de Mars in the 7th arrondissement
- Painted every 7 years – 20 tons of paint, 3 shades
Visiting the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is open daily, with visiting hours from 9:30 am to 11:45 pm in summer and 9:30 am to 5:30 pm in winter. Tickets can be purchased online, at the entrance, or through tour companies. There are three levels that visitors can access:
- 1st Level: 190 feet high with shops, exhibits, and restaurants
- 2nd Level: 380 feet high with panoramic views of Paris
- Summit Level: 896 feet high with views as far as 60km on a clear day
Elevators are available on the first and second levels. Stairs can be taken all the way to the top. For access to the summit, visitors must take an elevator at least to the second level.
Why is the Eiffel Tower so Famous?
There are several key reasons why the Eiffel Tower gained such immense fame and popularity:
- Architectural icon – Its unique lattice design was innovative and bold for the time. The tower has become the symbol of Paris displayed in all media.
- Engineering marvel – Built with great precision, it was the tallest structure in the world for over 40 years. The design allows the iron structure to expand and contract with weather conditions.
- Panoramic views – Few other structures offer such far-reaching, panoramic views of an entire city for the public to enjoy. The views are breathtaking.
- Historic significance – It was built for the 1889 World’s Fair and is the only remaining structure from the event. It’s a relic of Paris history.
- Pop culture symbol – Frequently featured in movies, books, photos, and other media, it’s ingrained in pop culture as an icon of Paris.
So in essence, the Eiffel Tower is known worldwide as the quintessential pinnacle of Parisian architecture and one of the most remarkable structures ever built.
Art Museums
Paris is renowned as a capital of art and culture. Many of the world’s most famous pieces of art reside in Paris at some of the largest and most impressive art museums in the world. Art enthusiasts flock to Paris for its famous museums.
The Louvre
The Louvre is the world’s largest and most-visited art museum located in the heart of Paris along the banks of the Seine River. Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century, The Louvre today houses over 380,000 objects and displays 35,000 works of art spanning prehistory to modern times.
Some of the most famous works of art at The Louvre include:
- Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
- Venus de Milo sculpture
- The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault
- The Winged Victory of Samothrace
- Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix
In addition to art, The Louvre exhibits Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities, as well as artifacts from the Middle Ages. Notable sections include medieval, Renaissance, and 18th-century French paintings and sculptures.
With over 10 million visitors annually, The Louvre is hands down the most famous and extensively collected art museum in Paris.
Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay houses collections that bridge the gap between The Louvre’s artworks ending in 1848 and the modern works found at the Musée National d’Art Moderne. The famous impressionist and post-impressionist painters such as Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Van Gogh have pieces showcased at Musée d’Orsay.
Built within a former railway station, the museum’s architecture is almost as famous as the art it displays. The unique interior has been used as a filming location for movies like Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. Beyond paintings, it exhibits furniture, photography, and sculptures.
Pompidou Centre
The Pompidou Centre puts a modern twist on art museums in both its architecture and art collections. The colorful, tube-like exterior contrasts with the surrounding historic buildings in Le Marais but has become a landmark in its own right.
Inside, the contemporary art museum offers an impressive collection of modern art from the 20th and 21st centuries. There are approximately 120,000 works in mediums like painting, sculpture, photography, graphics, film, and design.
Major artists like Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Pollock, and Warhol have pieces in the Pompidou Centre. There are also cinemas, a public library, performance halls, and a music institute within this lively arts venue.
Fashion and Shopping
When you think of the world’s fashion capitals, Paris is likely one of the first to come to mind along with Milan, New York, and London. As a city renowned for its style, fashion design houses, and iconic shopping destinations, fashion is definitely something Paris is famous for.
High Fashion Houses
Many of the most prominent high fashion houses have roots in Paris or located their headquarters there:
- Chanel – Founded by Coco Chanel, it is renowned for its haute couture clothing and luxury goods.
- Dior – Christian Dior founded the house in 1946 known for feminine couture.
- Yves Saint Laurent – French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent started his eponymous brand in 1961.
- Louis Vuitton – Specializing in luxury leather goods, Louis Vuitton opened his first Paris store in 1854.
Paris hosts biannual Fashion Weeks where many of these iconic brands debut their new seasonal collections in extravagant runway shows.
Department Stores
Paris also has several legendary department stores selling high fashion and luxury goods:
- Galeries Lafayette – The stunning stained glass dome and Belle Époque architecture almost outshine this store’s designer fashions.
- Le Printemps – Competing with Galeries Lafayette, Printemps is a 6-story luxury department store first opened in 1865.
- Le Bon Marché – Le Bon Marché opened in 1852 as one of the world’s first modern department stores specializing in high-end goods.
These department stores are shopping icons almost as famous as the Eiffel Tower. Especially at Christmas, their elaborate holiday window displays draw crowds year after year.
Champs-Élysées
This famous avenue is synonymous with shopping, especially luxury brands. Along the Champs-Élysées you’ll find flagship stores from Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Gucci, and more. The wider area includes shopping arcades and other luxury retailers.
For the full Paris shopping experience, an afternoon strolling the Champs-Élysées and nearby streets is a must. The luxury displays in the windows will give you an idea of Paris’s status at the height of couture and retail.
Food and Dining
From fine dining to quaint cafés to beloved bakeries, Paris is renowned for its excellent culinary scene spanning both French classics and international cuisine. Food, wine, and dining atmospheres are integral to the Parisian lifestyle.
Boulangeries and Pâtisseries
Paris is full of delectable bakeries selling freshly baked baguettes, croissants, macarons, tarts, quiches, and more. Two bakery chains have spread across the globe but retain their Paris roots – Ladurée for its macarons and Pierre Hermé for elaborate pastries.
Visitors enjoy popping into boulangeries and pâtisseries for a quick bite or taking their baked goods to-go for snacks. It’s become a tradition to pick up a baguette, croissant, or pain au chocolat in the mornings. The pastries and macarons make for the perfect bakery souvenirs.
Some iconic Parisian bakeries include:
- La Maison Landemaine
- Du Pain et des Idées
- Blé Sucré
- Stohrer
- Jacques Genin
- Gerard Mulot
- Sadaharu Aoki
- Pierre Hermé
- Ladurée
Trying a fresh croissant or macaron from any of these is a must for foodies visiting Paris. The French take bakeries very seriously and visitors will notice boulangeries on just about every street corner. Bakeries provide that authentic taste of Paris.
Cafés and Brasseries
Iconic Paris cafés and brasseries are quintessential to the leisurely dining experience Paris embodies. Sitting outdoors at a café table with a coffee or glass of wine is a favorite Parisian pastime. Historically, cafés were gathering places for intellectuals and artists. Famous cafés still operating include Les Deux Magots, Café de Flore, and Café de la Paix.
Brasseries originated as breweries and many, like Brasserie Lipp, retain their vintage furniture and décor. French classics like steak frites are menu staples. The ambiance is lively and casual, different from more formal dining experiences.
Fine Dining
France is considered the high temple of fine dining and Paris provides ample opportunities to indulge in exceptional French cuisine. Over 100 restaurants in Paris have been awarded the prestigious Michelin stars based on service and quality.
Some of the world’s best Michelin-starred restaurants include:
- Restaurant Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée (3 stars)
- Epicure (3 stars)
- Le Cinq at Four Seasons Hotel George V (3 stars)
- Guy Savoy (3 stars)
- L’Arpège (3 stars)
- Pierre Gagnaire (3 stars)
These restaurants offer meticulously prepared tasting menus celebrating the heights of French gastronomy along with ultimate luxury. A once-in-a-lifetime splurge for foodies!
Markets and Food Shops
Food markets and specialty food shops allow visitors to browse and sample authentic French fare. The Marché Bastille is one of the largest open-air food markets in Paris frequented by locals and chefs. La Grande Épicerie is an enormous gourmet food emporium inside Le Bon Marché department store.
From cheese shops to chocolate boutiques to wine stores, Paris offers delightful opportunities to try and buy edible souvenirs. Food lovers agree experiencing the markets and shops is intrinsically Parisian.
History and Architecture
With a history reaching back over 2000 years, Paris provides glimpses into the past through its architecture spanning centuries. The city’s riches of Gothic churches, grand palaces, medieval streets, and ancient ruins reflect diverse eras that shaped modern-day Paris.
Notre Dame Cathedral
The medieval Catholic cathedral Notre Dame de Paris built between 1160-1345 AD, is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture and one of the most famous churches in the world. The intricate façade decor, flying buttresses, stained glass rose windows, and Great Organ are breathtaking.
Set on Île de la Cité in the Seine River, this beloved historic cathedral has been damaged and restored several times over the centuries. Most recently in 2019, a tragic fire destroyed parts of the roof and interior, which are undergoing restoration.
Palace of Versailles
This enormous palace located outside Paris was the main residence of French royalty, especially Louis XIV, until the French Revolution in 1789. The over-the-top opulence with 700 rooms, 2,300 staff, and sprawling manicured gardens signified the absolutism of the monarchy.
Visitors tour the Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments, the Queen’s bedchamber, magnificent chapels, and definitive examples of Baroque architecture. The gardens are also a major draw with fountains, canals, pools, flowerbeds, and paths.
Arc de Triomphe
Started in 1806 during Napoleon’s reign, the Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The 164-foot triumphal arch stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. Beneath is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honoring WWI casualties.
The Arc de Triomphe exemplifies Neoclassical architecture and provides outstanding views along the Champs-Élysées.
Romance and Charm
Paris is synonymous with romance. From candle-lit dinners for two to picnics by the Seine to sweet cafés, there’s an undeniable charm to Paris. It’s a favorite destination for honeymoons and proposals. Couples flock to Paris to embrace the magic believed to be in the air.
Strolling Hand in Hand
Part of the Parisian ambiance is strolling hand in hand with a lover through picturesque city scenes. Walking across the pedestrian Pont des Arts “Love Lock” bridge or along the Seine embankments creates romantic memories. Day or night, Paris offers intimate urban settings.
Intimate Dining
From cozy corner bistros to riverboat restaurants, Paris restaurants specialize in tête-à-tête dining. Al fresco tables, dim lighting, and charming decor set the mood. Dishes made for sharing like cheese boards, chocolate fondues, and wine complement the romance.
Charming Hideaways
Tucked away cafés, flower-lined alleyways, small museums housing love letters, hidden gardens and courtyards, and candle-lit spots ideal for stealing a kiss – Paris seduces visitors with its secret charms. Exploring hand in hand never knowing what enchantment you may discover next is quintessentially Parisian.
A Tapestry of Fabled Neighborhoods
Paris is famous for its vibrant neighborhoods, and Montmartre stands out as a picturesque and hilly gem, home to the iconic Basilica of Sacré Coeur, the romantic Love Wall, bohemian artists, and panoramic views of the city. This artistic haven, with its winding cobblestone streets, quaint cafés, charming boutiques, and cozy ateliers, invites visitors to immerse themselves in its rich cultural heritage.
The ghosts of renowned painters, writers, and musicians seem to linger, infusing the air with creative energy. Picturesque staircases adorned with old lampposts lead to hidden corners, offering glimpses into the area’s storied past. Montmartre is a living canvas where contemporary artists continue to leave their mark, drawing inspiration from the neighborhood’s timeless allure, while authentic bistros and cozy eateries serve up mouthwatering French cuisine, often accompanied by the melodic strains of live music.
With its intimate theaters, art galleries, and music venues, Montmartre’s vibrant cultural scene provides a stage for emerging talents and celebrated icons alike, transporting visitors to a realm where art, history, and joie de vivre intertwine harmoniously.
Conclusion
Paris offers iconic landmarks, world-renowned art and fashion, delectable cuisine, glimpses into the past, and romance around every corner. Visitors flock to Paris to experience its many charms from strolling along the Seine to getting lost among the city’s magical neighborhoods.
With so many facets that make it famous, it’s easy to see why Paris remains one of the most beloved cities in the world. The “City of Light” continues to enchant generations with its masterful blend of culture, history, beauty, and French joie de vivre. Paris has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most celebrated, inspirational, and romantic cities on Earth.
FAQs
Why is Paris called the “City of Light”?
Paris earned the nickname “City of Light” during the 18th century Age of Enlightenment which emphasized reason and science. Paris was a thriving cultural hub during this period. It was also one of the first European capitals to install street lighting which illuminated Paris literally and metaphorically.
What is Paris Syndrome?
Paris Syndrome is a condition primarily affecting Japanese tourists who feel extreme disappointment when the reality of Paris and the French doesn’t meet their high ideals. Symptoms can include anxiety, dizziness, sweating, hallucinations, and more. It’s a form of culture shock.
What is the weather like in Paris?
Paris has a temperate oceanic climate. Summers are mild with average highs in the 70s Fahrenheit while winters are chilly with average highs in the 40s. Rainfall is spread throughout the year. The most ideal weather is in spring and fall with comfortably cool temperatures.
What is Paris known for food-wise besides pastries?
Paris cuisine highlights classic French fare like crepes, quiche, ratatouille, coq au vin, cassoulet, foie gras, escargot, souffles, steak frites, cheeses, and, of course, wine. The fresh produce, bread, cheeses, and sauces are world-renowned.
What is the best way to see Paris?
Combining walking, public transportation like the metro and bus, and Seine river cruises allows you to experience Paris neighborhoods most authentically. Walking lets you stroll charming streets at leisure while buses and the metro provide quick connections between major landmarks and districts.
What is the Paris Pass and is it worth it?
The Paris Pass is a sightseeing card providing access to over 60 Paris attractions, museums, tours, and public transportation. You can customize its duration. While a pricier option, it allows you to bypass lines and pack in the most sights efficiently. For avid sight-seers, it can offer savings.