Visiting the stunning, world-famous Eiffel Tower and viewing the city from on high is considered by many the traditional right of passage when visiting Paris.  Nearby are: the Palais de Chaillot and its museums, the Musée du Quai Branly (ethnography) and the Musée Marmottan Monet (an excellent art museum focused on the works of Monet)
BUT THESE PLACES ARE STILL WORTH THE VISIT, THANKS THEY HAVE BEEN ALL ROUNDED.


Towering Notre Dame Cathedral and its island home, the île de la Cite, are the visual crown of the historic heart of Paris.  In 2013 the cathedral will celebrate its 850th birthday accompanied by nine newly cast bronze bells. Nearby is the Palais de Justice made famous during the French Revolution, the Conciergerie (where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned), the stained glass mastery of the church Saint Chapelle, the famous Pont Neuf Bridge, and the delightful residences and shops of the island Île de Sainte Louis.


  This the romantic heart of Paris and one of the most popular streets for strolling and shopping while  gazing at the monumental Arc de Triomphe.  Seine River cruises are nearby.   Click for more details on the many things to see and do on the Champs Elysées.



Perhaps the most well-known and important of the world's museums, the Louvre has an incomparable collection of art (including the Mona Lisa), statuary and historic artifacts.  The beautiful Tuilleries Gardens are nearby, as is the Orangerie that houses Monet's famous Water Lily paintings.  Click for more details on the Louvre at its surrounding attractions.


Home of the Sorbonne, the Pantheon, the fabulous Museum of the Middle Ages and the Delacroix Museum, this is the historic, "intellectual capital" of Paris. The Luxembourg Gardens is a wonderful park in the middle of the city and nearby St. Germain-des-Prés is trendy shopping area full of interesting boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants.  Da Vinci Code fans should be on the lookout of the church Saint-Sulpice in Saint Germain-des-Pres.


The Saint Louis des Invalides church houses the final resting place of Napoleon I, and many other of France's military heroes.  Nearby is the Musée d'Orsay, the grand museum of the Impressionists, as well as the Rodin Museum exhibiting many of the master's works.









The Marais is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris and its Places des Vosges is a delightful 17th century residential square.  The nearby Musée Picasso is a must see (it reopens in summer 2013), as is the Musée Carnavalet focused on the history of Paris.  Les Halles ( a modern version of the historic markets of Paris), the amazing Pompidou Center and its modern art, as well as the Stately Hôtel de Ville, the City Hall of Paris are in close proximity.  In addition, the Place de la Bastille is nearby, although there is not much to see of importance has survived the passage of time.



The scene for countless novels, movies and paintings, Montmartre is another of the popular destinations in Paris. See the famous church Sacre Couer, the artists at the Place du Tertre and, if you are a fan on the "can-can", get reservations for the Moulin Rouge.  Click for more details on Montmartre and its interesting neighborhood.

So you got all these places thrilling. Hope you knew this!