Here's what we considere to be the best of the best in Paris.
We hope you get chance to experience some of them, as well as find some personal favorites of your own.
The Champs-Elysees from the Arc de Triomphe. From here you can admire the vista down the Champs-Elysees toward place de la Concorde and the distant Louvre.
The Eiffel Tower from Trocadero. This view of the Eiffel Tower is unsurpassed and is particularly pretty when the fountains in Trocadero plaza are on.
Paris spread out beneath the Sacre-Coeur at Montmartre. The basilica is set on the highest hill in Paris, providing extensive views over the city.
Notre Dame from the Pont de l'Archeveche. Standing on the bridge behind Notre Dame, you'll have breathtaking views of the east end of the cathedral, ringed by flying buttresses, surmounted by the spire.
Arc
de Triomphe. Commissioned by Napoleon I as a monument to his military might,
this is the largest triumphal arch in the world. Pl. Charles-de-Gaulle. Admission:
31 frs adults, 21 frs students and senior citizens, 10 frs under 18. Open daily
10-5:30; winter, daily 10-5. Closed public holidays.
Metro
station:
Etoile.
Eiffel
Tower. The 10,000-ton result of a contest held to design a tower for the 1889
World Exposition, the Eiffel Tower is the most-recognized landmark in Paris.
Pont d'Iena. By elevator: 2nd floor, 20 frs; 3rd floor, 36 frs; 4th floor, 53
frs. By foot: 2nd and 3rd floors only, 12 frs. Open July-Aug., daily 9 AM-midnight;
Sept.-June, daily 9 AM-11 PM.
Metro
station:
Bir Hakeim.
RER station: Champ-de-Mars.
The
Louvre's glass pyramids. These modern glass structures were extremely controversial
when first unveiled; they were designed by I. M. Pei as a new entrance to the
museum. Palais du Louvre. Admission: 40 frs adults; 20 frs 18-25 years, over
60, after 3 PM and Sun.; children under 18 free. Open Thurs.-Sun. 9-6, Mon. and
Wed. 9 AM-9:45 PM. Some sections open limited days.
Call: 01-40-20-53-17
Metro
station:
Palais-Royal.
The bronze column on place de la Bastille. The site of the infamous Bastille prison, destroyed on July 14, 1789, is marked by the July Column, commemorating the 1830 and 1848 risings.
Notre
Dame Cathedral. The most historic and dominant church in the city. Climb to the
towers for a glimpse of the gargoyles and for wonderful views of Paris. Place
du Parvis. Admission free.
Metro
station:
Cite.
St-Germain-des-Pres.
This is the oldest church in Paris; its classical facade disguises its late-Romanesque
interior. Open weekdays 8-7:30; weekends 8-9.
Metro
station:
St-Germain-des-Pres.
Sainte-Chapelle.
Built by Louis IX (1226-1270) to house what he believed to be the Crown of Thorns
from Christ's crucifixion and fragments of the True Cross, the Ste-Chapelle shimmers
with stained glass. Admission: 26 frs adults, 17 frs students and senior citizens.
Joint ticket with Conciergerie: 40 frs. Open daily 9:30-6:30; winter, daily 10-6.
Call: 01-43-54-30-09 for concert information.
Metro
station:
Cite.
Eglise
du Dome. Under the dome of this magnificently commanding Baroque church, part
of Les Invalides, Napoleon rests in imperial splendor. Hôtel des Invalides. Admission:
34 frs adults, 24 frs children and senior citizens. Open daily 10-6; winter,
daily 10-5.
Metro station: St-François-Xavier.