Paris is a city of art and culture. Every single day, all year
long, some three hundred arts and culture-related events take place.
Many of them are annual events, like Paris-Plages, a summer event which
transforms parts of the city into a seaside resort during almost two
months.
Paris is hosting 173 museums and lots of historical monuments. Here the top ten most popular landmarks and tourist sights.
Notre-Dame, One of the most singular and beautiful cathedrals of Europe. 13 million visitors every year. Five daily services.
www.notredamedeparis.fr
Sacre-Coeur,
the city’s highest landmark and world-famous basilica of Montmartre,
which offers a spectacular view extending over a 50 kilometres’ radius.
More than 10 million yearly visitors.
www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com
The Louvre Museum,
formerly the residence of the Kings of France, today one of the
greatest art museums in the world, exhibiting 35,000 works, including
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. 8.5 million visitors in 2008.
www.louvre.fr
The Eiffel Tower, the number one Paris landmark and must-see monument. 324 metres high, 120 years old. 7 million visitors in 2008.
www.tour-eiffel.fr
Centre Pompidou,
dedicated to modern and contemporary creation. Combining the largest
collection of modern art in Europe with a library, shows and music. The
external architecture of the building is famous for its ultra-modern
appearance. 5.5 million visitors every year.
www.centrepompidou.fr
Cité des Sciences de la Villette,
a complex located in the Parc de la Villette, presenting a
comprehensive panorama of science and technology. Offers a multitude of
activities that make science and technology fun and accessible. More
than 3 million visitors a year.
www.cite-sciences.fr
Musée d’Orsay,
art museum in an old train station. Housing the world's most important
collection of impressionist and post-impressionist painting, with works
of Monet, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Manet and many others. 3 million visitors
in 2008.
www.musee-orsay.fr
Arc de Triomphe, Monument commissioned by Napoleon, made to evoke sheer military power and triumph. More than a million visitors every year.
www.arc-de-triomphe.monuments-nationaux.fr
Jardin du Luxembourg,
bordering the Latin Quarter, this public garden is one of the largest
in the city and the chief lung of the Left bank. Full of flowers and
Parisians looking for sun and peace. Housing the French Senate in
Palais du Luxembourg.
www.senat.fr/visite/jardin
Avenue des Champs-Elysées,
properly the most famous street in the world, and often judged to be
the most beautiful, or at least the most grandiose. A walk at the
Champs-Elysées is a must for all new-comers.
www.champselysees.org