Essential visits
A visit to the Eiffel Tower is one of the first activities when visiting Paris. It is the emblem of Paris and is one of the most visited monuments in the world. On the first floor the glass floor will give you the feeling of walking in the void. From the second floor you can see monuments such as the Louvre, the Invalides, the Grand Palais and Notre Dame. This is also the gastronomy floor, where you will find the Michelin-starred Jules Verne restaurant run by Chef Frédéric Anton, and from autumn 2020 a brasserie, with the excellent Thierry Marx at the stove, will open its doors. In addition, a macaroon bar is also available on the same floor. Finally, the emotion is intense when you discover the breathtaking view from the top.
A single visit to the Louvre will not allow you to discover all its treasures, since 35,000 works, including the Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa and the Raft of the Medusa, await you here. But also many architectural trends from the medieval fortress to the new glass roof hosting the Arts of Islam and the Pei pyramid in 1989. A visit at night is recommended because it creates a unique atmosphere and a smaller number of visitors.
Since its reopening in 2011, the Musée d'Orsay has offered completely renovated spaces as well as an additional 400 m2. The first thing that strikes you is the architecture and beauty of the place. A majestic former railway station, inaugurated for the 1900 Universal Exhibition.
Located on the Place de l'Opéra, the Palais Garnier was originally called the Paris Opera until the creation of the Bastille Opera in 1989. It is also known as the Garnier Opera House. It is a masterpiece of theatrical architecture from the end of the 19th century and has been classified as a historical monument since 1923.
The Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most visited monuments in France. Built at the request of Saint Louis to house the Holy Crown of Thorns of Christ, it is distinguished by the elegance of its almost wall-less and entirely glassed-in architecture. A unique ensemble of 15 glass windows and a rose that makes it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built at the request of Napoleon I to pay tribute to the Grande Armée, the Arc de Triomphe is the ideal place for the best view of the Champs Elysées. It houses the tomb of the Unknown Soldier whose flame is rekindled every evening.
Just a stone's throw from the Champs Elysées, the Grand Palais is one of the most characteristic Parisian monuments. Listed as a historical monument since 2000, it is easily recognisable by its large glass dome. Composed of three large sites, it is an architectural masterpiece mixing glass, steel and stone. It offers events and exhibitions.
For your information, the Grand Palais will close at the end of 2020 and will reopen in 2023 for renovation.
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral is also the most visited monument in France. It was restored in the 19th century after the damage of the French Revolution and welcomed eight new bells in 2013, but its construction dates back to the Middle Ages. The stained glass windows, rose windows, gargoyles, spires and towers are admired by visitors. Finally, you can enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the towers. After a serious fire on 15/04/19 the cathedral is closed until further notice.
Unmissable walks
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rives de Seine Park is a real place for walking along the water's edge. It stretches along both banks of the Seine and is 7 kilometres long in total. Along the way, you will find playgrounds for children, café terraces, petanque courts, climbing walls and picnic areas. A popular place for Parisians to find a little coolness when it's hot. But not only that, there are also some very nice views of the monuments.
With 300,000 visitors a day, the Champs-Elysées avenue is no longer in the news. Nicknamed the most beautiful avenue in the world, people come here to shop and admire the great monuments. From the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, you should know that this mythical avenue was a swamp under Louis XIV. It was his gardener who laid the "first stones". A prestigious avenue where you can find many luxury brands: jewellery, ready-to-wear and gastronomy!
With a surface area of 25 hectares, it was Marie de Médicis who had the Luxembourg garden created to accompany the palace (seat of the Senate) which is located to the north of the garden. Of Italian inspiration, it is a garden open to the public that attracts Parisians and tourists from all over the world. You will find an "English garden" part and another "French garden" part with a geometric forest and a large pond in between. There are also activities for children and a greenhouse with a magnificent collection of orchids. A walk that the whole family will enjoy.
The Sacré-Coeur basilica is the first place you visit when you go to the Butte Montmartre district. Located on the top of the hill, it can be reached by funicular or on foot, 222 steps for the most motivated. Once at the top, you will enjoy the magnificent view of the capital. On the way back down, you will discover the Place du Tertre, the vineyards of Montmartre, the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret but also the Rue des Abbesses, the Pigalle district and the Montmartre cemetery.
With over 70,000 graves, Père-Lachaise is the most visited cemetery in the world. And although it has become a tourist attraction, it is still a working cemetery. All styles of funerary art can be found there and during your walk you will discover the graves of famous people such as Molière, Yves Montand, Simone Signoret, Edith Piaf, Balzac or Oscar Wilde... Located in the 20th arrondissement, you should know that its name comes from the confessor of King Louis XIV, Father François d'Aix de La Chaise.
Campsites to discover Paris
If only the Paris campsite **** is located directly in the heart of the French capital, in the Bois de Boulogne, you can choose a campsite in Ile-de-France as a base. We recommend the 4-star campsite Paris Maisons Lafitte, located just a few minutes from Paris by RER, or the 4-star campsite Fredland, located in Seine-et-Marne, 35 minutes from Paris and 20 minutes from Disneyland Paris.