Paris: The City Of Light

I love dealing with the nicknames of great tourist cities. Again, another city of love or Lutèce or the city of light... For me, the most interesting of these nicknames given to Paris is the city of light. It is thought that there are two reasons why it got this nickname; the first is because Paris is one of the first European cities to be lit by gas lamps, and the second and most importantly, its essential role in the Age of Enlightenment. Whatever the real reason, Paris is the symbol of enlightenment, love, and intellectuality for me.

Paris is a city that attracts many travelers due to its historical buildings, museums, cafes, shops, flea markets, and most importantly, French history. I have listed the historical and touristic places that must be seen in Paris for you. You can fill your suitcases as soon as possible for this trip that will take a few days. Let's get started, Travelhist!

1. Eiffel Tower

As you can easily guess, I reserved the first row of our list of places to visit in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, which is an engineering marvel.

The iconic tower with 3 viewing terraces was brought to the city as the entrance gate of the Expo 1889 Fair, which was held within the framework of the 100th-anniversary celebrations of the French Revolution. During the construction period between 1887-1889, the design of Gustave Eiffel was adhered to. However, this process did not have the desired effect on the local people.

Discussions about the 324-meter Eiffel Tower continue even today. Most of the people of Paris describe the building as a dagger in the city's heart. Travelers, especially those traveling to the capital of France for the first time, flock to the tower to enjoy the fantastic view and have romantic moments.

2, Notre-Dame de Paris

After the Eiffel, I will tell you about Notre Dame Cathedral, which is the most essential proof of the architectural elegance of Paris.

The Gothic-style religious building was built between 1163-1334 in the area on the banks of the Seine River. This place, where the cathedral rises, was also considered sacred by the Celts and Romans.

The road passing in front of the main gate of Notre Dame Cathedral is called "the last judgment." Religiously valuable objects such as the crown of thorns of Jesus increase the cultural importance of the building several times.

3. Louvre Museum

While talking about the city's symbols, I think it would be unfair not to mention the Louvre Museum, which is among one of the most important museums in the world.

Why am I saying that? Because nearly 35 thousand works are exhibited in the cultural facility. Among these, the most intense interest is the Venus of Milo and the Marly Horses, as well as the Mona Lisa, which became famous in the 20th century.

The purpose of the building of the museum is actually quite different from its current use. Because the historical building was first built by Philippe Auguste in 1204 for defense against Viking raids. The palace, where the royal family stayed in the 14th century, took its final shape in 1934.

It takes weeks to examine the entire collection at the Louvre. The museum also gets very crowded during daylight hours. For those who don't like crowds and who are after a different ambiance, the museum is open for night visits on certain days of the month.

4. Sacre Coeur Basilica

From a high point, especially from the observation decks of the Eiffel, when you look towards the summit of Montmartre, you can see the enchanting Sacre Coeur Basilica.

Surrounded by vast grass areas, the basilica was built between 1875-1914 in memory of those who lost their lives in the Franco-Prussian War in 1874. Inspired by Roman and Byzantine architecture, the religious building offers visitors the privilege of seeing impressive works such as the "Great Mosaic of Christ Majesty."

Of course, I suggest that you do not just visit the interior of the Sacre Coeur. Because if you climb the 300 steps and climb to its dome, you can enjoy the privilege of watching the city's exquisite view. You can prefer the grass area in front of the basilica when you go down to take a breather.

5. Arc de Triomphe

If you go up during your Champs Elysées ride, you can see the Arc de Triomphe, which is considered an architectural masterpiece.

The construction of the landmark that adorns Charles de Gaulle Square was started in 1806 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte. However, it took 30 years to complete the process.

There is the monument named "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" just below the arch, where you can enjoy the historical silhouette of the city from one side and look at modern Paris from the other side. This monument was built in memory of those who died during World War I.

After visiting the monument, I recommend you to go to the observation terrace at the top to enjoy the view. Especially at sunset, it is a pleasure to watch the view from here.

6. Seine

I suggest you add the Seine River, which adds vitality to the atmosphere of Paris, to your list of places to visit in Paris for two reasons. The first of these reasons is that the river allows observing the cityscape from different angles. The second reason is the entertaining content offered during the boat tour.

12 kilometers of the river, with a total length of 776 kilometers, passes through the City of Light. You can join the boat tours organized by three different companies to visit this part of the river, including the Ile de la Cite, which is considered the place where Paris was founded.

Boats belonging to Bateaux Mouches, the oldest tour company, sail every 20 minutes during the season. Likewise, Bateaux Parisiens offers travelers the same quality content throughout the day. If you wish to move more comfortably, you can choose Batobus, which works with the hop-on-hop-off logic.

You don't necessarily have to take boat tours to know the beauties that Alone Sen offers to its guests. You can also consider crossing the roads parallel to the river on a bicycle or on foot if you wish.

7, Opéra National de Paris

Paris' elegant Opera House owes its fame not only to its magnificent performances but also to its stunning architecture.

The historical building, which is the home of the Paris National Opera, was built in 1669 on the orders of Louis XIV. To be frank, the view of the building, especially in the evening, is breathtakingly beautiful.

The Opera House has two main halls, the Opera Bastille and the Palais Garnier. With a capacity of 2,700 seats, Opera Bastille was designed in a contemporary style and was put into service in 1989. Palais Garnier, which fascinates its guests with its magnificent interior decoration, is much older. The 1970-seat hall opened its doors to art lovers in 1875.