Paris {The Sights}

There is so much to do and see in Paris! Deciding what to do, and what to skip, can be overwhelming, especially with limited time in the "City of Lights."

This post includes a list of the Paris sights that we saw, with photos and reviews for each. Hopefully this post will serve as your own little Paris tour or it will help to inspire your future visit. 

To see more about the basics of our trip, read the Paris Overview post. I'll be posting again soon with what we ate in Paris.

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Paris is a feast for the eyes. Many of the scenes are exactly like the paintings and images you've seen a million times: cream colored buildings topped with blue grey awnings, and dotted with ornate iron balconies, charming shutters, and colorful flowers. There are huge and historic churches like Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur mixed with modern and geometric masterpieces like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre pyramid.  No design detail is spared. 

The sights from our visit in Paris include:

• The Eiffel Tower 
• The Louvre pyramid
• The Siene River and Pont des Arts (the former lock bridge)
• île de la Cité and Notre Dame
• Monmartre and Sacre Coeur 
• Galleries Layfayette 
• Overall Paris charm

Paris' charm is everywhere, just look up!

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The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) was an absolute must see during my first visit in Paris. We didn't go to all the way to the top, but to the second floor. While I was initially worried about this decision, the second floor proved to be incredible.

Our tickets were part of our Fat Tire Tours Night Bike Tour with Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Visit. We breezed quickly through the Eiffel Tower's security line, waited less than 20 minutes for our scheduled elevator time, then ascended up to the second floor. The elevators, which move diagonally up the tower, are a marvel in themselves. Once on the second floor we took our time walking entirely around the viewing deck, taking photos, watching the city light up, and even catching a fireworks show from afar.

The absolute highlight of our visit was catching the Eiffel Tower's light show while standing ON the Eiffel Tower. It was pure magic and I cried. (SPOILER ALERT: This will not be the only time I cry on this trip.) If you do nothing else in Paris - do this! The light show happens every night. It lasts for just five minutes and takes place  every hour on the hour. The start time depends on sunset and was very late (at 11 pm) when we visited at the beginning of July.

I'd heard that the tower is disappointing, the wait is gnarly, and the experience overall is disappointing. None of that was true. If you go to Paris and want to see the Eiffel Tower DO IT, find a way. Catch the light show from the tower at night. Get up very early in the morning and visit before the crowds, you'll likely be jet-lagged anyways. Book your tickets months in advance and/or spend the additional money for a skip-the-line tour, you will not regret it.

The Eiffel Tower, Paris' centerpiece

Paris at dusk, as seen from the Second Floor of the Eiffel Tower

Jet lagged Americans, one wearing Portugal shirt, standing on the second floor of Paris' Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower's light show, as seen from the second floor of the tower. It was so beautiful and magical, I cried!

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The Louve Pyramid

While we didn't have time to go inside the Louvre museum (Musèe de Louvre) or see its famous resident, Mona Lisa, we spent some time in the Louve courtyard, called Cour Napoléon, during our bicycle tour through the city. The "neighborhood" includes both the Louvre pyramid (Pyramide du Louvre) and the surrounding palace (Palais du Louvre) which are in themselves a sight to be seen.

The contrast of the geometric and modern pyramid against the much older and more ornate palace is so interesting. The pyramid isn't just a giant ornament, it's an the entrance to the museum. I was surprised to see the pools of water surrounding the pyramid. They add a really nice and cooling vibe to the courtyard. The area was nearly empty and absolutely stunning at sunset. We had plenty of freedom to walk around, ride our bikes, and take photos. This would be a great spot to sit and people watch with a picnic lunch or cup of coffee.

This was a pretty cool spot to see, although if your time is limited and you're not visiting the Louvre museum, I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to see the pyramid.

The Louvre Pyramid and the Louvre Palace, in Paris, France

Sunset was a great time to see the Louvre Pyramid, the crowd was tiny and the sky was magical

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The Siene River and Pont des Arts (the former lock bridge)

The Siene River and Pont des Arts (the former lock bridge) are a perfect little Paris pair.

The Siene River wiggles throughout the city and the many bridges of Paris remind me of my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, but with just a tad more beauty and old charm. If you're a Les Miserables (the musical) fan you'll know the river as Javert's grave! 

The Pont des Arts used to be known as the lock bridge. There couples would affix a padlock marked with their initials to the bridge as a symbol of their love. As romantic as that sounds, the weight of the locks was harming the structure and safety of the bridge so the locks were removed and the bridge was outfitted differently to make hanging locks nearly impossible. Some locks can still be found on light posts and smaller hardware, but not on the main structure of the bridge. Anywho, you can walk or ride a bike onto the Pont des Arts and take in the view of the Siene, the surrounding Parisian landscape, the boats and watercraft below, and the many nearby bridges.

I always like to get to the water in a new city and really watch life in motion (fishermen, boats coming in and out, kids playing, tourists dipping their toes in, etc.) and this was a perfect place to do so. I highly recommend finding any bridge, a snack, and a travel buddy and watching life go by from atop the Siene River. The lock bridge has certainly lost it's unique advantage so head to the bridge nearest you!

Paris' Pont des Arts bridge, the former lock bridge, over the Siene River

île de La Citè is seen behind me, from the Pont des Arts (the former Lock Bridge), on the Siene River in Paris, France

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Ìle de la Citè and Notre Dame

île de la Cité is the center of Paris and one of two remaining natural islands (the other being île Saint-Louis). The island is home to Notre Dame, the famous cathedral and seemingly accessible by dozens of bridges. île de la Cite can be seen from Pont des Arts (the lock bridge) while looking downstream.

Notre Dame was larger and more intricate than I ever expected it to be. From outside you first notice the size, then the incredible details all around every level of the cathedral: gargoyles, saints, shapes, windows, and doors. There's a large courtyard just next to Notre Dame so that you can step wayyy back and take a good look at it. No, I didn't spot the hunchback. While we didn't get to attend mass inside or climb the towers to get a good look at the gargoyles, we did take a little walk through the inside.

Everything I said about the outside of Notre Dame is even moreso true about the inside: huge and beautifully intricate. The ceiling seems 100 miles high and every detail, from the floor to the lights and the stained glass, are spectacular. There are little exhibits all around the edges of the building, some focused on the construction and architecture of the building while others are dedicated to different Catholic saints.

Seeing Notre Dame was awesome, both inside and out. Given the chance and enough time, I would love to attend mass and climb to the top!

Unfortunately we spent very little time on île de la Cité outside of visiting Notre Dame. There was a very brief stop for ice cream [stay tuned for Paris {The Food} post coming up next] and unmet hopes to visit Sainte Chapelle which has an incredible stained glass curtain and is said to be inspiration for the Disney Castles.

This island an absolute MUST see for your visit in Paris, and will be again on my list for my second visit, someday!

île de la Citè, the proper center of Paris

Notre Dame was bigger and more ornate than we could have imagined, Paris, France

Notre Dame's Gargoyles keep watch over you!

Inside Notre Dame in Paris, France. What a marvel.

This was an intense moment for me, lighting a candle in Notre Dame. We've lost more than few friends and family members over the past year.

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Montmartre and Sacre Coeur

Montmartre is an adorable and popular neighborhood of Paris that's perched high above the city. The charming area's got steep streets, unique architecture, and it is home to Sacre Coeur, the historic chapel named for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There are various modes of transportation available to get you to the highest point in Paris, although we used the old fashioned method of walking.

The climb to Montmartre wasn't my favorite part of our visit but we really got to take in the sights along the way and the view from the top was amazing. The walk down the hill (heading South) was certainly more enjoyable, wiggling through parks and streets filled with coffee shops, souvenir stores, and locals just going about their daily lives. 

I'd read about Montmartre's secret-garden-style cocktail bars and tours and climbs inside Sacre Coeur, although, again, our visit was just too quick. I'd need at least a full day to explore this area the right way!

Heading up the hill to Montmartre in Paris, on foot!

Have you seen a cuter bus? One of the many ways to ascend/descend to and from Montmartre in Paris.

A snapshot of the architecture and charm of the neighborhood of Montmartre in Paris.

The stunning Sacre Coeur Church, named for the Sacred Heart (of Jesus), perched atop of Paris, in Montmartre.

The view of Paris from its highest point, Sacre Coeur in Montmartre.

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Galleries Layfayette

Galleries Layfayette is an over the top insanely fancy department store. We found ourselves inside the store while on a hunt for Pierre Hermè macarons. Did I mention that the Paris food post will be next? While we were in the store we couldn’t help but marvel at the gorgeous interior. The store looks like an old theatre with several levels of balconies, topped with a huge dome of ornate stained glass. Plus there are multiple Gucci stores inside! While my trip had nothing to do with Paris fashion, seeing this magical store and its contents was a pleasant surprise.

If you're nearby, take a stroll through this store. If you're on the hunt for Pierre Hermè, the Galleries Layfayette is a must-visit!

The sunning interior of the Galleries Layfayette, a department store, in Paris!

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Overall Paris Charm

Finally, the overall Paris charm is worth mentioning. I took dozens of pictures of interesting buildings set against beautiful blue skies. There’s an adorable suitcase statue, welcoming travelers outside the train station, and picturesque streets all around. Our neighborhood, the 9th arrondissment, was particularly adorable and watching the city light up at night took my breath away!

You can't miss the Paris charm, it's everywhere. Take it all in! 

I couldn't get enough of the blue skies and charming old buildings.

A typical Paris street, before the city was awake one morning.

I loved this statue of suitcases outside the Train Station in Paris. It feels like a little tribute to the travelers, especially welcome once you've successfully navigated the trains!

Paris is called the City of Lights and watching the place light up after dark was magnificent.

Our home view and my favorite view, from our hotel in Paris.

I loved Paris and still love looking at these photos of the magnificent city! Get ready because the FOOD was the best part :)

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