What to see and do in Paris: beyond the Eiffel Tower

Paris is the capital of France and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The city is home to some of the most famous landmarks in the world, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum. Paris is also known for its fashion, food, wine, and art scene. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Traveling from London to Paris

If you’re looking to travel from London to Paris as we did, there are a few options available to you. You can take the Eurostar train (which we did) which goes directly between the two cities, or you can take a ferry across the English Channel. Both options are relatively quick and easy, so it just depends on your preference. You might consider flying but wouldn’t recommend it. It will take you just as long (or longer), cost more, and you will have to deal with yet another airport. Whichever way you choose to travel, you’re sure to have a great time in both of these amazing cities!

The Subway

The Paris subway system is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to get around the city. The subway can take you to all of the major tourist attractions, and it’s a great way to avoid traffic. Visitors can purchase a day pass or a week pass, and they can use their pass to ride on any of the city’s metro lines. The Paris subway is a great way to see the city and get around quickly.

The one item to keep an eye out for is the ever-happening picketing that may affect the trains. Depending on where you stay, a lot of things can be accessed by foot if you are willing to walk a little bit. We stayed near the Louve and shy of the catacombs and Disney we walked nearly everywhere else.

The Catacombs

The Catacombs are a network of underground ossuaries, or cemeteries, in Paris. They are located under the streets and buildings of Paris, as well as several other cities around France. There are approximately six million sets of human remains entombed here; they include both individuals who died between the 18th century and World War II (the majority), but also many earlier burials dating back to prehistoric times.

The bones are arranged in decorative patterns that reflect their historical significance: each person is given their own unique space based on their rank or profession within society at the time they died. It’s estimated that only about 1% of these skeletons remain intact today—most have been looted for use as decorations or souvenirs.

Be sure to book tickets ahead of time. On both occasions I have visited, it saved us tons of time. There is a “waitlist” line where you can try and go ad-hoc, but you will be behind all the ticket holders. There really is no reason not to already have a ticket, so book early and get your tickets.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic sites in Paris. It’s also a must-see for any traveler, and you can visit the second floor, or the very top, where you’ll get a great view from above. The tower was built in 1889, and it stands 324 meters tall. The Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid monument in the world, and it is an instantly recognizable symbol of Paris.

Visitors can take a lift to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the city, or they can enjoy a meal at one of the tower’s restaurants. No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower.

We didn’t eat at the top, but we did hit the second floor and grab an ice cream. We chose to take the elevator to the top but ended up walking down to the second floor, before catching the elevator the rest of the way down. I highly suggest taking the elevator, whether you are fit enough to make the climb you didn’t reach the top all sweaty and it certainly saves time if you had other plans for the day. Again, plan early and get your tickets. They tend to sell out months in advance during peak periods. Do not wait until you get there or your only option will be to hike up (which you can only do to the second level)

Slava’s Moulin Jaune

Otherwise known as the Yellow Mill, Slava’s Moulin Jaune is not your typical well-known tourist spot. I don’t believe it is normally open to visitors, but during the Paris Summer Festivals they open up to outside visitors. We originally found this place as we were looking for traditional Paris clowns. What we end up finding, in addition to clowns, was what I can only describe as an artist commune.

In addition to seeing the clown show they put on, you were able to roam the grounds. I don’t know for sure, but it seemed like the area was dedicated to an artist and their living quarters. Ever was very different, with many including areas for sleeping. As you walk around you can imagine yourself living there and connecting with your inner artist.

As you can tell from the art, it wasn’t your typical location. It was the type of thing you would see in some weird movie or in a dream. Combined with the clowns, it was a very unique thing to see in Paris compared to your standard tourist attractions and mesumes.

Colonne Vendôme

The Colonne Vendôme is a victory column in Paris, located on the Place Vendôme. It was built between 1806 and 1810 to commemorate Napoleon’s military victories of the previous decade. It stands tallest of the four similar columns erected in major French cities; the others are located in Brest (1838), Lille (1840), and Strasbourg (1848). The column is decorated with a spiral relief, made up of laurel wreaths and eagles, symbolizing Napoleon’s victories.

The column is 43.3 meters (142 ft) in height, and the statue of Napoleon on top is 6.6 meters (22 ft) tall. The column was originally surmounted by a statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, sculpted by Jean-Baptiste Kléber. This was replaced by a new statue, sculpted by François Rude, in 1840. The new statue depicts Napoleon as a Roman emperor, dressed in a toga and crowned with a laurel wreath.

The column is only a short walk from the Louvre and worth a walk by if you’re in the area. It’s nothing I would necessarily go out of my way to see, but if you find yourself nearby its worth a quick look.

Paris Opera House

The Paris Opera House is a world-famous opera house located in Paris, France. It is considered to be one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world and has been home to some of the most famous operas and ballet performances in history.

The Paris Opera House is also one of the largest opera houses in the world, with a capacity of over 2,000 people. The opera house is located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris and was built in 1874. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris, with over 1 million visitors each year.

Unfortunately due to the pandemic, they were not holding performances and we were unable to attend. The best we were able to do was a quick photo while we were in the area heading to a pharmacy to get our health card we were going to need later in the week for entrance to other locations. Of course, these restrictions have since ended, but at the time they were needed to enter any public event.

The Panthéon

The Panthéon is a building that has been in use since 1747 and is the final resting place of many great French figures. It’s located on Boulevard Saint-Germain, near the Louvre Museum.

There are two museums inside this historic building: one with art exhibits from around Europe, including paintings by Monet and Degas; another with sculptures by Rodin and other famous artists.

The Pantheon is a former church in Paris that now serves as a mausoleum for some of France’s most famous citizens. The building was originally built as a church in the 18th century, but it was later secularized and turned into a mausoleum. The Pantheon is home to the tombs of many famous Frenchmen, including Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie. The Pantheon is a must-see for anyone interested in French history.

Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame is a gothic cathedral located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. It was built as a memorial to Mary Magdalene and has been called “the most beautiful church in France.”

The church has been damaged by fire and turned into a museum, but it still stands tall and proud. The tomb of King Louis IX is at its heart, along with that of his wife Eleanor de Montfort (who died young). It also contains some very important paintings such as “The Last Judgement,” which depicts God surrounded by angels watching over humankind through eternity.

Food

Paris is a foodie’s paradise. The city is full of amazing restaurants and cafes, so you really can’t go wrong when it comes to trying new things.

If you’re looking for something simple, try ordering some croissants at your local bakery (you’ll probably have to get up early if you want them fresh). If you’re feeling more adventurous, grab a baguette from a nearby boulangerie—they have tons of different kinds! You might also want to try out their cheese selection; there are so many types available that it’s hard not to find one that suits your tastes.

Paris is known for its food, and there are plenty of places to enjoy a meal. From Michelin-starred restaurants to casual cafes, there’s something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy traditional French cuisine, or they can try some of the city’s famous street food. There are also plenty of places to get a good cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

In all honesty, we didn’t make a lot of time for food. We found ourselves picky up a pastry here and there during our adventure for the day. We did however eat at the cafe near the Lourve before opening. It is normally bustling with people and difficult to get a reservation but given we were able to visit as the country was re-opening, it was very quiet and relaxing and a perfect start to our Lourve day.

Speaking of the Lourve, see our experience there and other places in France we visited that should not be missed.

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