Embrace the Cliche: 15 things We Love About Paris

Paris is full of world-recognised landmarks and we've put together the top things we love about Paris

Bienvenue à Paris, the home of Eiffel Tower keyrings and hundreds of types of cheese. While it may be tempting to steer clear of the tourist hotspots, we’re here to encourage you to embrace les clichés – they really are rather good. Brought to you by the team at the Paris Pass, here is our guide to 15 things we love about Paris!

Le Palais de Versaille

Not strictly in Paris, but just a short train ride away, the Versaille palace was home to French kings from Louis VIII to Louis XVI. It survived the French Revolution remarkably well and is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Why not marvel at the Hall of Mirrors, amble through the grounds, admire the fountains or explore the Trianon? There is even the perfect French word for a leisurely stroll through the gardens: la flânerie.

L’Arc de Triomphe

Another icon of Paris, this 19th-century triumphal arch was built at the end of the Napoleonic wars and now commemorates all those who fought for France. It also houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was added in 1921. Climb 40 steps to the top for great views across the Champs-Elysées or attend the rekindling of the eternal flame at 6.30pm every evening.

La Cathédrale de Notre Dame

The famous gothic cathedral, home to gargoyles and fictional hunchbacks, continues to be one of the most popular places to visit in Paris. Head for the towers to look out across the city or descend into the crypt for a unique perspective on the development of Île de la Cité, the historical heart of Paris.

Le Musée du Louvre

Did you know that the Louvre is the largest art museum in the world, housing an amazing 380,000 different pieces of art? Famous for the Mona Lisa, it’s also home to the Venus de Milo, the Code of Hammurabi, the Great Sphinx of Tanis and treasures from across the millennia.

La tour Eiffel

That’s the Eiffel Tower to you and me, completed in 1889 and the most easily recognisable part of the Paris skyline. Named after engineer Gustave Eiffel, it was originally intended as a temporary attraction for the Exposition Universelle (World Fair), but is still going strong more than 100 years later. Take the lift or brave the 704 steps, test your nerve with the glass floor on level 1 or splash out on a special meal at one of five restaurants... Whatever you do, just make sure you take lots of photos.

Le Musée d’Orsay

Housed in an enormous former railway station under a roof made from 35,000m2 of glass, the Orsay museum is home to a large collection of impressionist and post-impressionist artworks. Delacroix, Manet, Gauguin, Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, Sisley, van Gogh... the list goes on.

Centre Pompidou

Nothing could be less clichéd than the Centre Georges Pompidou, but it’s nevertheless one of Paris’ most famous sites. Designed inside-out, the buildings’ ducts and pipes are on the outside, to leave more space for work from 5,000 artists including Picasso, Duchamp, Ernst and Miró.

Disneyland Paris

A guilty pleasure or innocent delight? This may depend on your age group and attitude towards princesses, but Disneyland remains one of Paris’ major attractions. Say ‘bonjour’ to Mickey.

Panthéon

Modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, this beautiful building has alternated between church and patriotic monument over the centuries. It’s now the final resting place for many great writers, scientists, generals, politicians and men of the church who have shaped the history of France, including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile Zola, Alexandre Dumas, and Pierre and Marie Curie.

Montmartre

Some might say that the bohemian quarter of Paris is one big cliché, but it’s nevertheless a great place for a day out. Climb the hill to enjoy the views in front of Sacré Coeur or drift through the streets until you find a good place for a café en terrasse, with a side order of people-watching.

Musée National Picasso-Paris

Picasso was one of the many famous residents of Montmartre, so it’s fitting to introduce this museum as the next highlight. Although proudly Spanish, Picasso spent long years in France and didn’t return to his homeland after Franco’s victory in the Civil War. This collection includes many pieces donated by Picasso’s family to avoid inheritance tax.

La Bastille

Curious about this famous name? The prison itself was of course destroyed during the French Revolution, but some of its foundations are still visible at the local metro station. As well as being home to the Opera and the zoo, this hip neighbourhood is also a great place for restaurants and food markets. Maybe it’s time to pick up some fromage as a souvenir too?

La Seine

Messing about on the river is surely always a good idea and there are many tours to choose from in Paris. Enjoy the unique perspective and hop off (or on) at many top landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Louvre.

Montparnasse

This neighbourhood is home to the Montparnasse Tower, the only skyscraper in Paris and another great spot for views and selfies. It’s also where you’ll find the entrance point to the catacombes, Paris’ ancient ossuary housing the remains of more than 6 million people in a labyrinth of tunnels over 1.7km long. This offers a fascinating and unusual take on the city.

Le vélib’

This portmanteau is made up of vélo (bicycle) and libre-service (self-service) and represents a city-wide bike sharing system. With over 23,600 bicycles and 1,800 bike stations located every 300 metres or so, this can be a fun way to explore Paris. Bike lanes can be looked up online, if you’re not confident with big-city cycling. There are of course many other great places to visit in Paris. Where will you go?