Paris, France is known as the City of Love is a magical place with exquisite architecture, delicious food, and beautiful culture. As a design geek, some of the most famous architecture can be found in and in the surroundings of Paris. Here are my favorite must-sees and top places to visit in Paris!

Chateau de Versailles

The most famous castle in France and a must visit is the Chateau de Versailles, a residence that was built for King Louis XIV. Located 14 miles southwest of Paris, I would recommend a day here with the travel time to get there and back and the time it takes to see the entire place. This massive complex with its Renaissance influence of lavish decor, furniture and gilded work is a sprawling property including exterior gardens. Versailles starts at the state apartments, through the famous hall of mirrors and the queens chambers. Don’t forget to stroll through the famous French gardens where you can end your visit and lounge in the grass. This is easily one of my favorite places to visit in Paris because you feel like you are living in a fairy tale on this palace.

Montparnasse Tower

The Montparnasse Tower is considered to have the best views of Paris and once you reach the top of the observation deck you can see why. There are a lower deck and upper deck with panoramic views of the entire city and the Eiffel Tower. I recommend booking tickets in advance online so you don’t have to wait in line. You can also enjoy a glass of champagne at the top or have a cocktail and bite at the on-site bar and restaurant.

Seine River

The Seine River runs directly through the Heart of Paris and flows from East to West dividing the City from left bank to right bank. This makes it useful to know where you are in the city. You can also find the many bridges with “locks of love” across the river. Don’t forget to bring a lock to leave! There are also many cruises offered along the river. An iconic river which symbolizes love and romance, I’d say this is a top romantic place to visit in Paris.

Champs Elysees

The most famous boulevard in Paris is the Champs Elysees stretching for more than a mile from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triumph. This is a shoppers mecca, aligned with luxurious stores and everyday shops. This street can get very crowded both during the day and night along its tree lined sidewalks. A trip here is not complete without a stop a Laduree, the city’s most famous macaroon shop!

Center Pompidou

The most visited cultural site in Paris is the Center Pompidou. This is for modern and contemporary art lovers. The museum design is considered to look inside out with its exposed architecture. There are some big names like Matisse, Picasso, and Andy Warhol’s work displayed here. Aside from art, there is also entertainment space, a library, rooftop restaurant and cinema here.

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triumph is the largest of its kind, located at the end of Champs Elysees. Under the Arch, you can find the names of battles fought during the French Republic and Napoleon’s Empire. You can also find the famous tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which represents all of the unidentified soldiers who lost their lives in WWI. The flame there has not been extinguished since it was first lit. You can also go to the top of the Arch and see great views of the city.

Musée d’Orsay

By Architect Renzo Piano, Mused d’Orsay is a very, unique building in a former railway station. It features famous works from French artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, and many others. There is a famous transparent clock at the museum’s top balcony. Another great museum worth the visit.

Musee du Louvre

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Musee du Louvre, considered one of the best museums in both Paris and the World, is the most visited museum in the world! Of course, this easily makes it a very crowded place to visit in Paris. There is art from many different time periods and cultures. Some of the famous masterpieces housed here include the Liberty of Leading the People, The Raft of Medusa, and de Vinci’s Mona Lisa. This place is almost always crowded and you can easily spend a whole day wandering through the 650,000 sqft. of galleries. I recommend mapping a plan of the areas you want to see because it can get overwhelming trying to see the whole place without knowing where to go.

Norte Dame Cathedral

The Norte Dame Cathedral is another must-see considered a Paris icon. Along the picturesque Seine River, this masterpiece is considered one of the best Gothic Cathedrals. The Cathedral sustained significant damage from the 2019 fire and is currently still closed.

The Eiffel Tower

One of the most well-known places to visit in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. You can’t go to Paris without going to see the magical icon, one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions! You can walk up to the first floor or take an elevator all the way to the top. There are usually long lines so I recommend getting your tickets online beforehand. There are great views of the city from the top. I also highly recommend visiting the Eiffel at night for the famous light shows that are on display every hour, a truly magical experience for a night in Paris.