Is Paris, the city of light overrated? Most people think it is, because of all the hype and world-wide acclaim it has received as one of the famous cities in the world.
The capital city of France is an age-long part of the country and the continent of Europe as a whole. The city of Paris is said to be one of the oldest cities of Europe, and has remained the capital of France even after witnessing a major historical event, called the French Revolution. It also houses an expansive collection of art, culture, fashion and of course, cuisine. All these and more sums it up as a great go-to location for holidays, vacations and tourism.
Paris as a tourist hotspot plays a huge part in world tourism as it is the home of several interesting and appealing must-see spots and places. It offers all its visitors and tourists a sweet experience which is one of a kind. Better yet, the city has no age border, as children and teens are not left out in experiencing these lavish tourist attractions. It is an all-inclusive city with lots of promise for its tourist or visitor.
The Trocadéro esplanade, Paris
The Eiffel Tower is one of the city’s paramount side attractions. In fact, this is one architectural edifice that has popularized not only the city, but the nation of France itself. It has been described as “the most iconic symbol of Paris’, and is one of the best tourist attractions in the world.
The tower, with its very tall height, gives its tourists an elevated breathtaking view of France. This tower, which took about 2 years to build, is named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel.
The Eiffel Tower
Paris, as a historical city offers pure evidence of this in its Louvre Museum. Like the Eiffel Tower, it is one of the most popular art museums in the world. Surprisingly, it is the home of the foreknown Mona Lisa painting, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo and many more artworks. The museum has also earned its place in the tourist attractions of Paris due to its outstanding architectural design and framework. This is clearly seen in its Pyramid, known as the Louvre Pyramid, which was designed by I.M. Pei. The Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the paintings almost anyone can identify not only because of many imitations of it, but because of its perfect beauty, scenery and artistic lineation. The Venus de Milo is a classical art, stemming from its connection to Greece in the 2nd century.
Ever seen the movie “The Hunch-back of the Notre Dame”? The movie(based on the book with the same name by Victor Hugo) is set in one of Paris’ hotspots. The Notre Dame Cathedral is a beautiful historical and religious building, with massive portrayal of Gothic architecture (flying buttresses, towers, pointed arches and stained glass windows).
The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris
If you’ve seen the movie, it must have left a lasting impression in your mind about the enchanting nature of the world inside the walls of the Cathedral. The building of the Cathedral commenced in 1163 and it was finished in 1345. As a Gothic architectural ensemble, it was built with a ribbed vaulted ceiling and spires, which are well-known features of Gothic design. The Notre Dame Cathedral has great religious significance, based on the fact that it served as the centre of Roman Catholic worship in France and still serves that purpose today.
Interior of a Gothic cathedral
The Arc de Triomphe is another destination of choice in Paris. This monument was constructed to commemorate something similar to the Armed Forces Day celebrated in Nigeria and in other countries. It is a monument which was built to honour the soldiers who fought both in Napoleonic Wars and the French Revolution.
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris
The Arc de Triomphe has a strategic location in the city, as it is cited in the centre of the Place de l’Etoile, which is major traffic intersection in Paris. The Place d l’Etoile has 12 avenues, all of which spills out from the centre, like the spokes of a wheel. Interestingly, each avenue is named after a different French military leader. The bright lights set as one of the sweetest tourist attractions in paris, after the Eiffel tower.
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris
Paris is not only known for its architectural and historical hotspots, but it also has a natural appeal and scenery. One of these places is the Luxemborg Gardens, which are also called Jardin du Luxemborg. It is one of the most beautiful parks in the city. It also has a long history, as it was designed in 1612, and has an expansive landmass of over 23 hectares of land in the heart of the city. The gardens have a lush French design, lovely fountains and a pond with rowboats. It provides a ready spot to relax and chill off in a serene environment.
Jardin du Luxemborg Garden
In one previous paragraphs, Paris was described as an all-inclusive tourist centre, with special regards to age(children and teens). This is mostly featured in Disneyland Paris. It is a dreamworld for kiddies, teens and even young adults. Disneyland Paris is designed after the original one in California, USA, and it is spiced up with the classic Disney characters, attractions and buildings. The Disneyland is also one of the best tourist attractions in paris.
The Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland
Cool, right? The park has several divisions, which are themed areas, some of which are Discoveryland, Frontierland, Adventureland, USA and Mainstreet. It is also strategically located, as it is just a short train ride from the center of the city. This park is a tourist mecca as it holds lots of memorable sights for groups and families with children.
Daisy Duck at the Disney land
A beautiful city it is! Paris surely lives up to its name and popularity. From the Eiffel Tower to Disneyland, the city is the home of various attractions which tires its visitors. The balanced climate of the city also eases the worries of excessive heat or cold.
Lovers Before the Eiffel Tower
Are you in search of a romantic getaway, a cultural exposure or historical experience? Try this city of light, Paris. Smiles and Travels have got you covered, too.
