Ah Paris, the city of love. As one of the world’s most famous cities it is known just as well for its history as it is for its romance. Paris was one of the first cities I ever visited in Europe and its beautiful old buildings, charming streets and delicious food and drink really left an impression on me. There are an abundance of historical things to see and do in Paris and you could do something completely new every time you visit. Below, I’ve put together my list of 10 key historical things to do in Paris, especially if it’s your first visit!
1. Marvel at the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most famous buildings and a true symbol of Paris. It was originally constructed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle and it wasn’t always the beloved landmark it is today. Due to its towering height and unique design, a number of influential Parisians actually spoke out against it prior to being built. However, with 2 million visits during the exposition, it quickly became a popular and defining feature of the city.
Although there can be a lot of hype around the Eiffel Tower, I find that it never disappoints. As an image we have all seen countless times, it really is magnificent to be standing in front of it. The Eiffel Tower is easily reached by either the metro (Champ de Mars/Eiffel Tower is the closest station) or as a stop on the hop-on, hop-off bus. Once there, you can either view the tower from the many vantage points along the Champ de Mars, or take a trip up the tower to get a view over Paris. I’ve never personally been up the Eiffel Tower (if you keep reading I think there’s a better view in Paris with the Eiffel Tower actually in it!), but anyone I know who has, says it’s a spectacular sight. Whether you’re experiencing the Eiffel Tower from the ground or from the sky, it’s definitely a must-see while in the city.
2. See the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum.
Another thing on many bucket lists is to view one of the most famous paintings in the world, the Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa is a portrait that was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in the early 16th century. No one knows exactly who Mona Lisa was, but her mysterious smile has captured the attention of both art and history enthusiasts throughout the years. The Mona Lisa was installed in the Louvre Museum in 1804 and is visited by millions of people every year year.
The Louvre is a famous museum, not only because of its association with the Mona Lisa, but because of the numerous important artworks on display. The Louvre building, which was initially a royal palace, officially opened to the public as a museum in 1793 and today remains once of the most popular museums in Europe. Visitors can view a variety of different artworks including paintings by Delacroix, Géricault, Verones and well-known sculptures such as the Venus de Milo. The museum is quite large, so I recommend leaving yourself at least half a day to go through it.
3. See the beautiful architecture of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the most recognizable sites in Paris and, with over 800 years of history, it is also one of the oldest. The gothic cathedral is located on Île de la Cité, a small island in the middle of the Seine. Construction began on Notre Dame in 1163 and wasn’t actually completed until 1345. Numerous important events have taken place here over the years, including the controversial wedding of England’s King Henry IV to Margaret of Valois. Notre-Dame also gained world-wide popularity as the setting of Victor Hugo’s 1844 novel, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, as well as the 1996 Disney film.
As one of the most-visited attractions in Paris, Notre-Dame is really a sight to see. Unfortunately, a devastating fire broke out at the cathedral in April of 2019, destroying much of the interior. Today, the inside of the cathedral is still closed to the public while repairs continue to be made. However, it’s still well-worth visiting the outside of Notre-Dame as its towering presence over the Seine is still very impressive.
4. Hang out on the artsy streets of Montmartre.
Paris is made up of many interesting neighbourhoods, but my favourite is Montmartre. Montmartre is situated on a hill in the 18th arrondissement and is well known for its artistic history. The area was named after Denis, Bishop of Paris who was executed by the Romans, giving name to the “mount of the martyr”. However, Montmartre is most famous for its 19th century history, where writers, artists and performers congregated. The area was filled with cafés and cabarets and was a popular place of entertainment.
Today, Montmartre is still quite an artsy neighbourhood and a great place to hang out, go for a meal, or have a glass of wine and watch the passersby. It’s cobblestone streets, markets and old buildings make it very scenic and a great place to walk around. There’s also a number of great restaurants to stop and have a bite to eat in. Just remember to put on your good walking shoes, as the streets can be quite steep!
5. Climb to the Sacré-Cœur for the best views of Paris.
At the top of Montmartre, you’ll find the Sacré-Cœur, which is the actual site where Saint Denis is believed to have been executed. The current basilica on site was built between 1875 and 1914 and is a stunning piece of French architecture. It was originally built as an act of penance, resulting from France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, however today it has become both a religious and cultural symbol of the city.
The highlight of the Sacré-Cœur is the view of Paris from its steps. Personally, I believe it is the best view in all of Paris because you even get the Eiffel Tower in the background. You can also visit the inside of the Sacré-Cœur and learn more about the history of the church. Although it’s a bit of a hike to the top of the hill, it’s well worth the view. If you’re not able to walk you whole way up, you can take the funicular (or cable car) most of the way.
6. See a show at the Moulin Rouge.
At the bottom of the hill, on the outskirts of Montmartre, lies one of the most famous dance halls in the world, the Moulin Rouge. The venue opened its doors in 1889 and became a popular place for dancing, drinking and revelry at the turn of the 20th century. Credited for being the birthplace of the modern day can-can dance, the venue attracted the city’s artistic crowd, most notably Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who is known for his paintings depicting life at the Moulin Rouge. It also produced some of the most celebrated French performers, including Jane Avril (who Nicole Kidman’s character was based on in the 2001 film Moulin Rouge!) and Josephine Baker, an American-born entertainer and activist who went on to become the first Black woman inducted into France’s Panthéon.
From the street, you’ll be able to recognize the Moulin Rouge instantly with its famous windmill turning out front. The original 19th century venue was unfortunately destroyed by a fire in 1915, but was reopened in the 1920s. Today visitors can enjoy the full experience by attending a full evening with a show and meal. If you’re not able to attend a show, it’s also very impressive to stand out front and imagine what it would have been like all those years ago!
6. Try a traditional French dish like escargot.
France is known for some of the finest food and wine in world and tasting these traditional delights are an essential part of any Parisian vacation. No matter what neighbourhood you’re staying in, you’ll be sure to find a wide array of high quality restaurants. For breakfast, you’ll definitely want to try a croissant or a crêpe. For dinner, there’s lots of options including French onion soup, escargot (which is really tasty!), boeuf bourguignon, steak tartare and a wide variety of seafood. Macaroons are also very popular for a snack or a dessert and you’ll quite a few shops to purchase them from.
There are so many great historical restaurants in Paris and it would be impossible to name them all, so I highly recommend checking out what’s in your area. La Tour d’Argent claims to be one of the oldest, with a history that dates back to 1582. I also really enjoyed my meal at Le Grand Colbert, which is featured in the film Something’s Gotta Give with Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. Another popular option is Bouillon Chartier, which was founded in 1896 and is still known for writing the final bills on the tables.
8. See the home of The Phantom of the Opera at the Palais Garnier.
The Palais Garnier is one of my favourite sites in Paris, both because of its fascinating architecture and its connection to theatre history. The Palais Garnier was built for Napoleon III between the years 1861 and 1875. It is named after its architect, Charles Garnier, and is the home of the the Paris Opera and Opera Ballet. It’s also the setting of Gaston Leroux’s 1909 novel (and later Andrew Lloyd Weber musical), The Phantom of the Opera. While it’s unlikely the masked phantom really existed, there are aspects of the novel that are based on historical truths. For example, the infamous chandelier crash actually did happen in 1896, tragically killing one person. It’s also true that underneath the theatre is a lake, where legend has it a mysterious man lived.
Today, the Palais Garnier is still the home of the Paris Opera with a full calendar of productions. If you’re interested in seeing a show, you can check out what’s on here. The Palais Garnier is also open to the public for either guided or self-guided tours. I did the self-guided tour which was great because you got to explore the building at your own pace. You’ll get to see all of the beautifully ornate rooms including the Grand Escalier, the Salon du Glacier (the foyer) and the auditorium. You’ll also want to make sure you visit Box #5, reserved for the Phantom himself.
9. Explore Père-Lachaise Cemetery.
Père-Lachaise is the largest cemetery in Paris and is believed to have over 1 million bodies buried there. It was the world’s first example of a garden cemetery and its winding streets cover more than 43 hectares. It is so vast that it actually feels more like a small village than a cemetery. Père-Lachaise cemetery was opened in 1804 as a response to the overcrowding of graves within the city. On its opening, Napoleon Bonaparte declared it non-denominational and over the years many notable individuals have been buried here.
It is for the notable burials that many people travel to visit Père-Lachaise cemetery. One of the most famous burials is that of The Doors frontman Jim Morrison, whose tomb you’ll often see covered in flowers and other tributes. Another popular grave is that of the Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, and up until recently it was common practice to kiss his tombstone. Other notable individuals buried at Père-Lachaise include Moulin Rouge performer Jane Avril, composer Frédéric Chopin, French singer Édith Piaf, philosopher Auguste Comte and many, many more. On arrival, make sure you grab a map at one of the entrances which will help to guide your visit!
Visit here to learn more about Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.
10. Explore French art at the Musée d’Orsay.
I know that visiting the Louvre Museum is normally on people’s Paris bucket list and totally agree that you should see it while there. However, I couldn’t end this article without also recommending my favourite museum in Paris, the Musée d’Orsay. The Musée d’Orsay is located on the Seine in a building that was actually once a train station designed for the Exposition Universelle (same as the Eiffel Tower). It houses a wonderful array of mainly Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artworks from the early 19th century onwards. Notable artists whose work is featured include Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Berthe Morisot, Edgar Degas and more.
The 19th century in Paris has always been an interest of mine and what I love about the artworks at the Musée d’Orsay is that they give a very real insight into life at the time. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is one of my favourite artists who, in addition to his well-known paintings of the Moulin Rouge, also painted real, everyday people. What I love about his work is that it gives insight into intimate and almost mundane moments of people’s lives. And despite being in a beautiful old building, it’s this intimate experience that I love most about the Musée d’Orsay. While there, I also suggest visiting the rooftop, where you’ll get a beautiful view over Montmartre.