What are the top attractions to visit in Paris?

Even if you've never been to Paris, you may feel as if you know your way around the City of Light.  In most cities around the world, you'd be scraping the bottom of the barrel to find 10 worthwhile things to do. But that will never happen in Paris. There will never be a lack of inspiration as there are numerous world-class exhibitions and places of interest from which to choose. you could make another 10 with the rejects and still have a great time in Paris. 

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1. Île Saint-Louis

Île Saint-Louis, the smallest of Paris' river islands, is upriver from Île de la Cité and is to it by the Pont Saint-Louis. Whereas Île de la Cité is full of pomp, this island is quieter and more residential, but lovely. It was beginning in the reign of Louis XIII in the early 17th century, and there are still a few lovely townhouses from that time. This was a neighbourhood like Le Marais or Faubourg Saint-Germain in the 1700s and 1800s. The goal of a visit these days is to get away from the crowds, explore its small grid of streets, and dine at one of the bistros or brasseries.

2. Parc des Buttes Chaumont

In 1867, a park was on what had before been a gypsum and limestone quarry in the city's northeast. The old quarry was a work of art reminiscent of Ancient Rome. The Temple de la Sibylle, modelled after the Temple of Tivoli in Vesta, stands at the top of a 50-meter cliff. There is also a grotto in the rocky mass, which is a remnant of the quarry's galleries. The beautiful waterfall inside the grotto is water from Canal Saint-Martin and flows into the lake at the bottom of the rock.

3. Musée des Arts Forains

Jean-Paul Favand, an art and antiques dealer, has assembled an incredible collection of vintage fairground rides and automata in an old wine warehouse in the city's southeast. Close inspection reveals the skill and attention to detail that went into the sculptures on the carousels, amusement games, and automata. Outside of the Christmas season, you must pre-register for a tour. These are in French, but there is an English brochure explaining the exhibits.

4. Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

Galeries Lafayette, the venerable department store brand, is a short walk from the Palais Garnier. The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann opened in 1894, with the intention of attracting Paris's wealthy bourgeoisie. It received its first makeover in 1907 when the monumental Neo-Byzantine was 43 metres above the shop floor. Luxury shoppers need to look no further, but if you're passing through, go up to the terrace to take in the views of the Opera Garnier, the Invalides, and the Eiffel Tower.

5. Parc Monceau

Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans was Louis XVI's cousin and would face the guillotine during the Revolution. But, beginning in 1778, he began constructing a park in what is now the posh northern part of the 8th arrondissement. The park was right on the Ferme générale, a toll system built not long before the Revolution to collect taxes on goods brought into the city. One such toll station is the large rotunda at the park's main entrance, which dates from 1787. 

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6. Marché d’Aligre

The best food markets in Paris are off the beaten path, and one of the best is in Quartier des Quinze-Vingts, a few streets up from the Coulée Verte René-Dumont. The Marché d'Aligre is a vital local amenity that operates six days a week and has both outdoor stalls and a covered market with three halls. Outside, the square is with vendors selling seasonal fruits, vegetables, flowers, and fresh herbs.

7. Basilica of Saint-Denis

Except for the three Kings of France, all were at this Gothic church in the Saint-Denis suburb. It's a satisfying timeline of French history that begins in the sixth century with Clovis I and ends with Louis XVIII's death in 1824. The city's northern neighbourhood isn't the most beautiful, but it's only a short ride away on the RER or Transilien trains. Hundreds of stunning recumbent tombs sculpted between the 1100s and 1500s will reward your sense of adventure. During the Revolution, the basilica was ransacked, and the bodies were to a mass grave. 

8. La Défense

A district that looks like it belongs nowhere else in Paris can be at the far western end of the Axe Historique. La Défense, a jungle of futuristic glass and steel architecture, sprang up in the 1960s, and new skyscrapers are still being today. It goes without saying that most people do not come to Paris to see the skyscrapers, but if you enjoy modern art and architecture, La Défense is a must-see. There are works by Alexander Calder, Joan Miró, and Richard Serra, as well as newer installations by Guillaume Bottazzi.

9. Marché Poncelet

Marché Poncelet, located in the affluent 17th arrondissement, is the upscale counterpart to Marché d'Aligre. With the Arc de Triomphe only one Métro stop away, you can expect to pay a premium for groceries and high-quality treats. The market is located on the streets of Rue Poncelet and Rue Bayen, in which permanent shops possess counters. Come early and indulge in an oven-fresh croissant.

10. Saint-Eustache

Many world-changing figures have passed through the Les Halles church's portal. Louis XIV received his first communion at Saint-Eustache, as did Cardinal Richelieu, Molière, and the future Madame de Pompadour. Later, Mozart chose the church for his mother's funeral, and Mirabeau's last rites were here in 1791. The church was in 1532, and its architecture is a mix of Renaissance and Gothic elements. Despite their short length, the 33-metre vaults provide an uplifting sense of scale and wonderful sound.

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