What to see in Paris in 3 days, itinerary including the main attractions, with a list of the main landmarks of the French capital.
Tourist information
Visit Paris in the awareness that you are going to discover one of the most beautiful cities in the world, walking along the banks of the Seine from which to admire the view of the Eiffel Tower, visiting the Louvre museum and Notre Dame cathedral or stopping under the Arc de Triomphe to observe the long tree-lined avenue of the Champs Elysees which leads straight to Piazza della Concordia.
Try to get lost in the alleys of Montmartre for an hour, wander among the contemporary art exhibitions at the modern Pompidou Center or visit the antique markets.
In Paris you eat very well, cultural ferments are always ready to surprise anyone, Paris is a city where you feel at home, elegant, with a thousand lights, a city to love where to return periodically.
What see
Notre Dame Cathedral
The construction of this mighty building was started in 1163 by the architect Maurice de Sully and completed in 1345. Notre Dame de Paris, located in the eastern part of the Ile de la Cité, constitutes one of the best known Gothic buildings in the world. Church with a rectangular plan, it has an interior with five naves, characterized by the presence of many chapels arranged along the sides.
Arch of Triumph
Commissioned by Napoleon to commemorate the victory of the French army, the Arc de Triomphe has been a symbol of Paris since its completion in 1836. The names of 558 French generals are engraved on the inside of the walls that compose it. of it, there is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where a torch is permanently burning. Visitors can climb up to 50 m in height, to have a breathtaking view of the city including the Louvre and the Champs-Elysées, or visit the internal museum, which traces the history of the construction of the arch, including some photographs depicting scenes of the terrifying occupation Nazi.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart
A long and wide series of steps leads to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, located at the highest point in Paris, easily distinguishable from afar by its unmistakable white dome, a cult building that dominates the artistic quarter on the Montmartre hill. This church of Catholic worship where various styles are brought together, was built between 1870 and 1919 to fulfill a vow made during the Franco-Prussian war. In the splendid interior, with a Greek cross plan, covered by four domes of various heights and diameters, there are fine neo-Byzantine mosaics, from the dome you can enjoy a spectacular view of Paris, while in the crypt there is an interesting collection of relics religious. Outside the church, a park winds along the hill with plenty of benches for resting.
Louvre Museum
Built as a fortress in the Middle Ages and rebuilt around the middle of the 16th century as a royal palace, it became a museum from 1793. The Louvre houses some of the most famous works in the world of art, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The rest of the permanent collection includes Greek, Etruscan and Roman art, Egyptian and Oriental antiquities, sculptures, art objects, prints and drawings. The entrance to the museum is located at the largest of the three glass pyramids that dominate the external courtyard.
Eiffel Tower
Designed by Gustave Eiffel and built in a few years, to be ready for the 1889 universal exhibition, an event organized to celebrate the first centenary of the French revolution, the Eiffel Tower dominates, with its 304 meters high, on Campo di Mars, paris public garden located on the left bank of the Seine. Climbing on it you can enjoy a 360 degree view of Paris, from below looking up you can instead admire its construction technique with thousands of bolts that hold together the grandiose iron structure. To go up you can take the elevators or take the stairs, once you reach the upper floors you can take advantage of the service of excellent restaurants for a relaxing break. This monument is considered one of the main symbols of Paris.
Picasso museum
Housed in a splendid 17th century palace, this museum collects most of the works of Pablo Picasso, a painter of Spanish origin, born in Malaga in 1881 and died in France, at Mougins, in 1973. The collection preserved here, one of the largest in the world, it includes preparatory sketches and paintings covering the blue period, pink period, cubism, classicism and surrealism, as well as sculptures ranging from a huge plaster head to a small cat.
Pompidou center
Designed by Piano and Rogers, when it was built in 1977 the Pompidou center was highly criticized, today it is one of the main attractions of the Parisian urban layout.Designed according to the idea of an overturned building made of pipes, stairs and fittings of various colors, it has recently been expanded to meet the huge number of tourists who come to visit the constantly expanding collection of contemporary art.
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Cemetery of Père Lachaise
To some it might seem a strange attraction, but visiting this cemetery is a fascinating experience, it is in fact the place where famous people of the caliber of Molière, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Pissarro and Jim Morrison have been buried. The Campo Santo takes its name from the Jesuit priest Père François de la Chaise, confessor of Louis XIV.
Luxembourg Gardens
These gardens are the most famous in Paris, they were built in a mixed French and English style, for Henry IV's widow, Marie de Médicis, together with the Luxembourg Palace, which currently houses the French Senate. They represent a quiet place to stroll, play a game of tennis or bowls, play chess or indulge in exciting readings of some sensual reading by classic French authors.
Orsay Museum
This museum houses collections that best summarize French Impressionist art from 1848 to 1914. Since it was opened in 1986 it has attracted tourists from all over the world who have come to see the famous Breakfast on the grass of Manet, paintings by Monet of Rouen Cathedral, dance scenes by Degas, works by Cézanne, Van Gogh, Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec.
Moulin Rouge
Located in the famous red light district of Pigalle, near Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge is one of the most famous night clubs in Paris, where ballets and shows are held.
Great mosque
Built between 1922 and 1926, this charming Spanish Moorish-style mosque serves as an introduction to the Parisian Muslim community. Even if the prayer room remains closed to the non-Muslim public, anyone can access the Turkish bath to immerse themselves in rooms with separate tanks for the two sexes. The courtyard with a mosaic complete with fig trees and a fountain in the center is very nice, an ideal setting to enjoy sweet mint tea served in small golden glasses.
La Défense
Ultra-modern complex consisting of skyscrapers, shopping centers and offices located in the western part of Paris a few km from the center. The view of the Arc de Triomphe from the modern one of this neighborhood is remarkable, the two arches are perfectly aligned.
