We’d be remiss not to call it like it is\u2014no trip to the City of Lights would be complete with a visit to the famous Iron Lady. This soaring structure, in spite of the controversy when it was originally built, has become\u00a0<\/span>the<\/em>\u00a0quintessential emblem of the French capital. Take some gourmet goodies to the Champ de Mars to picnic at the base,\u00a0<\/span>dine among the sparkling lights by night at one of the restaurants<\/a>\u00a0on the tower’s observation decks, or climb the iron steps to the top in the daytime to gaze out over the winding ribbon of the Seine and the maze-like web of zinc rooftops below you. There’s no wrong way to do the Eiffel Tower, but plan ahead and\u00a0<\/span>buy tickets in advance<\/a>. Everyone else in town knows it’s a must-visit attraction, too.<\/span><\/p>\n 2.\u00a0River cruise on the Seine<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n With the historic heart of the city clustered around the Ile St. Louis, Paris’ monuments line one central waterway\u2014the Seine River. That means one of the best ways to take in the city is\u00a0<\/span>by boat<\/a>. And who doesn’t love a boat? Glass-topped and heated in the winter, open-air and breezy in the summer, river boats cruise from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame and back again. Pass under centuries-old bridges, admire medieval structures like the Conciergerie, and listen to commentary that gives a great overview of the capital’s major sites and attractions. At night, you can admire the monuments at their best\u2014illuminated and sparkling\u2014as you\u00a0<\/span>sip champagne or enjoy a romantic meal<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 3.\u00a0Notre Dame de Paris<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n With its chaotic tangle of gargoyles and sculptures, its massive stained glass rose window, and its imposing buttresses and towers, this Gothic-to-the-max cathedral inspired Victor Hugo to dream up his famous hunchback. Walk in Quasimodo’s footsteps with a visit to the top of the towers for a view over the city center, or step into the lofty nave for a quiet respite in a sacred space that’s stood watch over Paris for centuries.<\/p>\n 4. The Louvre<\/strong><\/p>\n The Louvre is the world’s most-visited museum, and for good reason. This stately former royal residence houses more than 35,000 objects, including masterpieces such as da Vinci’s Mona Lisa <\/em>and the mysterious Venus de Milo<\/em>. Plan to spend some time here, or tackle the\u00a0collection with a guide<\/a>\u00a0to get the most out of your experience. There’s plenty to see in these hallowed marble halls, from ancient Egyptian artifacts and the foundations of the original castle to Napoleon’s lavish apartments and gilded Byzantine paintings. Make sure to walk by the main entrance to see I.M. Pei’s striking glass pyramid, but for quicker access,\u00a0buy tickets in advance<\/a>\u00a0or enter through the less-obvious entrance in the shopping center underneath the museum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 5. Sacre Coeur and Montmartre<\/strong><\/p>\n A charming storybook village within the city, the hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre is a picture-perfect tangle of cobblestone streets and sweet sidewalk cafes climbing toward the Basilique du Sacre Coeur. This church is perched high above the sprawling metropolis below, and from its steps, you can take in spectacular panoramic views all day long. Grab a cr\u00ea<\/em>pe, stroll around, and soak up the atmosphere that inspired artists such as Picasso and Toulouse Lautrec when they called the quarter home. Alternatively, take a\u00a0walking tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n 6. Moulin Rouge<\/strong><\/p>\n At the base of bohemian Montmartre, not far from the bawdy shops of Place Pigalle, the brightly lit red windmill of the\u00a0<\/span>Moulin Rouge<\/a>\u00a0has been a beacon for entertainment-seeking revelers for more than a century. Today, this classic cabaret is one of the best places in the city to catch a show in a totally romantic, fin de si\u00e8cle setting. Can you see the can-can here? You bet you can!<\/span><\/p>\n 7.\u00a0Mus\u00e9<\/em>e d’Orsay<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Paris is home to a more than 200 museums that showcase everything from architecture to carnival rides, and most people only visit one of them (ahem, see above). While you might not have time to hit every exhibit in town, you should make a detour to the Left Bank to check out the world’s largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art at the Mus\u00e9e d’Orsay<\/em>. Under the soaring ceiling of a former Beaux Arts train station, works by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Gaugin, and Renoir truly shine. Plus, the space itself is spectacular\u2014all sunlit hallways, giant clocks, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Seine.<\/p>\n 8. Walk (or drive!) the Champs-Elys\u00e9<\/em>es<\/strong><\/p>\n Glitz, glamour, and the height of 19th-century Parisian city planning collide on the Champs-Elys\u00e9<\/em>es, touted as the most beautiful street in the world. This grand avenue parallels the Seine from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, a dignified and imperial monument that aligns perfectly with the matching arch in front of the Louvre. With its wide, tree-lined sidewalks and collection of brand-name and designer shops from around the globe, the boulevard offers sightseeing and people-watching opportunities galore. Grab a macaron at Ladur\u00e9<\/em>e as you wander, or take on the boulevard in real Parisian style with a\u00a0guided drive in a 2CV<\/a>, the seminal French automobile.<\/p>\n 9. The Ch\u00e2<\/em>teau de Versailles<\/strong><\/p>\n Gilded ceilings, halls of mirrors, grand canals weaving through acres of manicured gardens\u2014the extravagant splendor of\u00a0Versailles\u00a0<\/a>is really a sight to see. Take the train out from the city\u2014it’s an easy, 30-minute ride\u2014and step back into the era of Louis XIV, the Sun King, and the ill-fated and frivolous Marie Antoinette. If the weather obliges, picnic like a royal on the sprawling grounds, and don’t miss a visit to Marie Antoinette’s ornamental hamlet at the far end of the park. This fairy-tale farmstead, with its thatched roof cottages, animals, and orchards, is an idyllic slice of countryside fantasy and pastoral charm\u2014totally contrived, of course (the building interiors are all marble finery and rococo), but alluring nonetheless. Cover even more ground\u00a0with a bike tour<\/a>; the gardens’ 200-acre sprawl is a lot to cover on foot.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/images\/default-source\/user-fdamanpour\/notre-dame_1230x470-[size_1230x470].jpg\")
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