Centre Pompidou

Paris

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DESTINATIONS france paris Do & See Centre Pompidou

Centre Pompidou

The Centre Georges Pompidou is a vast postmodern and high-tech architectural space that hosts the Musée National d'Art Moderne (the largest modern art museum in Europe), as well as a large public library, and a centre for music and acoustic research. Its construction was controversial, as it was necessary to demolish the emblematic market that stood at that location at Les Halles, and it was initially despised by many Parisians for its unusual architectural aesthetic, which many thought clashed with the city's classical and sophisticated style.

Do & See

There is never enough time to take in everything that Paris has to offer. Visiting the sights and museums is immersive, awe-inspiring, and could easily keep you occupied for months. But visitors are best rewarded by simply venturing out into the night. Like most truly great cities, Paris is best experienced after dark and without a fixed route in mind, when the explorer is free to stumble upon an unexpected sight or an undiscovered hole-in-the-wall, drawn in by an alluring scent or some sort of innate feeling. One thing is for sure, you will never run out of things to see, do, and experience in Paris. To help you save time and money, our travel experts have listed below the best attractions in Paris as well as things you should not miss while visiting the French capital.

La Tour Eiffel

Built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower is now one of the world's most recognizable monuments as well as one of the most visited ones, attracting nearly seven million visitors every year. It towers over the city at 324 metres (1,063 feet) …

Musée du Louvre

Musée du Louvre

The Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world, famous for its many masterpieces: the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, art by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Caravaggio, and many more. The main entrance is covered by the 21-metre-high glass Pyramide de Louvre. The French government has collected the 35,000 paintings, sculptures, and artefacts that …

L'Arc de Triomphe

L'Arc de Triomphe

Commissioned by emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 on account of the French victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, the Arc de Triomphe took 30 years to be erected and was then inaugurated by the French king Louis-Philippe in 1836, 15 years after Napoleon's death. And standing tall at 50 metres (164 feet), it is …

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

With its 10 million yearly visitors, Notre-Dame was the most visited site in Paris until a devastating fire ravaged its significant part in April 2019, suspending visits inside until further notice. The structure of the building itself was preserved, as well as most works of art that used to be contained inside. The place has …

Montmartre

Montmarte is one of the most charming and bohemian neighbourhoods in Paris, with the white-domed Sacré-Cœur Basilica and its beacon atop the 130-metre Montmartre hill, being the highest point in Paris. Montmarte is famous for the cafes and studios of many great artists, such as Dalí, Monet, and Picasso. It is also easily recognizable as …

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, or simply Sacré-Cœur, is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica atop the Montmartre hill, the highest point in the city. It offers a wonderful panoramic view of Paris as it extends southward. The church was inaugurated in 1914 and is named after and dedicated to …

Moulin Rouge

A trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to the legendary Moulin Rouge. Since 1889, this iconic Parisian landmark has held the title of the most famous cabaret in the world, thanks to its French can-can and the larger-than-life shows featuring expertly choreographed dancing, elaborate sets, and glamourous costumes. Sip on French Champagne …

Seine River Cruise

Seine River Cruise

Boat cruises on the Seine embark at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and take you through the heart of the city where you can admire the prestigious monuments and landmarks of the city and the stunning architecture from bridge to bridge and bank to bank. To learn history along the way, plug in your …

Palace of Versailles

Palace of Versailles

The town of Versailles is a wealthy Parisian suburb and municipality, located 20 kilometres outside the city. In the 11th century, Versailles was merely a country village enveloping a castle and the church of Saint-Julien. Today, it is mostly known for the lavish Château de Versailles, which served as home to King Louis XIV …

Musée d’Orsay

Musée d’Orsay

The Musée d'Orsay was originally a railway station, so the building itself demands a visit. The museum holds a mesmerizing collection of mainly French paintings, sculptures, and photography, including the world's largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, with works from artists such as Van Gogh, Cézanne, Renoir, and …

Catacombs of Paris

Catacombs of Paris

The Catacombs are at once a fascinating and eerie attraction, located right in the heart of Paris. Walk down the many steps to experience this spooky underground cemetery. Here you will find the osseous remains of more than 6 million people, moved to this location – the tunnels of Paris' former quarries – from …

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris

If you can be drawn away from the magical allure of the city, venture to a different type of magic at Disneyland Paris. The resort consists of two parks, Disneyland Park, which consists mainly of the usual rides, restaurants, cafés, and tons and tons of shops, and Walt Disney Studios, which has cinemas and …

Panthéon

This neoclassical building in the Latin Quarter was modelled after the Pantheon in Rome. The crypt below is the final resting place of numerous writers, philosophers, poets and scientists, such as Rousseau, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Louis Braille, and Marie …

Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde is a massive 84,000m² square located at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées. It holds historical importance for several reasons: the liberation struggle during World War II brought many battles to Place de la Concorde; during the French Revolution, over a thousand people were beheaded here, many of them famous: …

Centre Pompidou

Centre Pompidou

The Centre Georges Pompidou is a vast postmodern and high-tech architectural space that hosts the Musée National d'Art Moderne (the largest modern art museum in Europe), as well as a large public library, and a centre for music and acoustic research. Its construction was controversial, as it was necessary to demolish the emblematic market that …

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Père Lachaise is the largest cemetery in Paris and is reputed to be the most visited in the world. It is a huge and peaceful park and the final resting place of many Frenchmen and foreigners who have enriched French life over the past 200 years: Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Camille Pissarro, Marcel Proust, …

Champs-Élysées

Champs-Élysées

This iconic promenade is nearly two kilometres long and goes all the way from Place de la Concorde to Place Charles de Gaulle, bookended by the Arc de Triomphe and the Musée du Louvre. It is a lovely walk on any day of the year, and it is the place to be during times of …

Pont Neuf

Pont Neuf (New Bridge) is, ironically, the oldest bridge over the river Seine in Paris. Its construction dates back to the 16th century, and the iconic bridge stands today at 278 meters (912 feet) long and 28 meters (92 feet) wide, connecting the Ile de la Cité with either side of the …

Montparnasse Tower

Montparnasse Tower

The 689-foot tall Montparnasse Tower, also called the "Tour Maine-Montparnasse", is an office skyscraper standing at 59 storeys tall (plus six underground levels). The fast lift connects the ground floor to the 56th floor at an altitude of 643 feet in just 38 seconds (or 19 feet per second). The top floors and the …

Le Marais

Le Marais is a historic district situated on the Right Bank of the Seine, spread across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. It is a trendy district with beautiful architecture dating back to the 17th century. Now home to a vibrant LGBT community, Le Marais is famous for its many museums, art galleries, hip boutiques, …

La Seine

The river Seine flows 776 kilometres through northern France and offers a great opportunity to become familiar with many of Paris' impressive monuments while enjoying a boat ride through the heart of the city. A romantic cruise for couples or a fun-filled ride for the whole family, just sit back on the water and …

Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg

The garden of the French Senate is also the second-largest public park in Paris, a recommended place to relax and savour the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the rich palace garden. This is one of the most interesting places in the city to people watch, where you will encounter frolicking families, strolling students, runners, rushing politicians, …

Louis Vuitton Foundation

Louis Vuitton Foundation

Apart from the undeniably breathtaking architecture, the Louis Vuitton Foundation contains a plethora of artwork by various artists from across the globe and hosts different events and workshops. A must-visit for everyone with even the slightest interest in creative expression, in form of art, architecture, or …

Cheese and Wine Workshops

Cheese and Wine Workshops

Immerse yourself in the art of making cheese in Paris. Every workshop here is followed by an amazing cheese and wine tasting, and teaches you, after making the cheese yourself, how to pair the right kind of cheese with the respective and most suitable wine – an absolutely great experience for …

Parc Montsouris

Parc Montsouris

Parc Montsouris is one of four large public parks built by Emperor Napoleon III at the cardinal points around the city. The large lake, the cascade, and the extensive lawns make it a favourite among locals in any …