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Home of many of the most famous landmarks in Europe, Paris is a capital of history and culture that remains as alluring to tourists as it has for centuries. For many visitors, the main attraction is the iconic Eiffel Tower, once the tallest structure in the world and an ideal start to any trip to Paris given its spectacular views of the city.
Arc de Triomphe, a Napoleonic era gate that sits in the middle of the busiest roundabout in the country, La Place de Charles de Gaulle, makes the perfect starting point for a long stroll along the Champs-Elysées with its rows of designer boutiques and upscale shops that make it the most exclusive street in Europe.
Heading east across the centre of Paris, the Louvre is one of the world’s greatest art museums and an exhibition centre that could by itself consume days-worth of exploring given its huge collection of paintings, some of which are among the most sought-after pieces on the planet like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
In the next district to the east, the Notre Dame Cathedral represents the most celebrated pieces of Gothic architecture in France, attracting more than 10 million visitors every year.
Similarly popular is another of the city’s scenic vantage points in the Montmatre district, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which sits on a hill surrounded by gardens and a great place to take a breather. The artsy cafés and restaurants in the part of the city also make for a great area to relax.
With the most well-known Parisian landmarks accounted for, there are of course dozens of other sites in and around the capital to visit, the most worthy of which are Les Invalides, the resting place of Napoleon; Tuileries Gardens, close to the Louvre on the northern banks of the Seine, and the Palace of Versailles, to the south of the city.
Now the most-visited attraction in the French capital, Disneyland Paris features a host of rides and shows that mainly attract children. Bars and restaurants are also available on-site in addition to a number of hotels. Otherwise, day-trippers can get here by taking the train which takes just over 30 minutes from the centre of the city.
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