Paris and Countryside Palaces: The Ultimate French Escape

Must-See Sights

• Eiffel TowerHistoric Landmarks
  The Eiffel Tower dominates the Parisian skyline. The site of hundreds of marriage proposals and countless declarations of love, the top of the Eiffel Tower is one of the most romantic places in the world. As Paris unfurls below you, it's hard not to be swept up in the feeling. Built for a World's Fair in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was intended to be a temporary installation, but the city embraced the iron structure, and it stayed. One writer even called the tower "a spectacular hymn to science and progress." Over the following century, the tower was the site of science experiments, parachute jumps, the French Resistance, movie sets, and even a plane crash. The tower became synonymous with Paris, and one of the most iconic monuments in the world. If you don't go to the Eiffel Tower, can you even say you've been to Paris?
• Louvre MuseumMuseums & Galleries
  Home to Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Louvre is the mecca of all art museums, a literal palace of art. A sprawling complex of antiquities, paintings, objets d'art, and sculpture, the Louvre collection holds more than 350,000 artworks, making it the largest museum in the world. You could easily spend all day or even all week wandering the Louvre. In fact, to see every single piece of art for just 30 seconds, you'd need at least 100 days. But even if you only have an hour or two, you should see inside the Louvre. As well as the famed Mona Lisa, a chance to see the ancient Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, and other super celebrity artworks is more than worth the entry price.
• Arc de TriompheArchitecture
  More than merely a pretty vantage point for photographs, the Arc is arguably the most important French National icon. Originally built by Napoleon in 1806, to celebrate France's victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, the arc has since become a symbol of French national fervor. Throughout history, the Arc has been the rallying point for French military parades and even the start of significant funeral processions. When the Allied Forces, including Americans, reclaimed Paris in 1945, they too marched below the Arc. The top of the Arc de Triomphe has some of the best views across Paris, especially at night. Head to the viewing platform and spot some of the city's most iconic highlights below, including the Champs-Elysées and the Sacré-Coeur.
• Les InvalidesMuseums & Galleries
  'Les Invalides' is a shortened form of 'Hôpital des Invalides'. Built during the second half of the 17th century, Les Invalides was a military hospital for wounded and disabled soldiers. Today it serves as Paris's military museum and the final resting place of Napoleon. Beneath the iconic gold dome of the building is a circular room with Napoleon's tomb at its center. The museum also boasts an impressive collection of French military memorabilia, including armor and weapons. Wander through the central courtyard, and you'll find well-preserved bronze cannons from the 17th and 18th centuries.
• MontmartreCultural
  The area of Montmartre has a long history, dating all the way back to a time when druids worshipped at the top of the sacred hill. Fast forward a few hundred years after the executions and the French Revolution, until finally, in 1860, the village became part of the city of Paris. In the late 19th century, Montmartre began to attract a great number of painters and other artists. Today, Montmartre is capped by the magnificent Sacre-Coeur Basilica, which is the main draw of this area of Paris. As you walk up Paris's steepest quarter, you'll notice the winding streets are lined with buildings draped in ivy. At the basilica, you'll be rewarded with incredible views of the city. Montmartre has more to offer than the basilica and grandiose views - it's also known for its vineyards and quaint village squares that rise above the rest of the city.
• Musée d'Orsay Museums & Galleries
  Musée d'Orsay is housed inside the former Orsay train station, originally built for the 1900 World's Fair. Used as an actual train station for a short time during the war, the station became an official museum in the 1970s. The building itself is an art nouveau masterpiece, and inside you'll find even more artistic treasures. You'll get to explore France's national collection of the impressionist, post-impressionist, and art nouveau movements taking place from 1848 to 1914. The painting collection should be at the top of your priority list, as you'll find works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, and more.
• Palais GarnierMusic & Theater
  Designed in 1860 by Charles Garnier, a visit to this ornate opera house is a luxurious experience you won't want to miss. The Palais Garnier (opera house) is located in the aristocratic 9th arrondissement and was opened in 1875. It quickly became the place to be seen for the upper class of 19th century Paris. Even if you don't attend an opera, you can visit the theatre and tour its spectacular interior. Garnier's sweeping staircase and grand foyer give even the grandeur of Versailles a run for its money. However, the most talked-about feature of the opera house is the ceiling in its auditorium. In the 1960s, the original ceiling was replaced by one painted by modern artist, Marc Chagall. Dreamy, child-like, and in complete contrast to the luxe auditorium around it, no-one has ever agreed if the ceiling is one of Paris' worst mistakes or greatest achievements.
• Père Lachaise CemeteryHistoric Landmarks
  Established in 1804, the Pere Lachaise Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Paris - and the most visited cemetery in the world, drawing over 3.5 million visitors each year. There are over 70,000 tombs. Walking through the cemetery today is like walking through a sculpture garden, each tomb strangely beautiful in its own right. The headstones span from Gothic-looking mausoleums to simple crosses. The cemetery is the resting place of many significant figures from both France and around the world, including 1960s rock star Jim Morrisson and infamous French singer Edith Piaf.
• Catacombs of ParisHistoric Landmarks
  During the 18th century, the city of Paris was plagued with public health concerns caused by overflowing cemeteries. To resolve the issue, bodies were exhumed from graves and moved underground, forming the Catacombs. Consecrated in 1786, the Catacombs were opened to the public in 1809. When you visit the Catacombs today, you'll be astonished by the sheer number of skulls and bones that decorate the ossuary. After climbing 20 meters down 131 steps into a network of dark underground tunnels, you'll reach the ossuary where the skulls and bones are delicately arranged in the walls. This sobering display will fascinate you as you learn about where the bodies were taken from and how the Catacombs became what they are today.