Top 5 Structures in Paris, France
Aerial view of the iconic Arc de Triomphe on a summer afternoon (Photo: XAVIER PHOTOGRAPHY).
Paris, France is considered one of the top destinations for vacationers all around the world. From its food and music, to its overall culture, Paris is a city like no other. But, what it is truly known for is its iconic architecture like nowhere else. There are so many breathtaking structures in the city that it can be hard to decide which are the best ones. And for new travelers to the city, it is hard to figure out which ones you really want to see and have the time for. Thankfully, this article is going to rank the top five overall structures within Paris so you don’t have to.
5) Dôme des Invalides: This French landmark is known for its deep history and its flashy look. The structure was historically a church, but now has been converted to more museum/memorial honoring the French Army. Its key display is a tomb which holds Napoleon Bonaparte, arguably one of the most famous military commanders of all time. His tomb is sunken within the church floor in a circular chamber that is open to the above. The tomb lies directly below the dome of the church. From an architecture point of view, The Dome—the museum's name in english—is what the building is known for. The Dome makes up for almost half of the height of the structure due to its spire that rises even further into the sky. The building can be easily recognizable from the Paris skyline to the dome being plated in gold. In the daytime, the building is hard to miss from wherever you are in the city.
4) Arc de Triomphe: The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most recognizable Parisian structures. This 361 foot structure rises high with intricate detail wrapping up the sides. Its history is deep. The order of its construction was given by Napoleon to honor the French Army, and Napoleon's overall military success. He famously walked through the arch in a military parade. Over a century later, Hitler did the same after his capture of Paris. The monument captures its deep history as well. On the “inside” of the arch, the names of infamous French battles that were won, as well as impactful army generals, are inscribed on the arch's walls. Any name that has been underlined signifies the person passed during battle. Outside of its history, it is a true work of art, almost like a giant sculpture too big to fit in the Louvre. A variety of scenes are depicted within the arch including Napoleon being crowned by the goddess of victory, peace being brought to France, and many more. You can actually travel to the top of the arch in the warm months giving you insane views of the city that are unique from the ones from the Eiffel Tower.
3) Sacre Coeur: At the highest point in Paris on Montemartra, sits Sacre Coeur. A relatively modern cathedral, compared to the rest of the city, that is built in roman style and is recognized for its white domed roof. From the cathedral steps, you can overlook the whole city and see almost all of the famous landmarks of Paris. The inside is equally as great. Light shines through the glass of the domes down onto mosaics that have been plastered into the walls and ceilings of the church. The bright blue tile catches your eye from the moment you enter and brings your attention to the front.
2) Eiffel Tower: The infamous Eiffel Tower is a structure like no other. The 1,083 foot structure towers over the rest of the city and can be seen from almost every angle. Although it is extremely crowded, the view from the top is truly unique. Some say the view is even better at night when the city lights up. At night, the Eiffel Tower is lit up in golden light. And at the top, the rotating light beacons out from its sides, almost like a light house for the city. Once nightfall hits, at the top of every hour, the sparkling light show on the tower takes place for five minutes. It's notorious for stopping tourists in their tracks as they watch from afar.
1) Notre Dame: After the tragic 2019 fire, the Notre Dame Cathedral was left in shambles. But, the restoration was a success and reopened in the beginning of this year. In addition to rebuilding a fallen part of the cathedral, the whole structure was restored to its original cleanliness and quality. On the interior, previously dark, black, almost gothic stone, is now bright, almost white stone. Stained glass has been cleaned perfectly. And certain relics of the church shine brighter than ever. It's a true marvel to see the cathedral fully restored from the inside. The outside is also stunning with its two large bell towers staging the front entrance and its iconic stained glass. The church is truly like no other and is a must see if in the city.