Landmarks Of Paris

Other than Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre ...

Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc De Triomphe is on the itinerary of most first time visitors. The arch is situated in the middle of a large roundabout with 5 wide streets radiating, one of which is the famous Champs Elysees.

This area is called Place Charles de Gaulle.


Built in honour of the French Army and unveiled in 1836, the top of the Arc de Triomphe offers a grand panoramic view down the Champs Elysees and beyond. There is a subway across to the arch.

The Arc de Triomphe and its massive piers are decorated with scenes from the revolutionary era. Facing the Champs-Elysees is the Marseillaise by Rude (the departure of the volunteers to the front in 1792); to the left is Napoleon's Triumph of 1810 by Cortot. The resistance of 1814 and the Peace of 1815 are on the other side.


The Arc de Triomphe is an attraction, there is an exhibition but most people go simply for the views from the top of the arch.

Getting To Arc de Triomphe

Charles de Gaulle/Etoille is the major rail interchange at the western end of the Champs Elysees, beneath the Arc de Triomphe. Three metro lines (1,2 & 6) and the RER interchange here.

Pompidou Centre

The exposed pipes and architecture caused an uproar when the Pompidou Centre was first opened in 1977. Perhaps more column inches are wrote about the building than the museum of modern art held within.

There is also a cinema, library and ad-hoc exhibitions. Anybody can walk into the centre and ride so far up the escalators for the views.


In front of the building is a large open square where normally you will find street performers. The area around the centre is pedestrianised and at night there is quite a restaurant/bar scene in the area.


Around six million visitors pass through the door. Ticketing is complicated, you can either buy a day pass with access to everything or buy individual tickets for particular attractions.

Getting To Pompidou Centre

The nearest Metro physically is Hotel de Ville (line 1 or 11) but the majority will find the vast Chatelet interchange more practical where 4 metro lines and many RER lines interchange.

It is a short stroll south to the Ile de la Cite and Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre isn't too far either.

Hotel des Invalides - Including The Musee de l'Armee and Tomb of Napoleon

The Hotel des Invalides was originally designed back in the 17th century to house disabled soldiers and those too old to fight.

This function is still operative, but the grand buildings and associated churches now host military museums and the church the tomb of Napoleon among others.


One ticket gains access to all the attractions in the complex.

The Musee de l'Armee is the main military museum. Pretty much what you'd expect. Napoleon and Charles de Gaulle are main areas of focus.

One ticket gains access to all the attractions in the complex.

The Musee de l'Armee is the main military museum. Pretty much what you'd expect. Napoleon and Charles de Gaulle are main areas of focus. The museum sprawls over several floors and exhibits include up to date items including the Gulf War.

The tomb of Napoleon is in the Eglise du Dome at the south end of the complex.

Getting To Invalides

Metro to La Tour Maubourg or Varenne (line 8). The number 69 bus runs along the Rue de Rivoli from Chatelet to the Louvre before crossing the Seine, get off at the Esplanade de Invalides, a large green space with the Hotel des Invalides to your left.

All the Paris hop-on, hop-off bus services stop at the Hotel des Invalides.

The Hotel des Invalides is a pleasant stroll from the Eiffel Tower and a good accompaniment to a visit there.

Montmartre Sacre Coeur

The Sacre Coeur and the immediate area around it in Montmartre is one of the most visited areas of Paris.

The church architecture itself seems to have more critics than supporters, but it is certainly visible and has no hiding place.

Perched on top of the small hill of Montmartre, just to the north of the centre its white domes are visible from miles around. The church itself is free to walk around, but there are crowds. It can feel more crowded than the more famous Notre Dame.

You can pay a small fee to climb to the top of the church, but the view is much the same as from the church steps. In front of the church are steps and gardens stretching down to the bottom of the hill, opening up the views of the centre of Paris.

Just on one side of the church is a square, perhaps one of the most blatant tourist traps in Paris. Artists, cafe's and arts stalls fill the square and further cafes spill out all round the perimeter

There is always a small army of artists, seemingly doing good business sketching portraits of visitors. The square would be charming if it wasn't so crowded and blatantly tourist.

Many people wander around the streets of Montmartre which are pleasant, almost village like atmosphere, its surprising how quickly the tourists disappear just a few hundred metres from the church. Around the back of the church is a small park where very few visitors go, and wandering around you will come across an old vineyard, a couple of museums and several interesting buildings.

Getting To Montmartre

There are several approaches.

Perhaps the most enjoyable is to get the Metro to Abesses (line 12) where there is an old fashioned local shopping street with plenty of interest, before climbing up the hill.

The classic route if you're in a hurry is to get the Metro to Anvers (line 2), then walk directly up to the Sacre Coeur or take the short funicular railway.

The other 'easy' way up is to get the Metro to Jules Joffrin (line 12) where the Montmartre electric bus starts and will give you a flavour of the 'real' Montmartre.

Palais & Jardin du Luxembourg - An Oasis of Calm Near The Latin Quarter & Pantheon

The Palais du Luxembourg is not open to visitors, buts its grounds are a major draw to visitors and locals alike.

During the Second World War it was used by the German Luftwaffe (Air Force) as their headquarters. Today, it is home to the Senat (upper house of the French parliament) and its garden (Jardin du Luxembourg) is a Paris favourite.

There are often temporary art exhibitions in the Orangery area, next to the main pond.


Plenty of metal chairs are scattered around the palace grounds, more than enough for everyone even at the busiest of times. An army of gardeners keep the grounds in pristine condition.

Within the grounds there are plenty of trees if you want shade. Restaurants, big and small, tennis courts, fountains, boating lake, even a children's theatre and bee hives. Many activities are geared to children. Despite all of this activity it is quite easy to find a quiet corner if you need it. Most take a chair and watch the world go by.

Getting To Jardin du Luxembourg

The position of Luxembourg is much the most important reason for its popularity. Situated just at the south-west corner of the Latin Quarter, near Odeon and the Sorbonne. For visitors its a nice place to take a break from the shops and sights nearby.

By public transport, get the Metro to Odeon (line 4 or 10) or even closer the RER to Luxembourg.