When one thinks of Paris we usually think of the Eiffel Tower. However, Paris is a city that has a lot to offer the tourist. It is a city that boasts of over 170 museums, 145 theatres, and 380 cinemas. Here are some of Paris' most famous sights.

Eiffel Tower

The most notable structure on the Paris skyline, the Eiffel tower is definitely a must-see for all tourists visiting Paris. The tower was built in 1889, out of iron. At 1,063 feet height, it was the tallest structure in the world upon its completion. Tourists can access the first and second levels of the tower via the lifts or the stairs. The tower was originally constructed to be the entrance to the Exposition Universelle to mark the centennial celebration of the French Revolution. The tower is lit up at night and is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Paris

The Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe was built by Napoleon at the end of the Champs Elysees to honour the French soldiers who fought during the Napoleonic wars. The monument towers over tourists at an impressive height of 165 feet. It is the second largest triumphal arch, second only to the Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang. A triumphal arch is a monumental archway that is built to celebrate a victory in a war. The most common structure of a triumphal arch is having two main pillars with an attic above connected by an archway.

Notre Dame Cathedral

The Notre Dame Cathedral on the banks of the river Seine is renowned for its gothic architecture. It is the seat of the archbishop of Paris and is still one of the most famous Roman Catholic cathedrals in Paris. The construction of the cathedral began in 1160, but it was finally completed only in 1345.

The Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is one of the oldest and largest amongst all museums and art galleries in the world. Originally a royal palace, it now houses some of the greatest paintings in the world including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and Madonna of the Rocks. One of the most notable features of the museum's architecture is the Louvre pyramid. The pyramid is part of the new entrance to the museum. It is one of the most identifiable landmarks next to the Eiffel tower. The museum has been popularised by a number of Hollywood movies, most recently Ron Howard's Da Vinci Code.

Musee Picasso

Located in the Hotel Sale, this museum showcases the works of Pablo Picasso. The Picasso collection ranges from sketchbooks to finished masterpieces, sculptures, drawings, and ceramics. The museum even has a number of artworks that Picasso painted after his seventieth birthday!

Pont des Arts

The Pont des Arts is a footbridge that connects the entrance of the Louvre with the Institut Francais. Made of steel and wood, this walkway has seven arches. The view from this walkway is extremely picturesque. One can even see the spires of Notre Dame from this walkway.

Les Catacombes

This network of tunnels situated 20 metres underground is infamous for being the burial place for some six million Parisians. At the end of the eighteenth century, under Haussmann's plans for modernising Paris, bones from Paris' cemeteries were placed in the catacombs. The arrangement of the bones is both macabre and yet at the same time artistic in nature. The French Resistance movement used the catacombs to travel around Paris during the Second World War. The Germans even built an underground bunker in the catacombs under Lycee Montaigne high school.

River Seine Cruise

Paris has always been considered to be a city of romance. One of the most romantic things to do in Paris is to take an evening cruise on the river Seine. The cruise will take you across some of Paris's notable landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel tower. There are cruises every thirty minutes.

Arenes de Lutece

This is an arena where Roman gladiators used to battle. One of the sole remaining examples of Gallo which is a type of Roman architecture, the Arenes de Lutece dates back to the first century A.D. This arena could seat around 10,000 spectators. Today, the arena has a garden and is a favourite place for skateboarders. Surrounded by Parisian buildings it is hard to imagine that it was once the centre for such a violent and bloody sport.