In the city of light, Paris

Paris is the capital and most populous city of France. Known as the “City of Light” due to its early adoption of street lighting, Paris is also known for its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum. The city is a center for art, fashion, and culture, and is visited by millions of tourists each year.

Public transport

The public transportation network in Paris is very well developed and extensive. There are:

a metro, which consists of 16 metro lines.
Metro tickets can be purchased at all metro and RER stations in Paris at the counter or vending machines.(https://www.ratp.fr/en/plan-metro)
a regional train (RER), which is the regional train of the Ile de France. Especially the lines A (direct way to Disneyland Paris), B (airport transfer from Charles de Gaulle Airport) and C (to Versailles) of particular importance. (https://www.ratp.fr/en/plan-rer)
Suburban trains (e.g. to get to Versailles, line L).
Tram (https://www.ratp.fr/en/plan-tramway)
Bus (https://www.ratp.fr/en/plan-bus)

Another special feature, are the 6 train stations in Paris:

Gare du Nord (In the middle of the 10th arrondissement),
Gare l’Est (In the heart of the 10th arrondissement)
Gare Saint-Lazare (in the center of the largest business district of Paris),
Gare Montparnasse (In the middle of the 12th arrondissement),
Gare de Lyon (located in the 12th arrondissement) and
Gare d’Austerlitz (across the Seine, in the 13th arrondissement)

So if someone speaks of the train station, be sure to ask which station is meant. I arrived in Paris at the Gare du Nord station, but I was also at Gare l’Est.

Security

Paris, like all big cities, has to deal with pickpocketing and minor crime, especially in tourist spots. However, I did not notice any of this during my trip to Paris. In general, Paris is relatively safe in the center, you should not necessarily stay in problem neighborhoods in the north of Paris such as Barbès-Rochechouart, Château Rouge and Château d’eau.

Sightseeing

Unfortunately, the most famous sights are not within walking distance, but you can try it if you want. Here I used mainly the metro and the bus. After my arrival in Paris, I immediately went to the Eiffel Tower. This highlight I should visit not only once.

It is also recommended to take a boat trip on the Seine. The Seine is a very beautiful river with some sights on the banks. I started my trip directly at the Eiffel Tower, here there is a large pier with several ships. The tickets can be purchased at appropriate points of sale on site.

Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, Frankreich

Triumphbogen, Place Charles de Gaulle, Quartier du Faubourg-du-Roule, Paris 8e Arrondissement, Paris, Île-de-France, Metropolitanes Frankreich, 75008, Frankreich

Champs Élysées, Promenade des Champs-Élysées, Quartier du Faubourg-du-Roule, Paris 8e Arrondissement, Paris, Île-de-France, Metropolitanes Frankreich, 75008, Frankreich

Place de la Concorde, Quartier des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8e Arrondissement, Paris, Île-de-France, Metropolitanes Frankreich, 75008, Frankreich

Museum des Louvre, Rue Saint-Honoré, Quartier du Palais Royal, Paris 1er Arrondissement, Paris, Île-de-France, Metropolitanes Frankreich, 75001, Frankreich

Sainte-Chapelle, 8, Boulevard du Palais, Quartier Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois, Paris 1er Arrondissement, Paris, Île-de-France, Metropolitanes Frankreich, 75001, Frankreich

Kathedrale Notre-Dame, 6, Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II, Quartier Les Îles, Paris 4e Arrondissement, Paris, Île-de-France, Metropolitanes Frankreich, 75004, Frankreich

Panthéon, Place du Panthéon, Quartier de la Sorbonne, Paris 5e Arrondissement, Paris, Île-de-France, Metropolitanes Frankreich, 75005, Frankreich

Jardin du Luxembourg, Rue Auguste Comte, Quartier de l’Odéon, Paris 6e Arrondissement, Paris, Île-de-France, Metropolitanes Frankreich, 75006, Frankreich

Eiffel tower

The Eiffel Tower is an iconic landmark in Paris, France. It is also a popular tourist destination, with millions of visitors each year, who can enjoy the views from the top or take a tour inside the structure. It has also become one of the most recognizable symbols of France and Paris around the world.

What you should definitely do at the Eiffel Tower:

get off at the metro stop École Militaire and walk in the park towards the Eiffel Tower.
walk or take the elevator up the Eiffel Tower. I came unfortunately only up to the middle, because the tickets for the top were sold out days before. Therefore, be sure to book online early. To the surprise, there is a restaurant and swings on the Eiffel Tower.
walk the tower at night, here glitters not only the Eiffel Tower but the whole city.
sitting in the evening with wine and olives in the park by the Eiffel Tower in the summer.

It was built between 1887 and 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair, which was held in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The tower is 324 meters (1,063 feet) tall and is made of iron. It was the tallest man-made structure in the world when it was completed, and it remains the tallest structure in Paris to this day.

Arc de triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is a famous monument in Paris, France. It is located at the western end of the Champs-Élysées and stands at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as the “Place de l’Étoile”. The Arc de Triomphe is 50 meters (164 feet) tall and 45 meters (148 feet) wide. The Arc de Triomphe is also a popular tourist destination, and visitors can climb to the top of the structure to enjoy views of the city, including the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower.

The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 to celebrate his victories and to honor the armies of the French Revolution and the Empire. It also features the names of some of the major battles fought by the French army. It is also the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where an eternal flame burns in honor of the soldiers who died in World War I.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral or simply Notre-Dame, is a medieval Catholic cathedral located in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France.

Despite suffering damage and undergoing renovations throughout its history, Notre-Dame remains a beloved symbol of Paris and a popular tourist destination.

The cathedral is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction of Notre-Dame began in 1160 and was completed in 1345. The cathedral is renowned for its many architectural features, including its two towers, flying buttresses, and famous Rose Windows.

Museum des Louvre

The Louvre, also known as the Louvre Museum or simply the Louvre, is one of the most famous and visited museums in the world, located in the heart of Paris, France.

The Louvre is a must-see attraction for any art lover or history buff visiting Paris.

It is housed in the Louvre Palace, which was originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century and later transformed into a royal palace in the 16th century. The museum officially opened in 1793 and has since grown to become one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world, with over 380,000 works spanning over 9,000 years of history. The collection includes famous works such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, as well as Egyptian antiquities, sculptures, decorative arts, and more.

Champs Élysées

The Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous and iconic streets in the world, located in the heart of Paris, France. It is an avenue that spans 1.91 km (1.18 mi) between the Place Charles de Gaulle and the Place de la Concorde. The Champs-Élysées is famous for its cinemas, cafes, luxury boutiques, and historic landmarks, such as the Arc de Triomphe, which is located at the western end of the avenue.

The avenue is also famous for the finish of the Tour de France. It is also one of the most famous shopping street in Paris. The Champs-Élysées is an iconic symbol of Paris and is a must-see destination for any visitor to the city.

Jardin du Luxembourg

The Jardin du Luxembourg, also known as the Luxembourg Gardens, is a public park located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, France.

It is the second-largest public park in Paris, after the Bois de Vincennes, and covers an area of 23 hectares.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to relax, stroll, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. It is also a great place for children to play, with a playground, pony rides, and boat rides available.

The garden was originally created in 1612 by Marie de’ Medici, the widow of King Henry IV of France, as a place for her to retire. The garden features many beautiful landscaped gardens, lawns, flowerbeds, and a variety of trees and shrubs. It also includes several notable features such as the Luxembourg Palace which houses the French Senate, the Luxembourg Museum, the Medici Fountain, the Grand Basin and a puppet theater.

Panthéon

On the hill of St. Genoveva in Paris (5th arrondissement) is the Panthéon, the national hall of fame of Francea and burial place of famous French personalities.

Especially the architecture and the dimensions of the Pathéon are really impressive. Therefore, among tourists this is also a popular sight in Paris.

Unfortunately, the Pantheon was closed when I visited, but it is also very impressive from the outside.

Palais de Justice

Actually I wanted to visit the Sainte-Chapelle, but the queue was too long. But hey, then look at the building next door – the Palais de Justice. It is a elegant complex of buildings with legal institutions.

On the site where the Palais de Justice now stands was once the Palais de la Cité, the royal residence in Paris from the 10th to the 14th centuries, of which only the Conciergerie and the Sainte-Chapelle remain.

Place de la Concorde

At the other end of the Arc de Triomphe, along the Champs-Élysées is the second largest square in Paris, the Place de la Concorde. This is one of the five royal squares in the city. In the square there is a very large obelisk. The obelisk is flanked by two beautiful fountains.