Paris France – Ohh I am in Love ☺
Oui Oui Paree! You’ll fall in love with this romantic city more and more the longer you stay to explore its sights and take in the French culture. Paris simply has a certain je ne sais quoi – that special something that you can’t quite put your finger on, but whatever it is, it makes you want to linger in Paris for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, most tourists going to Paris have a very limited amount of time to see all the sights so here are my Top 10 Favorite Things To Do. At the end of the article, I’ve added a bonus section that outlines a few more adventures for those who are going to Paris for a bit longer. No matter what you choose to do in Paris, you can’t go wrong because the Parisian people are so exuberant, romantic, and full of life that you can’t help but feel the same way.
#1 Open Double Decker Bus Tour
A bus tour is a MUST for all first time visitors to Paris. Do it your first day to get oriented to the city and to decide which things you’d like to go back and see on subsequent vacation days. I highly recommend the L’Open Tour which is an open deck tour so you can get an
unobstructed view of the city. You can buy either a one or two day pass which allows you unlimited bus access to their 4 tour routes over the given time period. It is great because you can tour at your own pace hopping on and off as you desire. When you purchase tickets they supply a cheap set of headphones that can be plugged into jacks near the seats throughout the bus. The headphones carry commentaries about the various Paris sites along the tour routes in 8 different languages (French, English, Spanish, Japanese, German, Russian, Chinese and Italian basket). The buses drive by just about all of the major sites in Paris including Montemarte, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and 50 other sites.
#2 Top of the Eiffel Tower
What would Paris be without the Eiffel Tower (All You Need to Know Before You Go)? Taking a ride on an elevator to one of the viewing platforms at the top of the tower is a must do for anyone visiting Paris. This iron icon was built in 1889 for a World’s Fair that marked the 100 year celebration of the French Revolution. It was named after its builder, Gustave Eiffel.
Over 6 million people visit the Eiffel tower every year. Ticket booths at the base of the tower sell tickets for access to either the stairs or the elevator (lift) up and the three platforms at the top of the tower. The views from the highest platform are breathtaking. You can descend back down from the 2nd platform either via the lift or 340 steps. For specific ticket information and hours of operation, visit the Official Eiffel Tower Website.
#3 Sunset River Cruise on the Seine
What better way to see the City of Lights (La Ville-lumière), than by cruising down the Seine River as the sun is setting over the Eiffel Tower and all the other sites of Paris?
Bateaux Parisien offers a Night Sightseeing cruise that departs right across the street from the Eiffel Tower and lasts approximately one hour. They cruise from the Eiffel past many of the major sights along the river to a bit past the Notre Dame Cathedral where they turn around and return to the departure point. This is the most affordable sunset cruise option, but there are also other dinner cruises available. For more information, visit the Bateaux Parisiens website.
#4 Notre Dame Cathedral
One of the most enduring symbols of Paris, the Notre Dame Cathedral sits on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité (one of the natural islands in the Seine River). Begun in 1163 and finished in 1345, this cathedral is a sight to behold with its French Gothic Architecture. It features flying buttresses, portals surrounded by ornate carvings and many gargoyles on the roof.
Taking a walk around the entire cathedral, touring the interior, and walking up the 387 steps to the top of the towers should be on the list 
of things to do for every Parisian tourist. The climb to the top of the towers can be exhausting, but is well worth the effort to get a panoramic view of the area and see all those famous gargoyles up close (enter through a separate door to the left of the facade as you face it). For detailed information about touring the Cathedral, visit their official website.
