13 Landmarks and Places to See in Paris in Five Days

Paris is brimming with landmarks and attractions to visit. In fact, just the mere mention of Paris conjures up images of historical attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. If you’re visiting Paris for a short period, you may have concerns about how much you can see. Well, no need to worry, I’ve created a list of iconic landmarks and sites that you can visit even if you’re in Paris for as little as five days.

1. Place de la Concorde

Measuring 7.6 ha (19 acres) in area, the Place de la Concorde is the largest square in the French capital. This square is located in the city’s eighth arrondissement, at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées.

Place de la Concorde was the site of many notable public executions, including the execution of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Today it is home to the Luxor Obelisk (a 3,300 year old monument decorated with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs) and the Fontaines de la Concorde.

2. Arc de Triomphe

Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806, and completed 30 years later during the reign of Louis Philippe, the Arc de Triomphe honors the people who died in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. Located at the western end of the the city’s most iconic avenue, Champs-Élysées is difficult to miss. It is a massive structure adorned with sculptures depicting scenes from Napoleon’s epic battles, and engraved with a list of major French victories.

3. Place du Trocadero

Place du Trocadero is a popular public square set on a hill on the east bank of the Seine River. Crowds typically gather here to admire views of the iconic Eiffel Tower. With museums on each side of the square and the Eiffel Tower centered as the backdrop, Place du Trocadero is symmetrically stunning. It’s the ideal location to propose or take a photo shoot because every 100-steps presents an opportunity for a great picture.

4. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Notre Dame is a medieval Catholic cathedral and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It is the most visited monument in France, beating even the Eiffel Tower with. Many people visit Notre Dame to admire its stained glass and rose windows, the towers, the steeple, and the gargoyle that adorn its roof.

Unfortunately, while undergoing renovation in April 2019, the roof of Notre-Dame caught fire and sustained serious damage. So, if you visit anytime soon, you’ll only see a fire-damaged Notre-Dame. However, the French Parliament has passed a law requiring that the cathedral be rebuilt exactly as it appeared before the fire, with reconstruction to begin in 2021. It is likely to take several years to fully-restore the Notre-Dome to its previous state.

5. Place de la Bastille

The Place de la Bastille is famous for its huge column. This Parisian square was named Bastille because it is where the Bastille (Paris’ most famous prison) was established. The prison stood until the storming of the Bastille and its subsequent physical destruction. No vestige of the prison remains. The Place de la Bastille is now a symbolic place of the French Revolution.

6. Pont Alexandre III

Pont Alexandre III is an elegant and lavishly decorated deck arch bridge spanning the River Seine. It connects the Champs-Élysées quarter and the Invalides and the Eiffel Tower quarter. Built in 1896 and restored in 1991, Ponte Alexandre III is most known for its ornate lamps and intricate array of cherubs, nymphs and winged horses. You’ll definitely want to traverse this bridge during the day and in the evening when its lamps and statutes are brightly lit.

7. Les Invalides

With its ornate and glittering gold dome, Les Invalides is difficult to miss. Originally, a veterans hospital and retirement home, Les Invalides is now a French military memorial that houses a collection of museums and monuments. In fact, it is one of the biggest museums of military art and history in the world.

Some of the most prominent features within Les Invalides include the Musée de l’Armée (Army Museum), Musée des Plans-Reliefs (Museum of Military Models), Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine (Museum of Contemporary History), and the Dôme des Invalides (which includes the Tomb of Napoleon I)

Because Les Invalides is one of the less frequented touristic destinations within Paris, queueing times are typically very low. But this site is definitely worth visiting. 

8. Sacré-Cœur Basilica

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica, also known as the Sacred Heart Basilica, is a Roman Catholic church,  perched atop a hill in Montamartre, Paris. Built in the 19^th century, this beautiful church dominates the city’s skyline. And, because it occupies the highest point in Paris, it offers some of the most spectacular views of the city.

To get to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica you can take the Montmartre funicular or you can walk up over 150 flights of stairs. When I visited, I took the stairs, not realizing there was a funicular. But I’m glad I did because the stairs gave me an opportunity to enjoy some stunning vistas of Montmartre.

Understandably, Sacre-Coeur is a tourist magnet, so I recommend getting there as early as possible.

9. Palais du Louvre      

Palais du Louvre, also known as the Louvre Palace or simply the Lourve, is the world’s largest art museum. Covering a total area of 72,735 square meters (782,910 square feet), the Louvre is situated along the banks of the Seine River in Paris.

For many centuries the Palace served as a royal house to France’s Kings and Queens. Now, this baroque-style palace houses some most impressive art collections in history. Unsurprisingly, it is also the most visited museum in Paris and one of the most visited museums in the world. No trip to Paris is complete without visiting the Lourve. Just make sure you get there early. Not only does it get busy, there is a ton to see. 

10. Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation

Situated across from Notre Dame and jutting into Seine River, is the underrated Memorial des Martyrs de la Deportation. Designed by the architect Georges-Henri Pingusson, this memorial was erected in remembrance of  the 200,000 people who were deported from France to the Nazi concentration camps during World War II.

Descending into the memorial itself you’ll find a dimly lit crypt that recalls the horrifying experiences of those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during WWII. It is well worth taking the time to stop and remember the history of the Holocaust.

11. Opera Garnier

Boasting itself as Europe’s opera house, the Opera Garnier (or the Palais Garnier) features a seat capacity of 1900 and is one of Pariss most distinguished cultural attractions. The Opera Garnier does not disappoint. Its architectural detail and he arabesque ceiling decorations offers a veritable feast for your eyes. You’ll find hidden gems at every turn, including the fascinating statue of Pythia, the Grand Staircase, and the Glacier Rotunda. Whether you take a guided tour, walk around on your own, or go to see a show,  the Opera Garnier is definitely a site worth visiting.

12. Eiffel Tower

Given its popularity, the Eiffel Tower hardly needs an introduction. Named after its engineer, Gustave Eiffel, this lattice-wrought tower is one of the most visited monuments in the world. Standing 325 meters (1066 ft) high, the Eiffel tower is the second most visited building in France, right after the Notre Dame. If you can endure the long line and climb to the top you’ll be rewarded with great views of Paris and the Champ de Mars.

13. Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is one of the greatest representations of French Baroque architecture. While originally a mere hunting pavilion for King Louis XIII, the Palace expanded over the next several decades into the majestic and ornate estate it is today.

The sheer magnitude of royal opulence and elegance in architecture makes the Palace of Versailles worth visiting. If you visit, make sure to save enough energy and time to walk the Palace’s lavish and lush green gardens.

If you have additional time after visiting these landmarks and attractions, venture to some of Paris’s world famous art museums.

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