Vedettes de Paris Tickets

One of the world's largest and most authoritative museums, the Louvre's magnificent classical silhouette (and funky glass pyramid) are well-known attractions in the center of Paris. But as nice as the Louvre is from the outside, its real magic is in the inside. The Louvre's collection ranges from Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Greek antiquities, with masterpieces by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. With 35,000 works of art (all created before 1848), it's a big, and worthwhile, commitment. The Louvre is one of Paris's Big Three museums; the other two are the Musée d'Orsay (with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art from the years 1848-1914) and the Centre Pompidou (with 20th-century works created after 1914).

This luxurious 17th-century French palace is a masterclass in excess. It has hundreds of acres of magnificently landscaped gardens, more than 2,300 rooms, a large collection of French Renaissance art, an opera house, and a 75-meter-long hall of mirrors lined with priceless statues and busts. There are no half-measures in its conception or execution – it even has more than 1,200 fireplaces! It's one of the most visited attractions in France, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take your pick of Palace of Versailles tickets and tours – you won't regret it!

When the Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889, it was the tallest building in the world. With 18,000 metallic parts and 2.5 million rivets, it was a true feat of engineering – and the perfect centerpiece for that year’s World’s Fair. But Alexandre Gustave Eiffel's tower had as many haters as it had fans. However, over time, the Eiffel Tower has become a universally beloved icon; it's now the most-visited paid tourist attraction in the world. The fact remains that no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower.

The Arc de Triomphe is Napoleon's Neoclassical take on the ancient Roman triumphal arch. It's at the center of a square, with a dozen Parisian avenues radiating out from it into the rest of the City of Light. At the base of the arch the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is rekindled at 6:30 each evening.

Housed in the stunning Beaux-Arts style Gare d'Orsay railway station, The Musée d'Orsay is home to significant and stunning works by painters including Gauguin, Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gogh. It's widely considered to be one of the most culturally important museums in the world. Its entire collection is from the period 1848-1914, including many of the most significant Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings ever created. Chronologically, the works come after those of the neighboring Louvre, and before the collection of the nearby Pompidou Centre.

Up above the hustle and bustle of the French capital is quite literally rarefied air. Breathe it in with a visit to Tour Montparnasse. Built atop the Montparnasse – Bienvenüe Paris Métro station, the Tour Montparnasse features a restaurant, a terrace on the top floor, and Europe's fastest elevator. On a clear day you can see for 40 km or more.