Attractions

The city of Paris has a long history: There has been civilization here for more than 2 millennia, ever since Julius Caesar's troops invaded the city in 52 B.C., snatching power from the Gaulish tribe, the Parisii. Two thousand years of art, architecture, war, religion, and politics -- not to mention power, passion, and intrigue -- has left its mark on the city. Paris counts hundreds of museums and monuments. There are irresistible stars such as the Louvre, bien sûr, but there are also many surprising, secret spots. It's a city that can transport you back centuries, where you can lose yourself in the labyrinth of royal power and opulence or get captivated by the violence of the French Revolution. Or the city can bring you up to date, with the most avant-garde art, design, and architecture that the world has to offer today. But the special thing about Paris is that just walking the streets feels like visiting the world's most magical museum.

The year 2012 will see the Musée d'Orsay and the Palais de Tokyo emerge from major revamps. The much-missed Musée Picasso, Musée de l'Homme, and Musée Galliera are to reopen to the public after years of renovations, while new institutions such as the Gaîté Lyrique settle into Paris's dense cultural landscape. Paris's transport and shopping hub Les Halles is in the middle of a massive overhaul, expected to finish in 2016.

Area by area, this section will highlight the best that Paris can offer, from iconic sights known the world over to quirky museums and hidden gardens, from 1,000-year-old castles to galleries celebrating the most challenging contemporary art, and from the must-sees to the only-if-you've-seen-everything-else-sees. Here, then, is the best of Paris's attractions.

Paris's Top 14 Sights and Attractions

• Arc de Triomphe
• Basilique du Sacré-Coeur
• Cathédrale de Notre-Dame
• Centre Pompidou
• Cimetière du Père-Lachaise
• Hôtel des Invalides/Napoleon's Tomb
• Jardin du Luxembourg
• Musée d'Orsay
• Musée du Louvre
• Musée du Quai Branly
• Palais de Tokyo
• Parc de la Villette
• Sainte Chapelle
• Tour Eiffel