Hidden gems are good and all, but sometimes you need to tick off the go-tos first

If it’s your first visit to Paris, it’s probably a great idea to visit the city’s notable jewels. It’s impossible to see all the museums, galleries, monuments, and attractions in one visit to the City of Light. To give you a head start, we’ve compiled a list of a few destinations you will want to see when in Paris.

1/8 Musée du Louvre

Home to the world-famous Mona Lisa, Musée du Louvre is not only a historic landmark in Paris, it’s also the world’s most-visited museum. Housed in the Louvre Palace, the museum has over 38,000 exhibited objects over galleries spanning more than 72,000 square meters.

2/8 Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower was originally designed as the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. Designed and built by engineer Gustave Eiffel in two years, two months, and five days, the tower is a symbol of  technological prowess and architectural achievement. Take the stairs for an incredible view over the surrounding gardens and area.

3/8 Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The monument was designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1806 on the orders of Napoleon. Today, visitors from all over the globe visit the world-renowned commemorative monument at the centre of a 12-street junction.

4/8 Atelier de Lumières

Appreciating the classics with a modern take, this is where art meets the digital world. Atelier de Lumières is a unique art center where you can immerse yourself in art rather than only looking at a painting. Exhibitions include art by Cezanne, Kandinsky, Monet, Van Gogh, and their more contemporary counterparts.

5/8 Jardin des Tuileries

A public garden huddled between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, Jardin des Tuileries is the perfect place to have a baguette “pique-nique” lunch surrounded by Parisian greenery. Created by Catherine de’ Medici as the garden of the Tuileries Palace in 1564, it was eventually opened to the public in 1667 and was designated a public park following the French Revolution.

6/8 Palais Garnier

Located in the heart of shopper’s delight, the 9th Arrondissement, Palais Garnier is one of the most impressive landmarks in Paris. It was built for the Paris Opera from 1861 to 1875 at the commands of Emperor Napoleon III. A 1,979-seat opera house, it was made famous in the novel The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux in 1911, then the musical in 1986. Now mainly used for ballet, the opera house boasts extravagant interiors and eclectic designs.

7/8 Château de Chantilly

Plan a day trip away from the crowds and travel by train to a historic French château located 50 kilometers north of Paris. Château de Chantilly is one of the finest jewels in France’s cultural heritage. Musée Condé, the château’s art gallery, houses one of the most exceptional collections of paintings in the greater Paris area, specializing in French paintings and book illuminations from the 15th and 16th centuries.

8/8 Montmartre

Known for its artistic heritage, Montmartre offers a charming boho village atmosphere. The area appealed to the artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Montmartre alumni include Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Claude Monet. Today, the village has become a world-famous site and is a unique gem of Paris. Although touristy, this village of art is a must-see for visitors, art aficionados, and Amélie diehards.