Top 7 | What is Paris known for

Paris, the emblematic City of Love, is renowned for its romance and allure. But what truly defines this global icon? Beyond its amorous reputation, the city boasts a depth and diversity that has captivated souls worldwide.

Its fame is such that even places as distinct as Japan and Las Vegas have tried to capture its essence. But the question remains: What is Paris known for?

Dive in as we unravel the top 7 quintessential experiences that answer ‘What is Paris known for?’ and discover why the French capital is an indispensable destination for any traveler.

1. The Eiffel tower

Yes we know, it is more than obvious that the first one on the list had to be the Eiffel Tower, the landscape of this city. It is a word isn’t it? It has no function at all and it is just a piece of metal in the middle of Paris. But let’s get into its history for a bit.

The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris, the construction started in 1887 and finished in 1889. It was meant to be destroyed after the Fair but, even though at the beginning the neighbors of Paris hated it, they started to find cozynes in that huge metal structure of 1,063 feet tall so at the end, it was never disassembled. In fact, for 41 years it was the tallest man-made structure in the world!

So yes, this metal tower lacking function that sparkles every night at each o’clock hour, has way more to say than it seems at first sight.

2. The Museums

The second main attraction, one must say, is the Louvre museum. It is not only known for being home to some of the most important art pieces in the world, but also for its architecture. In addition it has been the inspiration for great novels such as The Da Vinci Code, and films such as Origin and Fallout.

This museum was first opened by Francis I in 1546, he was a great art collector and had this old castle that in today’s Louver we know as the southwestern part of the main building. In the 17th century, major additions were made to the building complex but it was not until 1682 that the Louvre was fully used as a museum, until then it was still used as a royal residence but that year king Louis XIV decided to move his court to Versailles.

The Louvre building complex underwent a major remodeling in the 1980s and ’90s in order to make the old museum more accessible and accommodating to its visitors. In fact, it was not until 1988 that the famous crystal pyramid was built.

Nowadays it is impressive because the Louvre’s painting collection is one of the richest in the world, representing all periods of European art up to the Revolutions of 1848.

3. Holy Sites

While Paris for many is the city of intellectualism, chic style, and world-class cuisine, the fact remains that at its historical heart, on a slip of land in the Seine, is Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous catholic churches in the world. It is actually one of the oldest Gothic buildings that still maintains its functionality as it did when first opened

Its construction took more than 150 years starting in 1163 and finishing during 1345. In addition to this, and its obvious stunning architecture and location, keeps great events in history that occurred inside it:

In 1314 Jacques de Molay was burned alive at the stake in front of the cathedral, still under construction;
In 1429 the coronation of Henry VI of England took place during the Hundred Years’ War; On December 2, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned as Emperor of France and his wife Josephine de Beauharnais as Empress, in the presence of Pope Pius VII;
In 1900, the French organist and composer Louis Vierne won the position of regular organist after a tough competition against the five hundred best organists of his time;
In 1909 was the beatification of Joan of Arc; In 1937 Louis Vierne died during the performance of his 1750th organ recital; and in 1980 Pope John Paul II celebrated a mass in Parvis Square.

And, we didn’t want to miss the important impact that this cathedral had during our childhood for its appearance at the The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

4. Seine River

Obviously, ‘What is Paris known for?’ extends beyond its romantic ambiance. Indeed, Paris wouldn’t be as romantic as it is without the Seine River. Not just for its beautiful avenue, which crosses the city from east to west, showcasing majestic historical buildings, Parisian rooftops, and iconic bridges.

In spring, locals flock to the Seine River’s banks for waterside drinks, painting a scene reminiscent of a classic portrait. While it’s true that the water quality can leave much to be desired, the views from the boats that tour the Seine are simply breathtaking.

5. The Mice

The plagues that historically had conquered the streets of Paris. The dirty tongues say that you haven’t had a round trip to Paris if you haven’t seen at least a rat.

Even pop culture had appropriate and romanticized this situation with films such as Ratatouille. And even though at first they might seem disgusting and may cause some terror, the truth is that the city is so used to having them, that the whole Paris city has arranged itself to live with them so probably, you will not have any trouble with them.

Therefore we taught it had to be included in this list of what is Paris known for? In our experience the locals are very used to mice. Even the waiter will tell you that it is normal to have a mouse inside the restaurant, but it should be a mouse and not a rat. If you see a rat inside a restaurant, do not eat there.

6. Pastry

When you think, ‘What is Paris known for?’ you might picture famous landmarks. But let’s not forget about its yummy pastries! Paris is a dream place for anyone who loves treats like chocolate-filled pastries or the twisty escargot ones.

Walk around the city, and you’ll see many pastry shops showing off their tasty treats. There’s so much to choose from, you might not know where to start! But even if you can’t try everything, enjoying a few of the best ones is a treat in itself. Here, a regular croissant might be a bit pricier than you’re used to, but once you take a bite, you’ll know it’s worth it.

While France has lots of delicious foods, Paris is the star when it comes to pastries. So, when you’re in Paris, make sure to treat yourself and try some!

7. Fashion and Posh

What is Paris known for? Among many accolades, Paris has held the title of the fashion capital for centuries. To this day, it remains the beating heart of haute couture, housing the world-renowned headquarters of fashion giants like Rochas, Vuitton, Balenciaga, Céline, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Chloe, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Hermès, and Lanvin.

The city’s influence isn’t just in design but also in birthing fashion icons like Brigitte Bardot and Jeanne Moreau. Furthermore, trendsetting pieces like Coco Chanel’s timeless little black dress and the revolutionary bikini trace their origins back to Paris. The city’s legacy in fashion is unparalleled.

Conclusion

Wrapping up our trip through Paris, we keep coming back to one question: ‘What is Paris known for?’ Of course, there’s the famous Eiffel Tower that everyone recognizes and the Louvre, where you can see amazing art. But Paris is also famous for its yummy pastries, from tasty croissants to other sweet treats.

But let’s not forget other cool spots like the artsy streets of Montmartre, the beautiful Notre Dame, and so many more places to see and things to do. Among all these famous spots, sometimes it’s the simple joys, like having a pastry at a small cafe, that really make the trip special.

Have you been to Paris and have a favorite memory, whether it’s at the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, or just enjoying some local food? Tell us ‘What is Paris known for?’ to you in the comments below! We’d love to hear your stories.