The Best Monuments in Paris

Posted on by

Paris is my favorite city in the world. I love the sensational architecture, stunning monuments, fabulous culture and endless restaurants and outdoor cafes. I spent six months living in The City of Light in my early twenties as a university student studying abroad and have been to Paris several times ever since. Somehow, her grandeur never fades nor her ability to completely blow me away like no place else.

The history of Paris utterly intrigues me and can be found everywhere along her streets.  Each turn around a corner reminds you of Paris’ magnificent past and each monument marks a particular moment in time that made Paris who she is today: A vibrant, beautiful city that never seems to sleep.

Last April, I was back in Paris on a trip with my mother and sister, and I had the opportunity to capture many updated photos of this phenomenal place. Here are some of my favorite monuments that will always remind me of Paris.

The Notre Dame Cathedral Paris

The Gargoyles on top The Notre Dame Cathedral

The view of Paris from on top The Notre Dame Cathedral

The Louvre

Arc de Triomphe Paris

Eiffel Tour

Steps leading up to Montmartre

Sacre Coeur

Hotel de Ville

I could go on forever photographing Paris! J’adore Paris! I hope to make it back to the City of Light soon.

 

65 thoughts on “The Best Monuments in Paris”

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Me too! I took a ton of pics of them! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  2. Leya – Sweden – Love my family, photography, art, literature, architecture, flowers, trees and dogs, but most of all Nature itself. I also keep on travelling...
    Leya on said:

    Impressive!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you!

      Reply ↓
  3. Madhu – Madhu is an Interior designer turned travel blogger on a long sabbatical to explore the world. When not crafting stories on The Urge To Wander, she's probably Tweeting @theurgetowander or sharing special moments on instagram.com/theurgetowander
    Madhu on said:

    Gorgeous post Nicole! Makes me very nostalgic 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Me too Madhu! I love spring in Paris or anytime in Paris quite frankly!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you! Merci!

      Reply ↓

  5. I must agree that there is no place like Paris. We lived there for a year in 1988/89 and there was no end to the wonders we would find. What beautiful city.
    Leslie

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes, I miss Paris. It was such an amazing place to live at 21 years old! I was such a romantic carpe diem girl then! Well, still keeping the carpe diem but not 21 anymore! Darn!

      Reply ↓

      • Well we weren’t in our twenties when we were there and it was still magic. We’ll always have a hankering for Paris.
        Leslie

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Those are my favorites too! So glad I got up there and got those shots! The line was an hour and a half long but worth the wait!!!

      Reply ↓
  7. HalmCreative – Wherever – Provides out-of-the-box copy and travel writing that meets strict deadlines and resource restraints. Worked with T-Mobile, Fodor's Travel, Delta Sky Magazine, Today Is Art Day, Zoka Coffee, and others.
    angloadventure on said:

    Love the gargoyles! Love Paris! You just reminded me I have French homework. A bientot 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Merci beaucoup!

      Reply ↓

  8. France is the place I want to visit the most and your photos just made me want to go there even more. I love seeing photos like yours, all of the details contained in the buildings. I especially love the first photo you posted of the gargoyle, priceless expression!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes France is quite remarkable. I just love the architecture and you can never ever get bored exploring each and every unique picturesque street in Paris! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  9. Anna @ It Started in Asia – Melbourne – It Started in Asia is a versatile travel blog aiming to inspire and assist others in their own travels specifically in Asia. With an added interest in health and well-being, I consider exploring new places as an awakening for mind, heart and taste-buds. What you find here and my photography will get your wanderlust juices flowing.
    Anna @ It Started in Asia on said:

    Beautiful pics 🙂 I’ve never been to Paris, but you’ve just taken me there for a moment!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Glad you enjoyed! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  10. Jo Bryant – New Zealand – I was born in the land of Banjo Paterson, gum trees, and weather extremes. I am a freelance photographer. I love to make images that make people happy. To capture forever a precious moment. I am also a freelance writer/editor. I live in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, but still like to claim my Australian heritage. I graduated with a Bachelor of Communications in 2008. I am writing my first novel. I love to write poetry, short stories, and also write for the web. And there is nothing that is on a par with a sunny summer's day spent at Waihi Beach.
    Jo Bryant on said:

    great post Nicole

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Jo!

      Reply ↓
  11. ShakespearesGal – Published writer; Advanced Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL) practitioner; Award-winning equine fine art photographer. Live ... Learn ... Love ... Laugh!
    dorothychiotti on said:

    I love Paris too. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Amy!

      Reply ↓
  13. Bob Ramsak – Nice, France – I'm a reporter, photographer and researcher driven by passions for travel, culture and justice. I've visited 62 countries and write something and make pictures every day.
    Bob R on said:

    Those gargoyles will always be monumental.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes indeed! 🙂 Worth the 1.5 hour wait in line to get up to see them!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Merci!!!!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  16. Janna Hill – USA – I was a licensed nurse, wife and mother for 40+ years. Happily, I still am though I no longer triangulate my identity according to those few facts. I can now imagine so many more descriptive terms that might say who or what I am, far too many to mention. But today I am an author and a poet and sometimes a photographer. Photography is a hobby so you’ll see a significant amount of it hanging on my walls here at therealjannahill.com. I’m glad you’re here and I hope you’ll hang around and take this journey with me. PS as of 2025. I am Nana to 15 grandchildren and soon to be 7 (yes seven)great grandchildren isn’t that great? So if you’re thinking, “she hasn’t really written anything for quite a while”, you know why. Xoxo
    janna hill on said:

    Your shot of Sacre Coeur is almost magical.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Merci beaucoup! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  17. Sreejith Nair – Kannur, Kerala – I am from the south indian state of kerala, and now living in Bangalore. My passion is travelling and photography.
    Sreejith Nair on said:

    Wow.. in incredible series here 🙂
    No wonder why Paris is right there on top of most people’s must see place 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you so much!!!!

      Reply ↓
  18. lulu – Houston, TX & Rockport, ME – I am a fiber artist with special emphasis on weaving, but I love working with threads and cloth in a variety of mediums. New ideas, new ways of connecting threads are the spice of life.
    lulu on said:

    Paris is, indeed, a beautiful city and an architectural delight. No matter how many times you go, there is something new to see or at least see with a different eye.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      yes so true. I could spend hours just walking around each day as there is always something new to see! I love Paris. Hope to go back someday for a longer time and practice my French!

      Reply ↓
  19. thetantalk – South Korea – Hello there, This is Kohinoor. I am an amateur fashion enthusiast trying to understand and explain the multi layered zone of the fashion culture in my tone. Having born and bread in India, I have the connection to diversity, contradiction and drama that has been running through our culture. A commoner looking for an Uncommon outlook - Kohinoor
    TheTanTalk on said:

    The steps leading to Montmartre were one of best moments during my visit to Paris. Some thoughtful sentences were written on the older buildings I clearly remember

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I love those stairs to Montmartre too. I love that entire area. It is so wonderful!

      Reply ↓
  20. Tania – Singapore – A 20-something who is passionate about travelling the world, full of foods for the tummy.
    Tania on said:

    Beautiful photos! They make me feel I have toured Paris in a split second 😉

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      SO glad you enjoyed the photos!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks for the reblog!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks for the reblog!

      Reply ↓

  23. Ah those views! The memories they bring me. It has been 11 years since I was there, I would love to go back and see how it has changed and how it hasn’t changed.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Yes, you should go back. Paris is always wonderful!!!

      Reply ↓

  24. Stunning photos Nicole! I cannot believe I have never been to Paris…one day {sigh}. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Oh…you must go! It is so incredibly beautiful and utterly romantic!

      Reply ↓

      • Who couldn’t use a little romance in their life? 😉 Once we get through most of this country, we plan to embark on more international trips. I will be using your blog and a few others as references when that time comes.

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Sounds fabulous! You have already seen so much!!!

  25. Pingback: Hiroshima Peace Memorial … Hiroshima, Japan | Eyes to Heart

  26. Kat at travelgardeneat – Life sometimes gets so busy, we forget to stop and smell the roses. Travel.Garden.Eat is a reminder to slow down and enjoy the things that make good memories and replenish the soul!
    Kat at travelgardeneat on said:

    I need to get back to Paris some day to climb Notre Dame for that gargoyle view! Classic shots.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes Kat! It is always a wonderful place! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! I am glad you enjoyed the post and yes, Paris is a must see place! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  28. anotherday2paradise – Durban South Africa and Florida USA – I enjoy writing about absolutely anything, and started blogging with WordPress in 2012. This was my 'Hammock Lady' blog, and I really enjoyed sharing my travels here: http://adinparadise.wordpress.com/ In November 2013, I decided it was time for a change of scenery, so I started my blog afresh, and here it is. I love to travel, and have been fortunate enough to do two round-the-world trips and visit more than forty countries so far. This year we visited our 7th continent, Antarctica. I enjoy photographing wildlife, especially in my backyard in Florida. I was born and brought up in England. My husband and I emigrated to South Africa in 1970. We now live in Florida, USA. I have a son and a daughter and five gorgeous grandchildren currently aged between 6 and 21 years. I'm so happy that you've taken the time to visit my blog, and would love for you to join me on my travels. Sylvia.
    anotherday2paradise on said:

    Paris is an amazing city, and your photos are outstanding. Love the Gargoyles. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! I love it too!

      Reply ↓
  29. Eleuterio João Alves – PIACATU SP – SOU BRASILEIRO NATO, PAULISTA DE Piacatu SP - NIVEL SUPERIOR INCOM-EX Bancário - GERENTE DEPARTAMENTO E Cobrança Chefe de Serviços procurador- Músico Teclado clave de sol-fa
    ELEUTERIOSP on said:

    uma bonita cidade !!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks!

      Reply ↓
  30. Eleuterio João Alves – PIACATU SP – SOU BRASILEIRO NATO, PAULISTA DE Piacatu SP - NIVEL SUPERIOR INCOM-EX Bancário - GERENTE DEPARTAMENTO E Cobrança Chefe de Serviços procurador- Músico Teclado clave de sol-fa
    ELEUTERIOSP on said:

    Reblogged this on terinho.com.

    Reply ↓
  31. Cris – I am a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography. I also spent four years as the Community (read, Assistant) Editor for a small-town daily newspaper in Iowa several years back. During this time, I won a first-place National Newspaper Association quarterly photography contest. I also won first and third place Iowa Newspaper Association photography awards. In <a href="http://thebiblicalapologist.wordpress.com/">The Biblical Apologist</a>, I search out interesting and un-traditional Biblical subjects to write about. In <a href="https://fstopfantasy.wordpress.com/">f-stop fantasy</a>, I try and capture the mystery and fantasy in everyday objects and scenarios. In <a href="https://oddsandendthoughts.wordpress.com">Odds and End Thoughts</a>, I write about whatever comes to mind.
    Cris on said:

    Nice take on the Monument theme! Thanks for the tour of Paris. So far, Paris, in particular, the Eiffel Tower, has been the favorite place/monument in my journeys in this week’s challenge, something I’ll never see but in photographs.

    You’re welcome to come and see what my take on the theme is:
    http://fstopfantasy.wordpress.com/2014/04/13/weekly-photo-challenge-monument-far-west/

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! 🙂 I enjoyed your entry as well.

      Reply ↓
      • Cris – I am a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography. I also spent four years as the Community (read, Assistant) Editor for a small-town daily newspaper in Iowa several years back. During this time, I won a first-place National Newspaper Association quarterly photography contest. I also won first and third place Iowa Newspaper Association photography awards. In <a href="http://thebiblicalapologist.wordpress.com/">The Biblical Apologist</a>, I search out interesting and un-traditional Biblical subjects to write about. In <a href="https://fstopfantasy.wordpress.com/">f-stop fantasy</a>, I try and capture the mystery and fantasy in everyday objects and scenarios. In <a href="https://oddsandendthoughts.wordpress.com">Odds and End Thoughts</a>, I write about whatever comes to mind.
        Cris on said:

        🙂

  32. Pingback: Monumental | Words 'n Pics

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.