Paris, the capital of France, is one of those destinations everyone is dying to visit at least once. Who doesn’t know the Eiffel Tower, the city’s most iconic sight? While it is worth seeing, it does not do the city any justice. Paris has so much to offer in terms of art, history, cuisine, and fashion that after spending a few days there, most forget about the Eiffel Tower altogether.

Sometimes, tourists suffer from shock when they realize Paris is not some fairy tale they had expected it to be. To avoid the so-called Paris syndrome, we have gathered a list of 20 suggestions of all kinds of places that are worth visiting while there. Palaces, historic sights, museums, and art galleries – we have covered it all.

20 Louvre Museum: The Biggest Art Museum In The World

Louvre museum is so big that you could spend WEEKS there. More than 15,000 people visit it per day and it houses the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and many other world-famous paintings. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some celebrities lurking around.

19 Despite The Fire In 2019, Notre-Dame Cathedral Is Worth Seeing

Notre-Dame made headlines last year when it caught on fire. Since the tragic event, visitors are not permitted to enter the cathedral, but it is still worth seeing from outside. it is a place of immense history: this is where Napoleon crowned himself the emperor in 1804.

18 Arc De Triomphe: Where Avenues Meet

All big avenues in Paris lead to Arc de Triomphe so everyone can see it. Under it lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWI. The monument doesn’t only honor the WWI soldiers: it also commemorates those who died in the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

17 Sacré-Cœur: A Church Perched On Top Of A Hill

Also known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, Sacré-Cœur offers a great view of a portion of the city, as the hill on which it is built is one of the highest points in Paris. And the good news is you can enter the basilica for free.

16 Book A Show: Cabaret At Moulin Rouge Is Dazzling

You might know what Moulin Rouge is all about from the movie. Seeing a show live is even better and you have to buy tickets way in advance as they are obviously always sold out. Moulin Rouge was the first building in Paris to feature electric lights.

15 Catacombs Of Paris: Dare To Go Underground

For those who like eerie and creepy things, a visit to the catacombs is a must. They hold bones of approximately 7 million Parisians that lived in the 18th century and they are absolutely huge. The catacombs were also used by the Germans and French resistance in WW2.

14 The Avenue des Champs-Élysées Is One Of The Most Famous Avenues In The World

Ordered by the famous Sun King in the 17th century, the name of this beautiful avenue comes from Greek mythology and it means a place where heroes go after they die. You will not run into any heroes in Paris, but you can do some prestigious shopping on Champs-Elysées.

13 Tuileries Gardens Will Feed The Souls Of Romantics

Paris’s most popular public garden has been around since the 16th century. There is also a palace that is technically a part of the garden and it features two museums inside. It is a lovely place to take a rest after an exhausting visit to the Louvre.

12 Pay Respects At The Père-Lachaise Cemetery

Père-Lachaise Cemetery is the biggest cemetery in the city of Paris. Some very important people are buried there and tourists like to go pay their respects. Among the famous people who found their final rest, there are Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Frederic Chopin, and Marcel Proust.

11 Salvador Dalí's Works Have A Permanent Exhibition in Paris

This gallery is simply called Dali Paris. It features the unconventional surrealist’s graphic artworks and sculptures as a permanent exhibition. Even those who are not into art and want to skip the Louvre will enjoy this gallery as Dali’s works have a way of not leaving anyone indifferent.

10 The Dome Is The Resting Place Of Napoleon

The Dôme des Invalides is where things went down in history. Before Eiffel Tower was erected, this was the city’s tallest building. This is where Napoleon’s tomb lies. During WW2, the premises were turned into barracks. It is hard to imagine this architectural wonder served such an ordinary purpose.

9 Château of Vincennes: A Massive Castle That Many Tourists Don't Know About

Technically speaking, this castle lies outside the city borders of Paris, but since getting to it only requires a single metro ride, we included it in the list. The origin of this complex dates back to the 12th century and it was a royal residence for a while.

8 Musée Marmottan Monet Houses Amazing Impressionist Art

Another gallery suggestion that is easy to take in and soothes the soul. Inside you can find works of the most famous impressionists, such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Paul Gaugin. A visit shouldn’t take more than two hours and it won’t be as crowded as most other places.

7 A Walk Through Montmartre Is A Definite Must

When we think of Paris, we think of the quaint romantic streets we see in movies. If you want to take a stroll around the most picturesque part of the city, we suggest getting lost in the Montmartre. You will surely get that perfect Parisian photo and satisfy your expectations.

6 Learn To Say I Love You In A Bunch Of Languages At The Wall Of Love

This wall does not attract hoards of tourists and that is a reason enough on its own to go see it. The I Love You Wall features over 250 languages and it has been spreading love since 2000. It is a popular spot to get proposed to.

5 No Visit To Paris Is Complete Without Seeing The Palace Of Versailles

This palace and the surrounding garden beats the Eiffel Tower in any competition. It is the epitome of luxury and extravagance. It was built by the Sun King and many other palaces in Europe tried imitating its marvelous style. You cannot afford to miss it!

4 Stop At Les Deux Magots For Coffee And A Bite To Eat

Les Deux Magots is one of the most popular cafés in Paris. It is a safe bet for those who are not sure where to grab a bite to eat. French cuisine is a big part of every decent trip to Paris so make sure you are hungry.

3 Feeling Poetic? Visit The Musée de la Vie Romantique For Inspiration

This is another idea for those who appreciate art, poetry and all things romantic. Paris is a home to many small unique and in the case of the Musée de la Vie romantique, visitors get to enjoy both the exhibition and the unique setting with a pavilion.

2 See The City From The River: Do A Seine River Cruise

One way to see Paris is from the river as you cruise under many beautiful bridges (there are 37 in total) and enjoy the views of the river banks. On a boat tour, you will not get as tired as you would walking and navigating the public transport system.

1 Luxembourg Gardens Are A Serene Place For Both The Locals And The Tourists

You need to be in shape for Paris. There is not many cities in the world where there is never enough time to see it all. When you need to rest, head to the Luxembourg Gardens. If the weather is nice, you can even have a picnic there.