Paris Attractions

Paris Attractions

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Six attractions in Paris draw a whopping 23.5 million visitors yearly. With the hundreds of museums and monuments in the grand City of Light, take this short list to be sure you catch the best spots. After all, could millions of people be THAT wrong? TIP: You can also get the Paris Pass, which includes entry to many of these attractions.

1. Eiffel Tower

This is one of the world's most recognizable monuments (and the best-known monument in all of Europe), and it is breathtaking to behold. Be sure to take the lift for a view of the city. This attraction alone drew 6.2 million visitors in 2002, according to Paris Office of Tourism statistics.

2. Louvre Museum

Arguably the world's most famous art museum, the Louvre's most popular piece is Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa." It was established in 1793, and is one of the oldest museums in Europe. Its collections spans from the birth of great civilizations up to the 19th century. A whopping 5.7 million tourists visited the museum in 2002.

3. Centre Pompidou

The funky and hip Centre Pompidou features a wonderful collection of modern art within its creatively designed building. It also features a cinema, concerts and children's activities. The Centre attracts 5.5 million visitors annually.

More on Centre Pompidou

4. Cite des Sciences at de l'Industrie

This fun, hands-on science museum attracts 2.5 million visitors each year, with its cool exhibits on anatomy, biology, you name it.

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5. Musee d'Orsay

This museum may not be the massive size of Louvre, but its Impressionist collection is among the best in the world. The museum is housed in a former rail station, and has the atmosphere and personality to match. The Musee d'Orsay attracts 2.1 million visitors annually.

6. Arc de Triomphe

Climb to the top for one of the best views of Paris. No, it doesn't go as high as the Eiffel Tower. But since the city is relatively flat, the vantage point at this height is actually better. The arch brings in 1.4 million visitors each year.