“a romantic icon…” © c.flessen
A trip to Paris would never be complete without visiting the Eiffel tower, or Tour Eiffel as the French call it. Built to serve as the entrance arch to the 1889 World Fair and named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel tower has become the icon for France and is one of the most recognisable structures in the world. It is also the single most visited paid monument in the world. In fact, revenues generated from it alone also pays for the maintenance of other Parisian monuments— yes, this includes the Louvre 
“remembering Quasimodo…” © c.flessen
Another must-visit is the Notre Dame de Paris. Immortalised in Victor Hugo’s novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the cathedral is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in Europe. It is also among the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress (arched exterior supports).
“eternally busy streets…” © c.flessen
And still another must-see (and visit, depending how much time you can spare for the long queues to get to the top) is the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile. Located on the western end of busy Champs Élyseés, it was erected to honour those who fought for France, primarily during the Napoloeonic Wars. Beneath the arch is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I; here the inscription on the floor reads:
ICI REPOSE UN SOLDAT FRANÇAIS MORT POUR LA PATRIE
1914 – 1918
