George Nugent Travels

Rather than just doing a list of top x places you should see in Paris, this list will focus more on how to travel to and from these places and the things you should look out for at each place.

Eiffel Tower

The most famous Parisian landmark and something you should definitely go and see whilst in Paris.

Getting here from the city centre is straightforward, and you will find it sign posted at the metro station.

The closest metro station is Bir-Hakeim which is on line 6, which is green on the metro map. From there it is a short 5 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower, just don’t do what I did and trip in front of a group of people.

If you are using the RER, then your closest station is “Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel” located on line C.

Somethings to watch out for:

• People wanting a signature, they’ll stop you, ask you to sign a bit of paper, then say you owe them money. It’s a scam.
• Pickpockets can be a problem, just use common sense and keep your valuables close.
• People selling things, most of the stuff being sold is very overpriced and of very poor quality.

Arc de Triomphe

Another iconic Parisian landmark, and another that is very easy to access by public transport.

Your nearest metro stations are as follows:

• Line 1 – George V or Argentine
• Line 2 – Ternes or Victor Hugo
• Line 6 – Kléber

If you are using the RER, then the closest station is Argentine on the RER A line.

The most common thing to watch out for here is road users, they are slightly more aggressive in Paris, and pickpockets on the metro.

Versailles

One I feel that is overlooked by some is Versailles, located in the southwest of the city it is easy to reach by public transport.

Versailles is located on the RER C line. Take a train that is going to ” Versailles Chateau-Rive Gauche”

If you are travelling from the city centre most ticket machines at RER C stations have a dedicated option on the machine for tickets to Versailles that you can use rather than searching for it on the stations list.

The most common thing to watch out for is pickpockets due to it being busy and full of tourists.

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

To get one of the best views of Paris I would recommend going to “Sacré–Cœur Basilica” and “Square Louise Michel”.

To get here from the city centre it is easy to walk here, however to reach “Sacré-Cœur Basilica” be prepared to walk up at least 300 steps. To combat this a funicular railway is available, and can be used with standard metro tickets.

The closest metro stations are:

• Line 2 – Anvers
• Line 4 – Chateau Rouge
• Line 12 – Abbesses

However if you need to travel into the city from the outskirts of Paris, it is located very close to “Gare du Nord” station which is served by the following lines:

• Line 4
• Line 5
• RER B (serves both CDG and Orly airports)
• RER D

Notre Dame

Definitely somewhere you should stop off and see on your trip to Paris is “Notre Dame”. Despite being damaged in a fire, it is still largely standing and you are still able to get a good shot of it.

To reach Notre Dame by public transport, here are the closest Metro and RER Stations and the lines they are on:

• Line 4 – Cite
• Lines 7 & 11 – Chatelet
• Line 10 – Cluny-La-Sorbonne
• RER B & C – St-Michel-Notre-Dame

The Louvre

The Louvre is definitely a worthwhile stop for those who love art and culture. You will need more than a day here to properly explore it, so be prepared to come back here multiple times if you have the chance.

Getting to the Louvre is very easy to reach by public transport, here are the closest metro stations and the lines they are on;

• Lines 1 & 7 – Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre
• Lines 8 & 12 – Concorde
• Line 14 – Pyramides
• RER C – Musee d’Orsay (walk across the river)