Why Paris' Tourist Attractions Can Never Be Overrated

Dancing by the Louvre. Source: Karen Wan

Perhaps you have been to London or any other major tourist-y country before going to Paris, and you're probably thinking, I've seen the most famous landmarks in the world, what makes the Eiffel Tower, The Notre Dame or the Arc de Triomphe any different? Wouldn't it be overrated, just like all the others? 

The answer, for me at least, is no. And not ever for me, I suppose. With some rational reasoning and a little history lesson added to this post, I hope you would find my judgment a little more valid.

1. Eiffel Tower

Oh look! A big piece of iron slapped in the middle of Champ de Mars! You're not alone when you think that, because the Eiffel Tower was criticized even way back then when Gustave Eiffel (thus the name Eiffel Tower) designed and built it. It was built in 1889, but it was not meant to be permanent, setting it to be demolished in 1909. But on that year because of its architectural advantages, they used it as a radio antenna instead, deciding not to bring it down after all. Also something you probably didn't know is that during WW2, the french was so bad assed that they cut the lift cables on the Eiffel Tower so that Hitler had to climb the stairs if he wanted to reach the top. There are 30 replicas of the Eiffel Tower in the world, but why settle for those when the real deal is right here.

2. Arc de Triomphe

After winning against the Russo-Austrian army in 1805, Napoleon told his soldiers "You will return home through archs of triumph". Thus, Arc de Triomphe! But get this, the arc was only completed years after Napoleon's death. The names of 128 battles fought by the French Republic and Napoleon between 1792 and 1814 are engraved on the walls. An unknown soldier lay buried under Arc de Triomphe in 1920, representing the 1500 000 French soldiers who died during WW1. 

3. Notre Dame 

The construction of Notre Dame started in 1163 and continued for another 200 years! But during the French Revolution, it was badly damaged and restoration work did not begin until 1844. Notre Dame is significant because of its place as a shrine that preserve the Crown of Thorns, said to have been forced upon the head of Jesus before his crucifixion (if you know your bible). If you've watched the Hunchback of Notre Dame, the big bell that Quasimodo rings is actually named "Emmanuel" and weighs over 28,000 pounds.

4. The Louvre

Not just another Museum, but THE museum. A few hours in this landmark is not enough, because there are levels and levels of history to explore. But that's just what you should expect, because you're standing on history itself. During the reign of Philip II (first person officially to be known as the King of France), the Louvre started out as a fortress designed o prevent invasions from the north. Probably the most famous painting in the Louvre, the Mona Lisa, wasn't always on display there, instead, it was placed in Versailles before being moved to the Louvre after the fall of the monarchy.

Talk about history overload. But truthfully, the only way we willingly learn about history is through our travels isn't it? Happy travelling!