When we think of Paris, we immediately think of its most iconic attractions. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, a boat cruise at the Seine, Sacre Coeur, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the likes. You need to see these icons for sure, once at least, and after that you are ready to take in other lesser visited sights in the city that I believe are a must see as well. Are you ready for this?

1. Sainte-Chapelle

Let’s start off with the royal medieval gothic chapel, Sainte-Chapelle. Located in the heart of Île de la Cité, it was officially declared a place of worship in 1248 under King Louis IX. The lower chapel is worth observing, as its picturesque ceiling of royal colors: red, blue, and gold enthrall you. It’s a stunning room filled with movements mostly across the ceiling.

Once you go up a spiral staircase and enter the upper chapel, you will for sure stand in awe as you’re welcomed by the chapel’s glistening stained glass windows enveloping it’s walls. The stained glass windows are so tall that the light entering from outside seems radiating and casting an ethereal glow throughout the place. It’s by far the most elaborate I’ve seen. You don’t have to be religious to appreciate the grandeur of this place. Anyone who sees this will. I know for sure, just trust me on this.

Address: 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris, France
Website: http://sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/

2. Musee D’Orsay

If you are the artsy type, the Musee D’Orsay is for you. This place was formerly a train station and a hotel in 1895, called Gare D’Orsay. It was closed in 1939 because their platforms were too short for the longer trains that were eventually used later. The government converted it into a museum and it opened as Musee D’Orsay in 1986. Aside from its impressionist and post-impressionist art works, the museum itself I must say is the main art nouveau showpiece. Please don’t leave without going up the top floor, where you can observe the foundation of this former train station and admire the beautiful ceiling filled with flower designs and magnificent architectural details.

Aside from the ceiling, my favorite part of the museum was the huge West Clock Tower. Staring at the clock feels like a reminder of how we need to make the most out of the precious time given to us in this beautiful world we live in. That was way too serious I guess, but anyway, if you move closer to the clock and take a peek you wouldn’t believe what you’ll find: a gorgeous view of the Sacre Coeur, the Seine river, and the Louvre all in one frame.

Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France
Website: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/

3. Top of the Arc de Triomphe

If you want to see a spectacular view of Champs Elysees, climb up the spiral staircase of the Arc de Triomphe. I recommend you do this at sunset and stay there until it gets a little dark so you’ll see all the lights down below. It’s such a beautiful sight and photographers will love to capture the view of Champs-Elysees from here during blue hour.

Make sure to bring a bottle of water with when you climb the winding staircase, as it is steep and one way or another you might run out of breath. There were no vending machines upstairs when we visited so please don’t forget that bouteille d’eau!

Address: Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
Website: http://arc-de-triomphe.monuments-nationaux.fr/

4. La Defense

If you want to see the major business district hub of Paris go to La Defense. You’ll see most of Paris’ skyscrapers here including business offices, hotels, and even a huge shopping mall. The most iconic building here is the Grande Arche de la Defense. It was completed in 1989 and was built as an entry to a great national design competition and was envisioned as a modern version of the Arc de Triomphe.

From afar, the building seems like it’s just a plain structure, but once you get closer you will soon realize that they are actually offices. The roof was accessible to the public before, but was finally closed in 2010. If you happen to be here in the early morning, you will hear a strange sound coming from the tapping of several hundred leather shoes against the concrete. These are the sound of thousands of footsteps of office workers ready to start a new day at work.

Address: 1 Parvis de la Défense, 92044 Puteaux, France
Website: http://www.grandearche.com/

5. Catacombs de Paris

Tired of looking at views from up above? Let’s explore something different then. Paris has an underworld too. Visit the Catacombs de Paris and be creeped out by the millions of skulls and bones neatly arranged in piles while you walk along a cave like maze of the dead. In 1785, the Paris government decided that they needed a solution to the rising problem of overcrowding cemeteries; hence, bones were dug up and rearranged under the city.

To reach the catacombs, you take about 130 steps down. It is a bit chilly inside, but there is no foul smell, if you are worried about that. Take note that once you ascend back up, you will find yourself in a different part of the city, after all it’s about a 2km long winding tunnel down under. A very unique sight in Paris, this is definitely one for the books.

Address: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
Website: http://www.catacombes.paris.fr/