5Paris, France
Why Visit: Paris, the City of Light, is a showcase of elegance and innovation in architecture, from its medieval cathedrals to modern skyscrapers.
Architectural Highlights:
- Notre-Dame Cathedral: A prime example of French Gothic architecture, this cathedral is known for its flying buttresses and stunning stained glass.
- Eiffel Tower: Gustave Eiffel’s iron lattice tower is not only a global icon but also a marvel of 19th-century engineering.
- The Louvre: Originally a royal palace, this sprawling complex now houses one of the world’s greatest art museums, with the modern glass pyramid entrance designed by I.M. Pei.
Haussmann’s Paris: The city’s broad boulevards and uniform building façades, a result of Baron Haussmann’s 19th-century renovation, give Paris its distinctive and elegant look.
