One of the tourist spots in France that you should not dare exclude in your itinerary is the Louvre, which features the great works of artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci. You can actually see for yourself the most expensive painting in the whole world, The Mona Lisa, which is housed in this museum. Stare at the smile that has captured the world and try to discover the secret that she holds. There is also the Venus de Milo and the ancient Winged Victory, parts of an art collection that will probably make art enthusiasts sigh in awe. In addition to works of arts, the museum also holds an extensive collection of artifacts that will make any historian green with envy.
The Louvre is not only a museum that has one of the world's finest collections, it is also the world's largest museum. The façade and the building itself is a work of art in itself. Used as one of the locations in the international bestseller The Da Vinci Code, the Louvre has certainly become one of the most celebrated and most visited museums in the world. Other museums that you can visit are the Musee Rodin and the Musee d' Orsay.
Besides the museums of France, you will also find the architectural structures worthy of visiting. One of the most famous landmarks in France is the Eiffel Tower, which was constructed by French engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel as a commissioned work for the Paris World's Fair in 1889. With great architectural detail, this wrought-iron structure has become one of the symbols of romanticism and love. In fact, restaurants at the top of the Eiffel Tower have often been used as venues for marriage proposals and wedding anniversaries. In addition to restaurants, the tower also houses boutiques and shops.
But of course, if you really want to do some serious shopping, you should go to the French fashion squares such as the Quarter Latin stretch and the St. Germain des Pres, that offer a great number of choices for the fashion conscious. There are plenty of shops, from bookstores to antique shops to dress shops. Another shopping haven that you should check out are the Printemps and the Galleries Lafayette.
Another tourist destination that you should visit while you are in France is the Avenue des Champs-Elysees. Built in the seventeenth century, this boulevard features the famous Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde on both ends. Similar to the Quarter Latin stretch, the avenue is also lined up with shops and restaurants where you can eat out and relax.
Going to France will not be complete without visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. With its large glass and stone design, it is a fine example of the French Gothic Cathedral during the Middle Ages. Standing tall even today, the Notre Dame Cathedral remains to be one of the greatest works of art and architecture in its time.
Although the sights can be utterly fascinating for the adults, most kids will probably be bored stiff with the walks in museums and churches. Good thing then that there is Disneyland Paris, where kids can enjoy themselves. The 5000-acre carnival resort is perfect for a family get-together. In fact, Disneyland Paris is one of Europe's biggest tourist draw.
