Paris Adventures

I finally bought my flight tickets to Europe. I'm flying into Paris, France and will begin my trip there. Here's a list of the top things I want to visit while I'm there:
(Note: I extracted information from lonelyplanet.com, Ricksteves.com, thesavvybackpacker.com, Wikipedia.com and Tripadvisor.com)
Trip Advisor has great reviews and even lets you plan your own itinerary.

Versailles

The Versailles was the residence of the French monarchs until the Revolution of 1789. In 1837, about 50 years after the royal family was evicted, King Louise-Philippe opened up the palace to showcase as a museum. Visitors from all over the world can now tour pretty much the entire land and wander through acres of manicured gardens.

Note to self:

Versailles is located just southwest of Paris and is easily accessed by the underground RER C (leaving from several convenient metro stops in central Paris including Tour Eiffel, St. Michel/Notre Dame, Musee d’Orsay, and Gare d’Austerlitz). The line does split though, so make sure you get on a train with a terminus station of “Versailles Rive Gauche”. You will need to buy a different metro ticket than the ones you’ve probably been using around Paris since Versailles is in zone 4 (unless you have a Carte Paris Visite or a Passe Navigo that is valid through zone 4, then use it!). Go ahead and buy a roundtrip ticket (aller-retour) and save yourself from waiting in line at the station in Versailles when you’re trying to get back.

(thesavvybackpacker.com)

Louvre

The Louvre Museum is one of the world's largest museums and a historic monument in Paris. It is in the center of Paris. It is the most visited museum, attracting 9.7 million visitors in 2012. Showcase to 35,000 works of art – from Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Greek antiquities to masterpieces by artists such as da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt – it would take nine months to glance at every piece, rendering advance planning essential.

Note to self: To arrive at the Louvre, head along the Seine and cross Le Pont des Arts. You won't be disappointed by the view.

Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier Opéra)

This is a nineteenth century Opera House and one of the most luxurious looking buildings in Paris. It is one of the most recognized opera houses in the world. Commissioned by Napoleon III, it was created by Charles Garnier in the popular Beaux Arts style of the time with heavy glass chandeliers, sweeping marble staircases and gilt decorations. Now home to the Paris Ballet, it has a 2,000 seat theatre and is as resplendent as it used to be and a must-see on any trip to Paris

Eiffel Tower

The monument that most represents Paris. Gustave Eiffel only constructed this elegant, 320m-tall signature spire as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 World Fair. The popularity of the piece is what kept it alive until this day. The tower consists of three levels; change lifts on the 2nd level for the final ascent to the top. Visitors can walk as far as the 2nd level using the south pillar’s 704-step stairs.

Metro: Bir Hakeim or RER Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel

Luxembourg Gardens

Considered one of the most beautiful parks in Paris.

Arc de Triomphe

Aside from the Eiffel Tower, this is considered one of Paris’s most memorable and beautiful structures. This is the magnificent 1836 monument to Napoleon’s 1805 victory at Austerlitz, which he commissioned the following year. The complicatedly sculpted arch stands in the centre of the Étoile (‘star’) roundabout. From the viewing platform on top of the arch (50m up via 284 steps and well worth the climb) you can see the dozen avenues. Beneath the arch at ground level lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Honoring the 1.3 million French soldiers who lost their lives in WWI.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame is Paris’ most visited unticketed site with an average of 14 million visitors each year. It is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture. It was the focus of Catholic Paris for seven centuries, its vast interior accommodating 6000-plus worshippers. Highlights include its three spectacular rose windows , treasury , and bell towers which can be climbed. Notre Dame is considered to be the heart of Paris.

Pont de l'Archeveche

It’s a beautiful bridge across the River Seine and visitors “lock” their love with locks on the bridge.

Reu de la Huchette

This Latin Quarter is known for its restaurants, cafes, and bistros. It is perfect to visit any time of day. It is also known for its student life with one of the world’s first Universities, Sobornne. Shakespeare and Company is also located here.

Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

It has a large selection of English language books and a beautiful bookshop interior.

Laduree

One of the oldest patisseries in Paris, Ladurée has been around since 1862 and was the original creator of the lighter-than-air macaroon.

Musee d'Orsay

Recently renovated to incorporate richly colored walls and increased exhibition space, the home of France’s national collection from the impressionist, postimpressionist and art nouveau movements spanning the 1840s and 1914 is the glorious former Gare d’Orsay railway station which itself is known to be a beautiful masterpiece.

Top of every visitor’s must-see list is the museum’s painting collections, centred on the world’s largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art.

Café dei Cioppi

Known to be a “hidden gem” and a combination of Rome and Paris. Many reviews say this is the best meal you can have in Paris. Prices are $20-26.

Note to self: It’s a very small restaurant. Make reservations. Can visit the Bastille and the Marais as its extremely close.

Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre (Sacre-Coeur)

A Roman Catholic Church built on the Butte Montmarte, at the highest point in Paris. There’s a beautiful view of the city from the church. There are 222 steps to the top. The Basilica was designed by Paul Abadie and Lucien Magne in Romano-byzantine style, and built to honor the 58,000 men that died during the Franco-Prussian War. The Sacré Coeur is situated in Montmartre, an peaceful and bohemian neighborhood full of lovely boutiques, restaurants and street art.

The entrance to the chapel is free.

Centre Pompidou

It is the largest collection of modern art in Europe and it is also known for its architecture. It includes famous works by Matisse, Picasso, Warhol, and others. It presents a large amount of galleries and cutting-edge exhibitions, hands-on workshops, dance performances, cinemas and other entertainment venues. The exterior, with its street performers and fanciful fountains (place Igor Stravinsky), is a interesting place to hangout.

Admission is free the first Sunday of the month.

Chez Gladines

A French restaurant known to be popular among tourists and locals. They serve big portions at small prices with a relaxed atmosphere.

Marche Bastille

Considered one of the best open-air markets in Paris with a immense variety of ethic foods.

Note: None of the photos belong to me, all photos were pulled from google searching.

I also imagine I will be getting lost at some part of my trip so I hope to find hidden treasures while I attempt to find my way through the city. These photos get me truly excited and I cannot wait to start my adventure.