If you only get to visit Paris once in your life, there are a handful of sites that you absolutely do not want to miss. Even if you’ve never cracked a single tourist guide for the City of Light, it’s easy to think of at least some of the most popular sites in Paris: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe to name a few. Of course, this is just skimming the surface, there are dozens – even hundreds – of topnotch things to see and do in this city phenomenal. Since time is of the essence, though, here are six to see the choices.

Eiffel Tower

You can not think of Paris without evoking an image of the Eiffel Tower. This world famous landmark dominates the city skyline, and long lines are par for the course here because of its immense popularity. The fact that she is free to visit and also increases its popularity makes it a lot busier. Nevertheless, it is well worth the wait to get a closer look and personal to this architectural marvel. Make sure you take the elevator up to an unforgettable sight, and send postcards to close the post office on the main level.

The Louvre

Since its opening in 1793, the Louvre has been one of the most respected reputations of all museums in the world. In fact, one could easily argue that it is the art museum’s most famous on the planet. As the home of one of his most famous works of art on earth – the Mona Lisa – The Louvre has acquired a place in the heart of millions of people throughout the years. As massive as it is, you could easily spend one week to explore its rooms and for short excursions, make a plan on what you want before going in.

Arc de Triomphe

Built on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Arc de Triomphe is another indelible landmark in Paris. It was built in honor of the army of Bonaparte himself Nobody ever said it was modest – and is an impressive monument in its own right. While the decision is taken by the fine, the real fun is to climb its 280 steps to admire the stunning view. Although it is a bit of an arduous ascent, it is certainly well worth it.

Cathedral

This gigantic and incredibly beautiful cathedral took over 100 years. A visit here can enjoy a massive dose of history, culture and architecture all in one fell swoop. There really is something for everyone to admire here, and the rise of the cathedral tower offers breathtaking views of North fear the city. During his visit, it is easy to feel whisked away to a medieval and feel the presence of Quasimodo lurk everywhere. Remember to bring your camera and shot many photos of this unforgettable place.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Although some argue that visiting a cemetery is a bit morbid, the fact is that the Père Lachaise offers some of the most compelling story in the city of Paris. The final resting place of several famous people are here, including Molière, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison of the same rock band The Doors. The tombstones, mausoleums and other monuments of other less famous people are just as compelling as those of their counterparts well known, centuries of burials took place here, so prepare yourself for a unique and unforgettable experience.

Centre Georges Pompidou

As the cultural link from Paris, you would be remiss to skip a visit to the Centre Georges Pompidou, while in Paris. The design of the center alone, which is made to look like veins, bones and blood vessels, is quite worthy of a visit by itself. In the complex, you can take in many amazing works of art at the National Museum of Modern Art. In fact, the combination of interesting sites in the Centre Georges Pompidou, is enough to keep you busy for an afternoon or more. Be sure to check the two cinemas, which run along the back of great directors.