DK Travel : Paris

From Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower, Paris holds some of the world's most famous sights and these highlights should be top of the list for any first-time visitor. With the exception of the overtly modern Pompidou Centre, they have been landmarks of this elegant and romantic capital for centuries and remain awe-inspiring sights, no matter how often you visit the city.

More on guided tours in Paris

Boulangerie Rioux

You won’t be able to resist the bread baking in the wood-burning oven from this old-fashioned bakery.
Boulevard St-Germain

This famous Left Bank boulevard runs for more than 3 km (2 miles) anchored by the bridges of the Seine at either end. At its heart is the church of St-Germain-des-Prés, established in 542, although the present church dates from the 11th century. Beyond the famous cafés, Flore and Les Deux Magots (see Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots), the boulevard runs west past art galleries, bookshops and designer boutiques to the Pont de la Concorde. To the east, it cuts across the Latin Quarter through the pleasant street market in the place Maubert, to join the Pont de Sully which connects to the Ile St-Louis (see Ile de la Cité and Ile St-Louis).
Boulevard St-Germain

There’s no better way to enjoy the Latin Quarter than to do as the Parisians do – stroll the Boulevard St-Germain, preferably late on a Sunday morning. After your walk, honour the birthplace of café society with a coffee at either Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore, two of the city’s most famous literary and intellectual haunts (see St-Germain, Latin and Luxembourg Quarters).
Boulevard St-Michel

The main drag of the Latin Quarter was created in the late 1860s as part of Baron Haussmann’s city-wide makeover (see The Second Empire), and named after a chapel that once stood near its northern end. It’s now lined with a lively mix of cafés, clothes shops and cheap restaurants. Branching off to the east are rues de la Harpe and de la Huchette, which date back to medieval times. The latter is an enclave of the city’s Greek community, with many souvlaki stands and Greek restaurants. In the place St-Michel is a huge bronze fountain that depicts St Michael killing a dragon.
Bouquinistes

The green stalls of the booksellers (bouquinistes ) on the quays of the Left Bank are a Parisian landmark. Pore over the posters, old postcards, magazines, hardbacks, paperbacks, comics and sheet music.
Bourbon Dynasty

Henri III named his son-in-law, Henri of Navarre, as his heir, but when the king was assassinated in 1589, Catholics refused to accept a Protestant monarch. After a four-year war, Henri converted to Catholicism and entered Paris as the first Bourbon king. He, too, was assassinated in 1610, leaving his young son Louis XIII to usher in Le Grand Siècle (Grand Century), as the 17th century later came to be known.
Bourse du Commerce

The circular building which houses the Commercial Exchange was erected as a grain market in 1767 and remodelled in the 19th century. It was first covered with a wooden dome, then by subsequent structures of iron and copper. Under today’s glass dome, activity in the coffee and sugar commodities market is covered at a leisurely pace compared to the way other world financial centres operate.
Boutique Maille

The retail outlet for one of France’s finest mustard-makers. Try flavoured mustards such as Cognac or champagne. There are also lovely ceramic condiment jars.
Boutique Prada

The signature bags, shoes and leather goods are displayed on the ground floor, while the fashions are upstairs.
Brasserie Bofinger

Paris’s oldest brasserie, dating from 1864, is worth a visit if only for the original wood and glass decor and leather banquette seating. The menu offers staple bistro dishes such as oysters and pepper steak, briskly but politely served (see Bofinger).