Notre-Dame stands on Île de la Cité, often called the birthplace of Paris. The site has been sacred for thousands of years—long before the cathedral, there were Celtic worship spots, then Roman temples, followed by a Romanesque church. The Gothic cathedral we see today was completed in 1345 and became the heart of medieval Paris. Despite the fire in 2019 that damaged much of it, the main structure and most treasures survived. It stretches 128 metres long with two towers rising 69 metres high, still commanding the city’s skyline.

The Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon after his win at Austerlitz in 1806, took about 30 years to finish and was finally opened in 1836. Standing 50 metres tall, it sits at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, right at the western end of the famous Champs-Élysées. You’ll probably find yourself there at some point, as most visitors wander down this iconic avenue. The monument honours those who fought and died for France during the Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Beneath it rests the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

North Wall Arts Centre is an award-winning multi-disciplinary arts centre containing a 200-seat theatre, an art gallery, and two studio spaces. It has been created for the advantage of emerging artists across a range of disciplines. It opened its doors in 2007 and was created from a former Victorian swimming pool. The centre has won several national awards for its innovative design.

The Western Mountains (also referred to as "hills") make for an excellent day trip into nature. You can take a 20-minute cable car trip to the top; the 'Dragon Gate' carved into the side of the hill is an unmissable highlight, which also affords spectacular views of Kunming and Dianchi Lake. The tomb of Nie Er, the composer of the national anthem of China, rests on the hill.