Although they may not be aware of its name, most first-time visitors to Paris make a beeline for the 7th arrondissement the minute their airplane touches down in Charles de Gaulle. It is, afterall, home to Paris’s most famous resident and one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world– le Tour Eiffel. The Eiffel Tower was built by the modest (ha) Gustav Eiffel who was commissioned to build it for the 1889 World Expo. It wasn't popular with the locals and 20 years later the city was ready to tear it down as an eyesore when they realised that it had a secondary function as an antenna for those new-fangled ‘radio’ devices.

Whether you agree with the initial French evaluation that named it ‘the metal asparagus’ or whether you think it’s beautifully industrial, you really do have to see the Eiffel Tower up close at some stage during your visit. There are three levels open to visitors (with access by elevator) all of which provide panoramic views of the city. If you want to climb the Eiffel Tower however, you would be well advised to book ahead on the official website to avoid insane queues. If you have some cash to spare you can dine in either of the tower’s two restaurants. Le 58 Tour Eiffel on the first floor is good for a coffee and a cake but if you’re looking for something really special you need Jules Verne on the second floor. The Michelin starred restaurant is as expensive as its views are mind-blowing. If you ask us though, the best Paris views have the Eiffel Tower in them. Our hands-down favourite is from the tower of Notre Dame and oh, look at that! We have a skip the line access tour.

Hotel des Invalides rewards a visit

One of the greatest shames of 7eme is that too many visitors leave after ogling the Eiffel Tower and lounging on Champs des Mars. Historically the city’s most affluent neighbourhood, the 7th arrondissement has a wealth of beautiful buildings and significant sights to offer even the casual tourist. On the other end of Champs des Mars to the Eiffel Tower for example, is the École Militare, the military school where Napoleon himself trained. Military history fans will also love the French army museum at Hotel des Invalides, a building commissioned by Napoleon to house injured soldiers. While the hospital there is still active, the rooms that once housed decommissioned soldiers today host interesting displays.

Then there is that other gem resurrected in preparation for the World Expo – the Palais Orsay, once a train station and now home to the Musée d’Orsay. Second only to the Louvre in terms of its collection, Musée d’Orsay is a much quieter option and an absolute treasure trove of works by Manet, Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Pissaro and Van Gogh among others. Admission is a reasonable €8.50 at the door or you can avoid the queues by booking online here. Perhaps the arrondissement's second most visited musem is Musée Rodin which exhibits the works of Auguste Rodin among others. You probably know Rodin's sculpture 'The Thinker' best but he has many other works that are just as lovely. With collections that focus mostly on scupltures, the museum is based outdoors aswell as indoors. Other art spots worth checking out include the culturally diverse Musée de quai Branly which has displays of every type on (what sometimes feels like) every topic, and Musée Maillol, which showcases a mostly sculpture-based collection.

Musée D'Orsay was a train station

As is so often the case in Paris, one of the best things to do in the 7th arrondissement is just to stroll around. For a long time this leafy neighbourhood was the most desirable for residents in Paris. Even today the buildings reflect this 17th and 18th century demand. Known as Faubourg St-Germain (or Le Faubourg for short), the area from Hotel des Invalides to Rue de Babylon has innumerable beautiful government buildings, embassies and hotels particulares including Hôtel Biron which houses Musée Rodin, Hôtel de Salm and Hôtel Matignon. Checking the concentration of embassies is always a pretty good way to judge the affluence of any neighbourhood but nowhere is this more true than in Le Faubourg. In fact, Le Faubourg is so pretty that the French National Assembly relocated here. So pretty that the districts name has become a byword for the French aristocracy.

Hôtel Biron, just one hotel particular

In conclusion, if you come to 7e and leave after seeing the Eiffel Tower, without wandering the streets looking at its famous hotels particulares and without seeing at least one of its galleries, you’re missing out. But there are more off-the-beaten track gems here too. If you’re looking for something a little different consider a trip to the Musée des Égouts de Paris – the Paris Sewer Museum.