Paris Landmarks: History and Souvenirs

The monuments of Paris tell over a thousand years of history. Each has become a global icon — and each inspires a range of souvenirs that our customers have been collecting for decades.

At Souvenirs & Co, we have been selling souvenirs featuring these landmarks since 1989. We know which models sell best, which make the finest gifts, and which collectors seek out. This guide pairs the history of each major monument with the souvenirs that celebrate it.

The Eiffel Tower: universal symbol of Paris

Built in 1889 for the World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower was meant to be dismantled after twenty years. It survived thanks to its usefulness as a radio antenna, and today it draws nearly 7 million visitors a year. Standing 330 metres tall, it is the most visited monument in the world — and by far the best-selling souvenir in our shop.

The miniature Eiffel Tower comes in metal, resin, crystal and bronze, from 5 to over 30 cm. Metal models between 10 and 18 cm are our top sellers: €3 to €12. You will also find it on our magnets, keychains, jewellery and mugs.

The Arc de Triomphe: glory atop the Champs-Élysées

Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 and completed thirty years later, the Arc de Triomphe stands at the top of the Champs-Élysées where twelve avenues converge. Beneath its vault rests the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and an eternal flame relit every evening at 6:30 pm. Its rooftop terrace, reached by 284 steps, offers one of the finest views of Paris.

The Arc de Triomphe is the second most depicted monument in our landmark souvenirs, after the Eiffel Tower. Painted resin replicas, relief magnets, snow globes and framed illustrations. Gift sets combining several Paris monuments always include the Arc, usually alongside the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame.

Notre-Dame de Paris: the resurrected cathedral

A Gothic masterpiece begun in 1163, Notre-Dame has endured eight centuries of history: Napoleon’s coronation, Victor Hugo’s novel, and the devastating fire of April 2019. Its restoration, completed in late 2024, has restored its stained glass, timber frame and spire to their full glory. Before the fire, it received over 12 million visitors a year — the most visited monument in France.

Notre-Dame souvenirs have seen a spectacular surge since the reopening. Demand has tripled in our shop. Resin replicas of the twin-tower facade, Gothic-style magnets, decorative gargoyles: Notre-Dame inspires a wide range. Models showing the façade before and after the restoration are particularly sought after.

Sacré-Cœur: the white basilica of Montmartre

Perched atop the Montmartre hill, the Sacré-Cœur basilica was built between 1875 and 1914 using Château-Landon limestone, which whitens with exposure to rain — which is why it appears more dazzling each year. The surrounding Montmartre quarter, with its Place du Tertre artists and winding staircases, is one of the most photographed areas in the capital.

Sacré-Cœur souvenirs play on the building’s distinctive whiteness. White resin replicas, snow globes with the basilica at the centre, magnets and painted plates. Watercolour illustrations of Montmartre, incorporating the Sacré-Cœur into the hillside scenery, are also very popular.

The Palace of Versailles: royal grandeur

The residence of Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles is a monument to royal excess. The Hall of Mirrors with its 357 looking glasses, Le Nôtre’s gardens stretching over 800 hectares, the Grand Canal: everything is designed to impress. Over 8 million people visit the estate each year.

Versailles souvenirs lean into luxury and refinement: miniature palace reproductions, gilded magnets, and gift sets pairing Versailles with other Paris monuments. These souvenirs are especially popular with our American and Asian customers, for whom Versailles epitomises French elegance.

The Panthéon, Opéra Garnier and other treasures

Paris has many more remarkable monuments. The Panthéon holds the tombs of Victor Hugo, Marie Curie and Alexandre Dumas. The Opéra Garnier dazzles with its gilding and Chagall ceiling. The Conciergerie preserves Marie Antoinette’s cell. Each inspires its own souvenirs in our Paris landmarks collection.

Building your Paris monument collection

Many of our customers build their collection monument by monument, trip by trip. The idea is simple: an Eiffel Tower on the first visit, an Arc de Triomphe on the second, then Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur, Versailles. Similar-sized resin replicas form a cohesive set on a shelf.

Magnets allow the same collecting game on your fridge door — one monument per trip, until you have reconstructed the entire Paris skyline. It is an idea our customers love, and some already have a dozen magnets lined up.

For more souvenir ideas beyond landmarks, our What to Buy in Paris guide covers every category. And if budget is tight, our top 10 affordable souvenirs has ideas starting from €2.

The monuments of Paris are far more than stone and metal: they are living witnesses to the history of France. Bringing home a souvenir that represents them is keeping a piece of that history. We have been helping visitors do exactly that since 1989.