The Eiffel Tower was only supposed to stand for 20 years, at least according to its permit. However, its utility as a radio transmission tower and its instantly iconic form have stood the test of time. The tower holds its share of secrets, too, from its paint job (actually three colors), to Gustave Eiffel’s secret apartment at the top, to the names of 72 scientists and engineers engraved across it. 

The Eiffel Tower is unavoidable on any visit to France’s capital, but within walking distance are a variety of other wonders, from a museum dedicated to the Paris sewers to the Statue of Liberty—given to France by the United States to honor the centennial of the French Revolution. Here are some of our favorite stops around this global icon.