Paris is a city that knows how to honor its heroes.

From Napoleon’s mammoth tomb, to Charles De Gaulle’s sprawling airport, to Gustave Eiffel’s gargantuan tower (which is not only named after old Gus himself, but is also engraved with the names of dozens of French scientists and mathematicians) this is a place that celebrates its greatest citizens. Many of the streets are named after writers, artists, or politicians, and you can’t throw a baguette without hitting one historical marker or another telling you where someone was born, died, or just popped in for a plate of escargots.

Getting into the spirit, we’ve put together a heroes list of our own. It recognizes the luminaries (and lesser figures) who have helped shape our time in Paris. Please join us in taking a few moments to honor them by clicking through the gallery below.

All photographs are copyrighted and the property of their respective owners.