ATTRACTIONS
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is the world's largest
traffic roundabout and the meeting point of 12
avenues. In 1806, it was commissioned by
Napoleon to commemorate his imperial victories,
but remained unfinished until 1836. Today,
France's national remembrance service is held
here annually on November 11th.
Find the tickets sold in the underground
passageway - the only sane way to reach the base
of the arch - that surfaces on the even-numbered
side of Ave des Champs-Élysées.
Bois de Boulogne
The modestly sized Bois de Boulogne, on the
western edge of the city, is endowed with
forested areas, meandering paths, belle époque
cafes and little wells of naughtiness.
Catacombes
In 1785, Paris decided to solve the problem
of its overflowing cemeteries by exhuming the
bones of the buried and relocate them in the
tunnels of several disused quarries, leading to
the creation of the Catacombes. Visitors to
this attraction will find themselves 20m (65ft)
underground, working their way along corridors
stacked with bones.
Cathédrale Notre Dame
If Paris has a heart, then Cathédrale Notre
Dame is its. Notre Dame de Paris is not only a
masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, but
has also been Catholic Paris' ceremonial focus
for seven centuries. The cathedral's immense
interior, a marvel of medieval engineering,
holds over 6000 people and has spectacular rose
windows.
Centre Pompidou
Known as Beaubourg, the Pompidou Centre is
all about modern and contemporary 20th-century
art. It has become the most visited cultural
sight in Paris with two floors dedicated to
exhibit some of the 40,000-plus works of the
Musée Nationale d'Art Moderne, France's national
collection of 20th-century art and the top
floors offering a magnificent view of Paris.
Cimetière du Père Lachaise
Cimetière du Père Lachaise's 70,000 ornate
tombs form a verdant, open-air sculpture garden,
founded in 1804. Among its resting residents
are famous composers, writers, artists, actors,
singers, dancers, and even the immortal
12th-century lovers Abélard and Héloïse. Here
you are to find one of the most popular graves -
of rock star Jim Morrison of the Doors.
Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower was once the world's tallest
structure at 320m (1050ft) until Manhattan's
Chrysler Building was completed, built for the
1889 Exposition Universelle (World Fair), held
to commemorate the centennial of the
Revolution.
Musée d'Orsay
The spectacular Musée d'Orsay displays
France's national collection of paintings,
sculptures, objects of arts and other works
produced in 1848-1914, including the fruits of
the impressionist, postimpressionist and art
nouveau movements.
Musée du Louvre
Musée du Louvre is a must visit if you have
even the merest interest in the fruits of human
civilization from antiquity to the 19th
century.
The most famous works from antiquity include
the Seated Scribe, the Jewels of
Rameses II and the armless duo - the
Winged Victory of Samothrace and the
Venus de Milo. From the Renaissance, don't
miss Michelangelo's Slaves, Leonardo da
Vinci's Mona Lisa and works by Raphael,
Botticelli and Titian. French masterpieces of
the 19th century include Ingres' La Grande
Odalisque, Géricault's The Raft of the
Medusa and the work of David and
Delacroix.
Place des Vosges
In 1605, King Henry IV decided to transform
the Marais district into a residential area for
Parisian aristocrats by building Place des
Vosges and arraying 36 symmetrical houses around
its square perimeter.
The arcades around the place are today
occupied by expensive galleries and shops, as
well as cafés filled with people drinking little
cups of coffee and air-kissing immaculate
passersby.
Sainte Chapelle
The most exquisite of Paris' Gothic gems,
Sainte Chapelle is tucked away within the walls
of the Palais de Justice. The chapel is
illuminated by a veritable curtain of luminous
13th-century stained glass (the oldest and
finest in Paris).
Consecrated in 1248, Sainte Chapelle was
built to house what was believed to be Jesus'
crown of thorns and other relics purchased by
King Louis IX. The chapel's exterior can be
viewed from across the street, from the law
courts' magnificently gilded 18th-century gate,
which faces Rue de Lutèce. |