Arc de Triomphe-Champs Elysees-Place de la Concorde: Located on the Charles De Gaulle Etoile place, the Arc de Triomphe stands at the head of the Champs Elysees Avenue. This monument is a landmark for Paris and it is dedicated to French military victories and the glory of the revolutionary army. You can admire the Arc either from the avenue or by climbing to the top and enjoying the view from the terrace. The monument is located very near to the metro and RER station Charle De Gaulle Etoile. Access details and admission fees, here at the official website. You can then stroll down the Champs Elysees Avenue, through the shops and the various restaurants on the upper part. At about the middle of the avenue on your right (Champs Elysees-Clemanceau metro station), you will be able to admire the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, and to enjoy a beautiful view of the Seine and the dome of the Invalides. At the end of the avenue, you will reach Place de la Concorde, the biggest and one of the most famous places in Paris, to admire the Obelisk that stands there.
Eiffel Tower-Champ de Mars: The Eiffel Tower is the most important landmark of Paris. Built in 1889 for the Universal exhibition in Paris bu Gustave Eiffel, the 324m tall structure offers a splendid view of Paris from its three accessible to visitors floors. Access details and fees, here. On the southeast side of the Tower, one can see the Champ-de-Mars, a large green area originally used for military drills.
Tip: Queues to access the tower are quite long and one must be prepared to wait. A good idea would be to go there later in the evening especially around or after 10 pm. Waiting time tends to get less then and you avoid standing under the hot Parisian sun. Also, note that in some cases the third (top) floor is not accessible.
Notre-Dame: One of the most famous cathedrals in the world, located in the heart of Ile-de la Cite (one of the two small islands in Ile-de-France). Notre Dame does not only represent a stunning architectural monument, but also provides the opportunity to admire all the famous sites of Paris from its towers. Access details and fees, here.
Tip: Notre Dame has a very long queue due to the fact that only 30-50 people are allowed to climb up every time. Note also that the queue for the towers is not the same with the queue that allows you to visit the interior of the church. A good idea would be to arrive there about 20 minutes before opening time and to wait first at the queue for the towers, as the queue for the interior tends to move much faster.
Musee du Louvre: One of the most famous museums in the world, featuring a vast collection of artworks from antiquity to renaissance. The museum is very big and it is literally impossible to see everything at once. However, there is a good map/plan provided and it is possible to see the most important exhibits in half a day or so. There are two entrances, one from the underground Carousel shopping center and the main entrance from the famous Pyramid. Arriving at the Palais-Royal-Musée du Louvre metro station if you are using the metro, we propose to follow the signs for the Carousel shopping center/Musee du Louvre and passing through the shopping center you will find yourself inside the museum, in front of the ticket area. There are both ticket stands and automatic ticket vending machines. Access details and fees, here.
In front of the Museum are the Tuileries Gardens, which offer a relaxing stroll all the way to Place de la Concorde. There is also a luna park there, with a ferry wheel, that is good if you want to see the museum and the area from a high point. It is also amusing for children.
Musee d'Orsay: Facing the Louvre, on the opposite bank of the Seine, the impressive Orsay Museum is housed in what once used to be an old train station. The museum has collections from the period 1848 to 1914. It has many famous artworks, including some from Van Gogh, Monnet, Manet, Toulouse Lautrec, Rodin, Delacroix etc. Plus is the spendlid view of the Seine from the terrace of the Museum. Access and details, here.
Pantheon: Originally built in 1790 as a massive St Genevieve church by king Louis XV, today the Pantheon is a mausoleum for the great men of France. It is also the place where the famous
Foucault's pendulum was installed, which demonstrated the rotation of the Earth. The pendulum has been reinstalled from 1995 and on. Access details and fares, here.
Invalides-Musee de l'Armee: Built in 1670 by Louis XIV to accommodate homeless soldiers, the building maintains its purpose but houses also the tomb of Napoleon the 1st and the impressive Musee de l'Armee. Access details and fares, here (in French, but easily understandable).
Opera Garnier: Completed in 1875 the famous Paris National Opera house deserves a visit. Learn more about it at its official website where you can also book your tickets.
St Sulpice: One of the biggest churches of Paris, St. Sulpice has attracted attention lately due to its reference in Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code". Find out more about it here or at the official website (in French).
St Germain de Pres: Named of the 6th century bishop Germain, this is one of the oldest churches of Paris. Access and details here and here(French).
Forum des Halles: Shopping center located where once was Paris main food market. Details here.
La Sorbonne: The oldest and most prestigious university in Paris is well-worth a visit. Access and details, here.
La Defence-La Grande Arche: The main commercial/business centre of Paris, is the symbol of the capital's business life. It's worth a visit, just to admire the arch and the huge business buildings. Access and details, here.
Jardin du Luxembourg: impressive garden, an oasis of green in the centre of Paris. Famous also as the place where the main heroes of Victor's Hugo book "Les Miserables", first met. Don't miss it! Access and details, here.
Place de Vosges: One of the oldest and most famous places in Paris is this gorgeous square located in the heart of the Marais area. Nearby is the house of the famous writer Victor Hugo. More details can be found here.
Also, you may view our guide for Parisian public transport and for getting from the airports to the city center.
Back to our Paris articles collection.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment