Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris and likely the most
recognizable landmark of the city. It was built by Gustave Eiffel for the
World Exhibition of 1889 and it was never meant to be a permanent addition
to the city's skyline. Initially the artists and writers of Paris expressed
their strong disapproval in regards to the tower but later generations
commended it. The figures are impressive (like the fact that it weights
7000 tons) but forget about them and try to enjoy the sight (you'll forget
the numbers soon but you'll always remember the tower's profile on the
Paris sky). Everyone wants to visit this landmark so expect the lines to
be long (or arrive there early).
Located by the Seine on Ile de la Cite, La Conciergerie
was originally part of the Royal Palace. It first became a prison at the
end of the 14th century and today it is better known for the role it
played during the French Revolution (18th century) when it housed over
4000 prisoners including Danton, Robespierre and even Marie-Antoinette.
From here people (including the three mentioned above) were being sent to
the guillotine. The name of the building comes from the superintendent of
the palace (concierge) which was in charge of renting out shops and
gathering taxes. Some highlights not to be missed include the impressive
Salle des Gens d'Armes (Room of the People at Arms) a vast Gothic room
that was used as a banqueting hall and Marie Antoinette's cell. Address:
1 Quai de l'Horloge.
Musee d'Orsay opened in 1986 in a beautiful building
which served as a train station until 1960's. The museum is devoted to
the period dating from 1848 to 1914 providing a bridge between the
classical Louvre and the modern Centre Pompidou. The main attraction of
the museum are the Impressionists with numerous paintings by Renoir,
Monet, Manet (which is considered a class of its own), Pissarro, Sisley.
Included here are also the post-Impressionist Cezanne, Degas and Vincent
Van Gogh. I enjoyed a lot my visit here; the collection of Impressionist
art is truly impressive and Musee d'Orsay is one attraction of Paris that
is well worth a visit. Address: 1 Rue de Bellechase.
The Louvre is the world's largest museum and one of the
world's greatest art collections in the world. The palace stretches for
about half mile between the Seine and rue de Rivoli. It was originally a
fortress built by Philippe-Auguste in the 13th century. 300 years later
Francois I replaced it with a Renaissance style building. Many French kings
continued to add to the construction and improve it. Some of the kings used
it as their residence before the court moved to Versaille. Louvre was first
opened to the public in 1793 and has been used as a museum ever since. The
latest addition to the building is the glass pyramid (also a museum
entrance) that sits in the courtyard which was designed by I. M. Pei.
The pyramid was unveiled in 1989.
The Louvre's collection is overwhelming in size and it includes paitings,
drawings, sculptures, antiquities, furniture, coins etc It is impossible
to see everything in one day, in fact I believe it is impossible to see
everything even if you spend a few years here. Most people run to see the
two ladies, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and the statue of Venus de Milo.
They are always surrounded by a crowd of people. But try to see more than
that; walls are practically lined with masterpieces.
There are many entrances to the museum, not only the one through Pyramid
which is always the most crowded. The museums pass card works here and
helps in skipping the lines. After 3PM and on Sundays the ticket is half
price.
When we arrived to Sacre-Coeur we were surprized to
recognize the Byzantine style in the architecture of the basilica. We
weren't quite expecting it, after days of seeing only Gothic architecture
in most of the city's churches. That made me very curious about
Sacre-Coeur's past. The French government decided to erect the basilica
after France's defeat by the Prusians in 1870 to symbolize the end of
the misfortunes and the return to strength of the 19th century France.
The construction was started in 1875 to Paul Abadie's design. Like many
other buildings in Paris, this one was controversial with people loving
it and hating it with the same passion. The basilica was finally
consecrated in 1919. Because of the location and size its effect is
grand. The inside has beautiful mosaics.
I read in my travel guide that in the Middle Ages this
church was likened to a "gateway to heaven"; once I got there I could see
why with my own eyes. This is one of the most beautiful churches that I've
seen in my life.
It was built in 1248 by Louis IX to house what was believed to be the crown
of thorns from Christ's crucifixion and fragments of the true cross. The
building is actually two chapels in one. The first floor chapel which was
for servants and lower members of the court is beautiful with its flying
buttresses but the upper chapel is infinite more striking. To get upstairs
you have to climb a dark spiral staircase. Once you enter the chapel you'll
be moved by the light that inundates the room created by the 15 magnificent
stained glass windows separated by the narrowest columns. This chapel was
for the king and important members of the court - I'm glad that simple
folk like us can marvel at it today ;-) The church is approached through
the court of Palais de Justice.
The Arc de Triomphe sits at the western end of
Champs-Elysees. It's the biggest triumphal arch in the world, about 164
meters high. The traffic around the arch is crazy and in order to reach
it you'll have to take an underground passage. The arch was commisioned
by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victory but wasn't ready for his
bride entrance into Paris, 4 years later. It wasn't actually completed
until 1836, under the reign of Louis-Philippe. Since then it has been
used for state funerals and parades. The Arc saw its happiest moments in
1944 when the parade for the liberation of Paris passed under it. You
can take an elevator or climb the stairs to the top. There you'll find a
small museum depicting the history of the Arc and from the terrace you'll
get a nice view of Paris with the many streets radiating from the "Star".
From around the middle of the 19th century to the World
War I the slopes of Montmartre used to be the place where artists
throve.
Toulouse-Lautrec made Montmartre its home and so did Van Gogh, Cezanne,
Degas and many others. It was cheap and pretty and it had an abundance
of
disreputable nightlife. The famouse Moulin Rouge is to be found here.
After
World War I the area lost its spark and today the area swings between
being
very touristic during the day and the same shady nightlife during the
night. Among many things you'll find here make sure not to miss the
Sacre-Coeur
church. The views of Paris from its steps make you understand why
artists
will come here to find their inspiration.
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