Paris
Arc Du Carrousel (also known as The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel): Less well known, older and smaller than the Arc de Triomphe, the Arc Du Carrousel was also commissioned by Napoleon I. While the better known Arc de Triomphe has only one large arch, the Arc Du Carrousel has three, a large one in the center and a smaller arch at both sides. The monument is about 20 meters / 63 feet high. It was completed in 1808, with a similar design to the ancient Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome. The Arc Du Carrousel is located on Place du Carrousel, adjacent to Louvre Museum.
The Tuileries: Once home to a Palace, The Tuileries is now a peaceful Garden between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. When the weather is nice tourists and Parisians enjoy a few moments of relaxation from the hectic pace of the city.
Place de la Concorde: A major square in Paris, with a 23 meter (74 foot) tall oblisque in the center. While it looks a bit like the Washington Monument with hieroglyphs, this oblisque once stood at the entrance to the Luxor Temple and is 3,300 years old. Two other related oblisques are in London (City of Westminster), and New York City (Central Park) and the trio of oblisques make up the so-called Cleopatra's Needles.
Arc de Triomphe: Commissioned in 1806 by Emperor Napoleon I to commemorate his conquests but not completed until 1836, fifteen years after he died in 1821, The Arc Stands over 51 meters (165 ft). Beneath the Arc is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the World War I. The Arc de Triomphe can be visited together with the Champs-Elysées, since this famous street begins at the Arc.
Centre Pompidou: It houses a huge public library, the Museum of Modern Art, a Center for Music Research. Built in 1977, the design of the center was controversial since most of the infrastructure such as water pipes, stairs and heating ducts are external while the interior of the building is open and uncluttered. Some hate it, some think it looks like it is still under construction, others think that it looks ‘inside-out’. But in 2007 the Centre Pompidou earned the acclaimed Pritzker Architecture Prize.
Statue of Liberty: A replica of the original Statue, this ¼ bronze copy (35 feet / 12 meter tall) was given from the US citizens living in Paris to the city in 1889. It stands on the Seine River facing west, towards the original. It can be seen from the Eiffel Tower. This is a very easy 1 mile walk along the river from the Eiffel Tower.
Liberty Flame (Flamme de la Liberté): Given in 1987 by the International Herald Tribune newspaper to the city of Paris, this is a replica of the flame held by the Statue of Liberty. Although the Flame was originally meant to be a symbol of friendship between the USA and France, it has become an unofficial memorial to Princess Diane who died in a car accident in a tunnel very close to the Liberty Flame.
Picasso Museum: Contains over 3000 different works of Picasso, much of it from his later years, plus Picasso’s own collection of art work by artists such as Cezanne, Degas, Matisse, Rousseau. Though born in Spain, Picasso moved to Paris at 19 and lived most of his life in France.
Latin Quarter: This neighborhood is filled with atmosphere, cafes, restaurants, bookstores and antique shops. It has been a university meeting grounds since the middle ages and gets its name from the fact that the university students spoke latin here. Come one evening for a walk and dinner. You will not be disappointed.
Champs-Elysées: The most prestigious street in Paris, Champs-Elysées is filled with cafes and boutiques. Extending about 2km (1.5 miles) from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place du Concord, this makes for a very nice and comfortable walk. Probably built in 1720, the Champs-Elysées was once known as the most beautiful avenue in the world. On a sunny day, this is the place to come to sit at one of the many sidewalk cafes, with their chairs lined up facing the parade of international pedestrians, and watch the world ‘go buy’.
Napoléon's Tomb / Les Invalides: Les Invalides a home and hospital for French soldiers. It is also the burial site of Napoleon I, much of the Napoléon family and many famous French heroes. But not Napoléon III, the last monarch of France. He is buried in England where he was exiled.
Arenes de Lutece: a 1st century Roman amphitheater and one of the only remains from the Roman occupation of France.
Elysee Palace: The residence of the President of France it is sort of the French White House (though it is not white). It is not open to the public.
The Historical Axis: is a line of historical monuments on a long straight road, that was commissioned by King Louis XIV to run from the Louvre to the Castle of St-Germain. Seven miles long, it runs from the Louvre, through the Tuileries Gardens, up the Champs-Elysées to the Place de l'Etoile (where the Arch of Triumph stands), then down Avenue de la Grande Armée which becomes Avenue de Neuilly before ending at the Great Arch of La Défense. This road continues to be the setting for the important events that take place in the capital city. It is sometimes also called the Axis of Three Arches, as it starts from the Arc Du Carrousel (near the Louvre), continues to the Arc de Triomphe and ends at the Grand Arche De La Defense. If you are looking for a historic walk in Paris, walk part of the Axis. Start from Arc de Triomphe, continue down the Champs Champs-Elysées to the Louvre. This is the downhill direction. You will walk past most of the landmarks mentioned above in about an hour. If this is not enough, continue in the same direction for about 20 minutes and across the Seine River you will find Notre Dame Cathedral.
Within Easy Reach of Paris: Fontainebleau: 30 minutes by train from Paris, this is a lovely town, home to the Château de Fontainebleau, a large and impressive residence of Kings. Once a medieval royal hunting lodge, the Château was transformed by Kings into an immense Renaissance Palace. Fontainebleau is also home to one of Europe's top business schools, INSEAD.
Eiffel Tower: Built from 1987-1889 for the International Exhibition of Paris to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution (1789) the tower was named for its designer Gustave Eiffel. When completed it was the world’s tallest structure at 324 meters (1062 ft). It was originally intended to last for only 20 years and be dismantled. Considered an eyesore by French artists at the time of its construction, it is one of the most recognized landmarks in the world today. If visiting in summer, arrive early; by mid-day, the wait to buy a ticket can be over 1 hour.
The Louvre: This was first a fortress then a royal palace and finally a museum. In the 16th century the medieval fortress was demolished and a palace was built in which François I and later King Louis XIV lived. In 1793 the Palais du Louvre began to exhibit art and this spread to take over the entire building. Now the massive Louvre Museum is home to some of the world’s most treasured art including two very famous Leonardo da Vinci oil paintings, Mona Lisa and The Virgin and Child with St. Anne; two very famous ‘broken statues’ Winged Victory and Venus de Milo; plus many, many famous pieces by immortal artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Raphael and David. This is now one of the most famous museums in the world. Even if you are not a fan of museums, this one is a must to see.
Sacre Coeur (Basilique du Sacré Cœur): In English, Basilica of the Sacred Heart. It took nearly 40 years to complete, finally finished in 1914 the Basilica was not consecrated until 1919 after World War I. It is also possible to receive the Sacrament of Confession in English (reservations suggested). The Basilica is located on the peak of the Montmartre hill, and offers a beautiful view over the city. There is a small funicular train that runs up the steep slope to the top of the hill to make the ascent easier. After visiting the Sacre Coeur, continue to Montmartre.
Montmartre: As noted in our Brief History of France, Montmartre played an enormous role in the development of the art world, as many famous artists came here to set up their studios. Today, this area is filled with cafes and restaurants and hundreds of artists who draw portraits as a souvenirs for tourists.
Notre Dame de Paris: Constructed between 1163 and 1345, but heavily damaged several times, including the French Revolution, the Cathedral was renovated in 1845. Notre Dame was the first Gothic Cathedral and is probably the most famous Cathedral in the world, much of its fame a result of Victor Hugo’s novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Notre Dame Cathedral was one of the first buildings to use the Flying Buttress, a beam that transmits weight from the inside of the building, to the outside. The Flying Buttress gives support to a wall allowing a window to be built without weakening the structure. Tours of the Cathedral Towers (north and south), the crypts and the church museum are regularly scheduled. Important French Catholic religious events are held at Notre Dame.
Versailles: 20 KM outside of Paris, like the Château de Fontainebleau it was a hunting lodge that was converted to become the Palace of Kings. Three kings lived here, Louis XIV, XV and XVI. It takes about 40 minutes to reach by train from the center of Paris. There are three train stations in Versailles, each served by different train lines from Paris. Find out which is your closest stop to the Palace BEFORE you get on the train.
Disneyland Paris: About 30 km (20 miles) from Paris this Disney resort is very similar to other Disneylands around the world, except here Mickey speaks French! It has many of the well known rides, such as the Haunted House, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Small World, etc. Next door is Walt Disney Studios Park. Disneyland Paris is said to be Europe’s number 1 tourist destination. Train from Paris will take 30 - 40 minutes. It is a fun break, especially if you are traveling with kids or if you are a big kid yourself.