Paris; Travel Back In Time Via Its Monuments...

Notre-Dame

Notre-Dame is a masterpiece of gothic architecture, situated in the heart of Paris; completed in the 13th century, it inspired the greatest writers including, of course, Victor Hugo; Paul Claudel discovered his faith here one Christmas night... Its enormous nave extends over three floors and the walls are bathed in the light which enters through its large rose windows.

Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees

Catherine Medici has this avenue planted with trees: hence the birth of the Champs Elysees. On leaving the Concorde, you will visit the Petit and the Grand Palais. At the other end, Napoleon had the Arc de Triomphe erected. Next came the colossal sculptures. Nowadays, the recently renovated avenue is one of the finest in the world and, under the Arch, the tomb of the unknown soldier pays hommage to those who died during the First World War. Situated close by, the Grande Arche de la Defense, a symbol of modernity and an exceptional architectural success, shelters the "Arche de la Fraternite", dedicated to the Rights of Man.

Louvre Museum

The citadel of the Louvre which Francois I enriched with a Renaissance wing, nowadays extends over some 18 hectares. This is the largest museum in the world with its 400,000 works including its fabulous paintings. The glass pyramid which stands in the Napoleon court provides a truly astonishing entry into the world of art.. To be explored during several visits.

Some Places to Visit..

Place des Vosges, created at the request of Louis XIII, is the jewel of the district of Marais. Its symmetrical houses with their red and golden walls, make this one of the most beautiful areas of Paris. Visit the Marais whose private dwellings are now homes to museums; that of Carnavalet is dedicated to the history of Paris and in the Hotel Sale you will meet Picasso. Place Vendome is octagonal in shape and has elegant white facades and prestigious buildings. The Place de la Concorde which Louis XV insisted should be vast, later became the Place de la Revolution; Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, Danton and Robespierre were all guillotined here. The obelisk of Loukshor was given to France by the vice-king of Egypt in 1829.

The Eiffel Tower

It is thanks to the Republic that the wide avenues were opened by Haussmann, and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. With its 7000 tones of iron it stands 300 meters tall; on the second floor, its restaurants and shops offer superb panoramic views. At its feet flows the Seine both are the very essence of Paris! Cross the bridge of Iena and you will find the Trocadero with its gardens and the Palais de Chaillot.

Districts Of Paris

Montmartre and Sacre Coeur on its hill: It was here that Picasso and Braque invented cubism. Toulouse-Lautrec painted the dancers of the Moulin Rouge. Apollinaire and Boris Vian lived here. The Quartier Latin retains its fascination for knowledge and learning: the Sorbonne, the highly reputable lycees, the universities and the College de France. A little further on you will find the quartier Saint-Germain famous for its great era of existentialists and Juliette Greco. Also to be seen, the very typical district of la Butte aux Cailles... And in the Ile Saint-Louis, wander through the charming narrow streets lined with former private dwellings...

Boutiques To Devour !

Some of the most delicious moments of your stay might be centered around a typically Parisian activity - window shopping. Take time to enjoy the superb haute couture of the 8th arrondissement, and to visit the perfumers around the magnificent Opera-Garnier. The antique shops in the splendid arcades of the Palais Royal surround Buren's 252 columns which define the space in black and white. And then, as you continue your promenade, you will encounter numerous bookshops, the districts with the most exclusive fashions and the great coiffeurs, the jewelers, the chocolate-makers.. so much to devour that you will not be able to stop walking

Paris Nights and Entertainment

The Palais Garnier and the Opera Bastille are bursting with quality and talent - as of course are all the theaters, the theater de la Ville, du Chatelet de la Comedie Francaise and so manor morel not forget-ring its hundreds of cinemas. Enjoy the gastronomy; typical Parisian restaurants, fashionable restaurants, the restaurants of great Chefs, the choice is yours. And then you have the whole night ahead of you to enjoy the festivities, the lively cabarets; Paris by night lives up to its reputation!

See the Paris of Today and Tomorrow

Take the bateau mouche - one of the most picturesque ways of exploring Paris. Also visit the gardens, the jardins du Luxembourg, the jardins des Plantes with their Grande Galerie totallyredesigned, the very latest Parc Andre Citroen, a gigantic multi-facetted garden. Between the gardens and your moments of contemplation take time to visit the cemetery of Pere Lachaise, where Victor Hugo, Proust, Sartre, Chopin, la Callas and Jim Morrison were all laid to rest.

Discover the new district of Bercy, to the east of Paris; Here you will find the Palais Omnisports,the new Ministry of Finance, the National Library of France which will offer both the general public and researchers an extraordinary wealth of literary heritage.

In the former abbatoirs of le Villette, you will find the great Halls of Science and Industry and, nearby the new National Academy of Music... a lively district with astonishing architecture.