Eiffel TowerGustave Eiffel, the architect of the Eiffel Tower
(Tour Eiffel) could never have guessed that it would become Paris's
signature sightseeing attraction and bring more than six million
visitors a year. It was built as a temporary structure to
commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution and was opened
by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England. The
Eiffel Tower was considered an eyesore by many and there were
petitions to have it pulled down. It was saved only because it had
become an important antenna for telegraphy. It towers 984ft (300m)
above the Champ de Mars and until 1930 was the world's tallest
building. The highest of its three levels offers a wonderful
panoramic view over Paris.Notre-DameNotre-Dame looms large over the Place de Parvis, on
the Isle de la Cité, and as the most enduring symbol of Paris is an
alluring tourist attraction. Built between 1163 and 1345 the
Cathedral is considered one of the of the world's Gothic
masterpieces. The massive interior can seat 6,000 and it is
dominated by three spectacular and enormous rose windows and a vast
7,800-pipe organ. The 387-step climb to the top of the towers is
worth the effort for the panoramic view of the city and the
close-up views of the famous gargoyles. The tower also holds the
great bell that was rung by Quasimodo, the fictional hunchback.
Opposite the north door is a museum that displays the Cathedral's
history, while under the square in front of the Cathedral is the
crypt that houses Notre-Dame's archaeological museum.LouvreOne of the world's great art museums, this vast
edifice houses an extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures
and antiquities from all over the world. The Louvre was opened to
the public in 1793, soon after the Revolution, to display the
spectacular treasures looted from the royal palaces. The best-known
attraction is Leonardo da Vinci's enigmatic Mona Lisa, which is
protected by bullet-proof glass within its own room. The permanent
collections are divided into Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Asian
antiquities, painting, drawings, sculpture and objects d'art. Don't
even attempt to see it all in one day.Pompidou CentreBuilt in the 1970s and named after former French
president Georges Pompidou, the futuristic Pompidou Centre is now
considered part of the Parisian landscape. The outrageous design,
complete with its glass elevators, was the inspiration for the
Lloyds Building in London and attracts visitors by the million; it
is the city's most popular attraction by far. The building houses
the Musée National d'Art Modern (MNAM), which displays a vast
collection of 20th-century art from Fauvism and Cubism to Abstract
and Absurd and its numerous cinemas and theatres have regular
musical and dance performances. The square to the West of the
building attracts a varied assortment of street
performers.Musée d'OrsayThis great museum is fairly new by Paris standards. It
is situated in a railway station by the Seine and houses a vast
collection of works from the significant 1848 to 1914 period. There
are important works from the Art-Nouveau movement but the Orsay is
best known for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The
collection is arranged chronologically and contains highly regarded
works by Monet, Manet and Courbet. Also on permanent display is the
famous painting by Gustave Doré entitled L'énigme and Henri Chapu's
marble statue of Joan of Arc in Domrémy.Musée RodinThe Rodin Museum is situated near the Musée d'Orsay
and is housed in what was formerly the Hôtel Biron, the beautiful
hotel where Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) once lived and worked. Inside
are many of Rodin's great marble sculptures including The Kiss
while outside, in the garden, are famous bronzes including The
Thinker. The museum also includes many works by Camille Claudel,
Rodin's pupil and mistress, and paintings by Van Gogh, Renoir,
Manet and Rodin himself.Musée National PicassoThe Picasso Museum is situated in a 17th century
mansion in the heart of Paris. The collection was started in 1973,
after the French government accepted Picasso's own collection in
lieu of death duties, and was added to after his widow's death in
1990. All the phases of work from the Paris-based artist are
represented including his paintings, drawings, ceramics, sculptures
and even poetry. Memorable works include the self-portrait Paolo as
Harlequin and Nude in an Armchair. Most of Picasso's great
paintings however are owned by and housed in foreign museums or are
in the hands of private collectors.VersaillesThe Château de Versailles stands 15 miles (24km)
southwest of Paris and is one of France's noted attractions. Most
of the palace was built between 1664 and 1715 by Louis XIV (known
as the Sun King), who turned his father's hunting lodge into the
grandest palace ever built. The 'Old Château' still exists but is
enveloped by the vast white stone façade of the New Château. This
lavish statement of monarchical power was to become a symbol of the
excess that would lead to the revolution of 1789. Perhaps the most
famous room in the palace is the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des
Glaces) where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, signifying the
end of the Great War. Within the palace visitors can also see the
former Royal bedchambers, the grand staircase and other staterooms,
and within the vast landscaped park and gardens are many
wonderfully ornate fountains and ponds. There is a small train that
ferries visitors from the palace to the Grand Trianon and Petit
Trianon, former love nests where both the Sun King and Napoleon
enjoyed the company of their mistresses.FontainebleauIn the 16th century, Henry II and Catherine de Medici
commissioned architects Philibert Delorme and Jean Bullant to build
a new palace here within the Fontainebleau forest 40 miles (64km)
south of Paris. Italian Mannerist artists Rosso Fiorentino and
Primaticcio came to assist in the interior decoration, helping to
found the School of Fontainebleau. Visitors will see the long
Gallery of François I, which the artists adorned with scenes like
The Rape of Europa and the monarch holding a pomegranate, a symbol
of unity, as well as the richly adorned Louis XV Staircase and the
Ballroom with its monumental fireplace and frescoes. The palace was
a refuge for French monarchs from the days of the Renaissance; they
valued it because of its distance from the slums of Paris and for
the rich hunting grounds that surrounded it. Many important events
have occurred here, perhaps none more memorable than when Napoleon
stood on the grand steps in front of the palace and bade farewell
to his shattered army before departing for Elba. Compared to the
glories of Versailles, however, Fontainebleau can be a bit of an
anticlimax; it is best to see it before Versailles.Arc de TriompheThe world's largest triumphal arch, the Arc de
Triomphe de l'Etoile is set at the centre of a star-shaped
configuration of 12 radiating avenues. It stands 165ft (51 metres)
tall and the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary
and Napoleonic periods are engraved around the top of the Arch. The
names of less important victories, as well as those of 558
generals, can be found on the inside walls. Since 1920, the tomb of
France's Unknown Soldier has been sheltered underneath the arch.
Its eternal flame commemorates the dead of the two world wars, and
is rekindled every evening at 18 0. On July 14, the French National
Day, also known as Bastille Day, a military parade starts at the
arch and proceeds down the Champs Elysées.Les InvalidesLes Invalides were built by Louis XIV in 1670 as a
military hospital to take care of wounded soldiers. This attraction
comprises the largest single collection of monuments and museums in
Paris all relating to the military history of France. It is a
burial site for some of France's war heroes, including the ashes of
the greatest French military genius, Napolean Bonaparte, rest under
the dome of Les Invalides and attract many visitors to Paris. Its
13 hectares of building and large church with a golden dome make
Les Invalides a classical French architecture
masterpiece.Jardin des PlantesThe Jardin des Plantes is France's main botanical
garden. Covering 28 hectares (280,000 m²) the garden was originally
planted by Louis XIII's doctor in 1626 as a medicinal herb garden.
In 1640, it became Paris's first public garden. In 1739, after a
long period of decline, the gardens wee expanded greatly and a maze
called the Labyrinth was added. It still exists today. The Jardin
des Plantes maintains a botanical school which constructs
demonstration gardens and trains botanists.Disneyland ParisComprising two theme parks, Disneyland Paris is a must
for all children visiting the city. With all their favourite
characters, exciting rides and much more, children of all ages will
love Disneyland Paris. There are also seven Disney-owned hotels for
visitors and holidaymakers to choose from to help make their
Disneyland Paris experience one to remember.Musée National d'Histoire NaturelleLocated in the Jardin des Plantes, the Musée National
d'Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum) greets visitors with
two gigantic whale skeletons at the entrance. With wonderful
exhibitions and fascinating displays on botany, archaeology and
palaeontology to name a few, the museum will captivate kids'
imaginations and educate them as well. The dinosaur exhibits is
hugely popular with the younger visitors, but this museum is a must
for children of all ages.Le Jardin d' AcclimatationThis children's amusement park sees thousands of
tourists every year. Featuring a menagerie and the Exploradome
Museum, with fantastic optical illusions and amazing structures,
the Jardin d'Acclimatation is a great place for kids to run around
and let off some steam.Parc AsterixBased on the comics by Uderzo and Goscinny, the Parc
Asterix, is a theme park located just outside of Paris. It's well
known for its large variety of roller-coasters and has begun
incorporating rides and themes from historic cultures such as the
Romans and the ancient Greeks. The Menhir express is a log flume
ride, while other rides include the Goudurix, the Grand Splatch and
the Oxygénarium.France MiniatureLocated in Flancourt, France Miniature features over
130 models of famous French attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower,
Lourdes and Versailles, for visitors to enjoy. Everything has been
created a 1/30 scale and some for the models are even animated.
Children will love spending a day out at this miniature
country.
|
Main Locations:
| Lille | | Lyon |
Flight Shops in India
City Square Mall, Rajouri
UGF-09 City Square Mall,
Raja Garden New Delhi
Call
011 4351 3720-26
or
email
Juhu Tara, Mumbai
Shop # 1 Ground Floor,
Marine Apartments, Juhu Tara Road, Santacruz (West) Mumbai
Call
022 61510101
or
email
www.wordtravels.com , copyright © Globe
Media Limited. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in
this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged
to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Flight
Shop and Globe Media cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience
to any person as a result of information contained above.
|