Top things to do in Paris, France

by diana_ciocoiu review

► added on 30th of June, 2009

Paris, the capital and largest city of France, is an important cultural center of fashion, entertainment and gastronomy.The most recommended periods to visit Paris are spring and autumn. Why? Because the agreeable temperature provide better conditions for tourists to visit the fascinating city. The city of lights offers a wide range of impressive tourist attractions:

1. Eiffel Tower: If you go in Paris you really need to visit the Eiffel Tower. To go to Paris and not visit the Eiffel Tower is just something inconceivable. This tower
can be seen from almost anywhere in town. The monument draws it's name from his designer,called Gustave Eiffel.The highest tower of Paris measure 325 metres long and weighs over ten thousand tons. The most visited place in Paris is always crowded and the queues may be very long. To avoid them as much as possible is recommended to try to visit him in the morning and midweek. The famous construction of steel has no less than 3 levels open to the public for visitation. At the first level we find the restaurant "Altitude 95", a mini-post and a cinema hall that runs movies about the history of the monument. At second level we find a more expensive and grandiose restaurant, called "Jules Verne" - and we have the opportunity to admire the characters of wax in the office of Gustave Eiffel and also the breath-taking landscape of Paris just on the third level. Access to the first and second level is available on both: stairs and elevator,but access to the last level is possible only with the elevator. If you take the elevator up to the last level it costs 11euro / person. Another thing good to know is that the tower provides a brilliant show of lights at every fix o'clock and it lasts for 10 minutes.

2.Arch of Triumph: Arch of Triumph measure 49.5 meters high, 45 meters width and 22 in depth and is the second triumphal arch size existing in the world. The Arch is situated at the western end of the famous avenue Champs-Elysees. Arch of Triumph is a tribute in honor for those who fought for France, especially during the Napoleonic wars. On the inside and above the arch are engraved names of all generals and wars conducted.

3. Champs-Elysees Avenue: Boulevard Champs-Elysees is the most famous artery in Paris. It is a place dedicated to luxury and good taste, one of the most expensive property areas in Europe. Here is the residence of President of France, is the headquarters of major fashion houses, the embassies and consulates, five-star hotels and famous restaurants.

4.Palace of Versailles: Versailles was the official residence for the kings of France between 1682 and 1790. Access to the palace includes: The Apartments of Queens and Kings (including the Mirror Room); The King Room; Chapel, and the galleries section of XVII century; French History Galleries; Grand Trianon; The Apartments of the Daughters of King Louis of XV century (only between April 1 and October 31); The Apartments of heirs throne; Marie-Antoinette's estate (only between April 1 and October 31); Wonderful performances of wells (only between April 1 and September 30 every weekend and holiday days).

5.Louvre Museum: Louvre Museum is the most visited art museum in the world. Today the museum are hosting over 380.000 objects and 35.000 works of art. Since 2008 Louvre Museum collection is divided into eight categories: Oriental Antiques, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Arts of Islam, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Painting,Graphic Arts. Collection of paintings has over 6.000 pieces and here we can also find masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa (or Gioconda).

6. Centre Pompidou: The name of Centre Pompidou was given by Georges Pompidou, who was the president of France between 1969 and 1974. Pompidou Centre hosts a vast public library - Bibliothèque publique d'information (BPI), National Museum of Modern Art and IRCAM, a Center for Music and Acoustics Research.

7.Cabaret Moulin Rouge: Moulin Rouge is located near Montmartre and is easy to recognize because of the famous red wind mill that is on the roof. Moulin Rouge is famous because it is considered the place where was born the modern dance can-can. Today the Moulin Rouge is an important tourist attraction which offers dance and entertainment for clients around the world. Among the famous artists who have held performances in the famous cabaret in Paris are: Elton John, Liza Minelli, Frank Sinatra, Josephine Baker and Edit Piaf.

8.Dom des Invalides: In 1670, 14th Louis gave orders to build the Dom of Invalides, a military hospital able to treat soldiers wounded in the French wars in Europe. The Dom's name is a contraction of the "Hôpital des Invalides".Ashes of the biggest French military genius, Napoleon (1769-1821),which are under the Dom attracts many tourists of Paris. Besides the grave of Napoleon here are also buried Napoleon's family members (brothers, child), a few officers who served as well as many French military heroes.

9.The Pantheon: Pantheon is located on Ste-Geneviève mountain, near the Sorbonne University and Luxembourg Gardens.

10.The Opera: Opera has 11,000 square meters and a scene that can fit 450 artists. The interior is decorated with velvet, gold leaf, angels and nymphs. After beginning the work for construction of the Opera, it was found a subterranean lake which is still exists under the building's basement.

11. Place de la Concorde: Place de la Concorde, located between the Arch of Triumph and the Tuileries gardens, the entrance to the Avenue Champs Elysees, has an area of 8 hectares. The whole place is surrounded by columns with rostrale lamp.In every corner of the octagonal place is a statue representing many French cities: Rouen and Brest, Lyon and Marseille, Bordeaux and Nantes, Lille and Strasbourg. In the place is a tall obelisk which is almost 23 meters and is over 3300 years old, received as gift from Egypt.

12. Tuileries Gardens: A beautiful park, which lies in downtown Paris,between the building of the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.

13.Cathedral of Notre-Damme: Notre-Dame is considered the darkest cathedral of the greatest Gothic cathedrals.

14.La Defense: It is a modern neighbourhood with residential high buildings in western Paris, considered one of the biggest business centers of Europe. This neighbourhood includes 3 the suburbs: Courbevoie, Puteaux, and Nanterre; and basically is composed of the Skyscrapers, hotels and restaurants, shopping centers and large roads pedestrian.

15.Museum d’Orsay: The building which hosts the Museum d'Orsay is a former railway station, d'Orsay Railway Station. Museum d'Orsay is located on the left side of Seine and provides for viewing many paintings, sculptures, furniture and photographs, but is probably best known for its great collection of masterpieces of impressionist painters such as Renoir, Monet or Cezanne.

16.The Sacre-Coeur Basilica: It is a Roman Catholic basilica that is located in a popular area of Paris - Place St.Pierre from Montmartre hill. Basilica is dedicated to the sacred heart of Jesus Christ.

17.Disneyland and Walt Disney Studio: These well-known parks are destinated for both children and adults accompanying them or to come solely for their own amusement. A magical land where you can spend a full day and having part of the most fun. Tickets for one day in one of the parks costs 47euro/adult and 39euro / child(3-11) and tickets for one day for both parks is 57euro/adult and 49euro/child.

18.Roland Garros Stade and Stade de France: For those who are passionate of sports like tennis or rugby,I recommend Roland Garros Stade and Stade de France.

The French capital is a city of unique beauty, to understand the charm of this city should be visited at least once in life.