MUSÉE DU LOUVRE
Address : Rue de Rivoli Palais du Louvre Paris 75001
Phone: 01 40 20 53 17
Hours : Sat-Mon, Thu 9am-6pm | Wed, Fri 9am-10pm
The world's largest, richest collection of art and antiques occupies the Louvre, the world's largest museum and a one-time royal palace. Originally built in 1190 as a fortress, part of which can be viewed in the basement, the Louvre began taking its present form during the 16th century under Renaissance monarch François 1er, whose successors began filling it with artworks, but didn't officially open as a museum until 1793 after the French Revolution. In 1981, then-President Mitterrand spearheaded a stunning renovation of the facility, notably the glass pyramid that now provides the main entrance. As well as western art up until 1848 including Leonardo's Mona Lisa and masterpieces of French Romanticism by Delacroix and Géricault, collections take in decorative arts, Greek and Roman antiquities; Mesopotamia and the very popular Ancient Egyptian department, much loved by kids. Free admission first Sunday of the month. There are excellent book and gift shops and several cafés on site. METRO: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre.
L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE
Address : Pl Charles de Gaulle Paris 75008
Phone: 01 55 37 73 77
Fax: 01 44 95 02 13
Hours: Summer (Apr - Sep) Daily 10am-11pm | Winter (Oct - Mar) Daily 10am-10:30pm
This symbol of French victory was commissioned by Napoleon and completed in 1836. Adorned with sculpture and the names of military successes, the enormous arch features a small museum and rooftop viewing platform. At its base is the tomb of the unknown soldier. The arch sits at the center of place Charles de Gaulle (formerly place d'Etoile), a square that branches off into twelve avenues. It also offers great views southeast down the Champs-Elysées to the Louvre and northwest towards La Défense. Pedestrian access is most safely gained via the pedestrian tunnel from the north side of the Champs Elysées. METRO: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile.
LA TOUR EIFFEL
Address : Champ de Mars Paris 75007
Phone: 01 44 11 23 23
Fax: 01 44 11 23 22
Hours :Sep - Mid Jun Daily 9:30am-11pm | Mid Jun - Aug Daily 9am-Midnight
One of the world's most popular and well-known sites, this tower is not only a must-see for visitors but Paris's signature landmark. Although the structure was poorly received when it premiered in 1889, it's now a symbol of great civic and national pride. In fact, visitors must often wait in line before taking the elevator to the observation deck and seeing the city spread out below. At night, the tower becomes a beautifully illuminated sculpture. Gustave Eiffel, who designed the tower, also created the framework for NYC's Statue of Liberty. METRO: Bir Hakeim.
CENTRE GEORGES POMPIDOU
Address : Pl Georges Pompidou Paris 75004
Phone: 01 44 78 12 33
Hours: Wed-Mon 11am-9pm
This modern building with its color-coded mechanical systems highly visible on the exterior has become an icon of modern architecture. Within, the Musée National d'Art Moderne has an impressive collection of French and international modern and contemporary art and design from 1914 to the present, including impressive holdings by Matisse, Chagall, Picasso and the Surrealists. Located onsite, too, are the Brancusi Studio (open 2-6pm), temporary exhibition spaces, Galerie des Enfants, which puts on special exhibits for children, a public library, performance space, cinema, shop, bookstore and restaurant. METRO: Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet.
MUSÉE NATIONAL RODIN
Address : 79, rue de Varenne Paris 75007
Phone: 01 44 18 61 10
Fax: 01 44 18 61 30
Hours : Apr-Sep (Apr - Sep) Tue-Fri, Sun 10am-5:45pm Sat 10am-5pm | (Oct-Mar) Tue-Sun 10am-4:45pm
This museum, set in the Hôtel Biron, is a tribute to one of the world's finest sculptors. Thanks to Rodin's own donations, the facility offers a wealth of objects, including terra cotta, bronze and marble creations. Plaster and wax studies are available as well, along with his sketches, drawings, engravings, and his own collected art. Among the items on display are "The Hand of God" and the sculpture that brought Rodin the most fame, a nude of St. John the Baptist. METRO: (line 13) Varenne, Invalides or Saint-François-Xavier.
MUSÉE D'ORSAY
Address : 1, rue de la Légion d'Honneur Paris 75007
Phone: 01 40 49 48 14
Hours: Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun 9:30am-6pm | Thu 9:30am-9:45pm
This mammoth iron-and-glass former railway station built to bring visitors to the World Fair in 1900 was transformed into an art museum in 1986. The museum's holdings date from 1848 through World War I, showcasing the world's largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings and sculptures, by such luminaries as Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh and Gauguin, along with galleries devoted to the applied arts. Note that part of the museum is closed for refurbishment until March 2011. METRO: Solférino (line 12)
HÔTEL NATIONAL DES INVALIDES
Address : Esplanade des Invalides Paris 75007
Phone: 01 44 42 38 77
Hours : (Oct – Mar) Daily 10am-5pm (Apr – Sep) Daily 10am-6pm
This gorgeous architectural gem, completed in the 17th century, is located in the city's Faubourg-St-Germain region. It was created by Louis XIV as a home for aged soldiers and disabled veterans. Among its prominent features are a sweeping esplanade, a series of gardens, and a striking domed church, where military heroes (including Napoléon I) are interred. Also at this location is the Musée de l'Armée, an outstanding art and military history museum, with extensive armament collections. METRO: Invalides, Latour Maubourg
CATHÉDRALE NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS
Address : 6, pl du Parvis de Notre-Dame Paris 75004
Phone: 01 42 34 56 10
Hours : Cathedral Mon-Fri 8am-6:45pm Sat-Sun 8am-7:15pm Towers (summer) Daily 10am-6:30pm Towers (winter) Daily 10am-5:30pm Treasury Mon-Fri 9:30am-6pm Sat 9:30am-6:30pm Sun 1:30am-6:30pm
One of the most recognizable historic and religious sites in the world, Notre-Dame de Paris is a Gothic landmark and the city's spiritual home. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, it's a vision of stone, stained glass and history. English language tours are offered Wednesday and Thursday at 2pm, Saturday at 2:30pm. If you have the stamina to climb 387 steps, views from the north tower will take your breath away. High above the historic city center, you'll come eye-to-eye with gargoyles and see laid out before you the Hôtel de Ville, the Sorbonne and the Panthéon. Definitely worth the climb! METRO: Cité
BASILIQUE DU SACRÉ-COEUR
Address : Parvis du Sacré Cœur Paris 75018
Phone: 01 53 41 89 00
Hours : Church Daily 6am-11pm Dome/Crypt (summer) Daily 9am-7pm Dome/Crypt (winter) Daily 10am-5:30pm
Built in 1873 as a symbol of Christian righteousness, this historic basilica sits on a hill at Montmartre, dominating the Parisian skyline. Its design was decided by competition, and the triple-domed Byzantine sanctuary was constructed in devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The basilica houses religious texts and wonderful mosaics. It also hosts a regular array of events and activities.Views of the city from Sacre-Coeur are amazing. METRO: Anvers, Abbesses (line 12), Château-Rouge, Lamarck-Caulaincourt
CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES
Address : Pl d'Armes Paris 78000
Phone: 01 30 83 78 00
Hours : Château Tue-Sun 9am-6:30pm Trianons Tue-Sun Noon-6:30pm Formal Gardens Daily 8am-8:30pm Park Daily 7am-8:30pm Hours May Vary Seasonally
This wonderfully extravagant palace, where royals frittered away much of the treasury, is a necessary stop for visitors. Top designers of the day created an ornate complex of gardens, lakes, stables and guest houses to complement the luxuriously furnished palace, where Louis XIV, XV and XVI lived before the kingdom gave way to revolution. Beautifully restored rooms hint at the court's wealth, as seen in the gilt, crystal and hand-painted furnishings and details. Make sure to see the historic Hall of Mirrors. Guided and unguided tours are available. The gardens are as much as an attraction as the interior, especially when the spectacular fountains are turned on to music on summer weekends. Access from Paris by train (RER line C; Versailles Rive Gauche station is an 8-minute walk from the palace)
BOOK TODAY YOUR ACCOMMODATION TO PARIS!
BOOK TODAY YOUR ACCOMMODATION TO PARIS!
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1 comment:
Fantastic.....
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