Paris
Discover Paris in the Île de France
Paris, the capital of France is also the cultural capital of the world and known as the city of love. “She” was Built on the River Seine which divides Paris into two district areas, the Left Bank (la Rive Gauche) to the South and Right Bank to the North.
Along the Right Bank (Rive Droite) you’ll find extravagant bridges, or “ponts” linking the smart Île-Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité (home of Notre Dame) to the mainland.
The Stone quays offer peace and relaxation from the hustle and bustle of the city. Paintings displayed by artists and les "Bouquinistes", the book stalls on the riverbanks make for a perfect afternoons browsing.
Hello France recommends you visit
Arc de Triomphe - Built by Napoléon to celebrate numerous military triumphs, the Arc de Triomphe is a dominant structure on the Champs Élisées completed in 1836. Every evening the eternal flame is lit at the tomb of the “Soldat Inconnu”, the Unknown Soldier), which was placed under the Arch in 1920 to commemorate the dead of the World War I.
Champs Élisées – Originally a marsh this large tree-lined avenue was developed in 1667 and has become the most famous and popular thoroughfare in Paris. Sip a sancerre in one of the street side “cafés” and watch the world go by.
Eiffel Tower – Designed by Gustave Eiffel and built for the universal exhibition of 1889 to commemorate the centennial of the revolution, the “Tour Eiffel” stands at 1051 feet high and offers stunning views of Paris. It also houses a restaurant where you can enjoy superb cuisine while surveying Paris from the sky.
Sacré Coeur – This is one of the most important Catholic buildings in France. Its white domes dominate the northern skyline of Paris and from its situation on a hilltop you will see some of the most magnificent views of the city. The Sacré Coeur was built as a result of a vow made by two wealthy “Parisiens” who promised to construct such a building should France survive the Franco Prussian War.
Moulin Rouge – The inspiration for the movie directed by Baz Luhrmann of the same name (with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor) comes from here. This famous music hall dates back to the turn of the last century and is famous for its French Can-Can shows.
Musée du Louvre – The Louvre houses some of the most celebrated works of art including the Mona Lisa. To protect the people of Paris from enemy raids it was built by Philippe-Auguste in 1190 as a fortress and was later converted into the museum that we know of today.
Notre Dame – The Notre Dame Cathedral on the River Seine dates back to the 12th century when construction began. Architects have continued to work through the centuries to provide us with the cathedral as we know it today.
Château de Versailles – Take a train to the Palais de Versailles for a day to remember. Construction began during the reign of Louis XIV called “le Roi Soleil” in 1668 with numerous additions through the centuries. Visit the Chapelle Royale, Hall of Mirrors, La Galerie des Batailles, Salon d’Apollon, Salon de Vénus or Marie-Antoinette’s bedroom. In the beautiful gardens made by André Le Nôtre see the Fountain of latona, Fountain of Neptune, the Grand Canal (as in Venice), the Orangerie, the Grand Trianon and more…
Disneyland Paris – A short train ride from the centre of Paris will take you to Disneyland, a must for families with young children. As there is a vast variety of entertainment for people of all ages we recommend visits of a two-day minimum.
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