The City of Light

The capital of France, Paris is a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. It has wide boulevards that crisscross the city and of course, the lovely River Seine dividing the city into two banks. It is well-known for landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral. Visitors to the city enjoy its sidewalk cafes and vibrant nightlife. 

The one landmark you cannot miss in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. This large structure can be seen from all points in the city. It is 300 meters tall and when it was completed at the end of the 19th century it was two times higher than the Washington Monument in the U.S., which at this time was the tallest structure in the world. Originally the Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World Exhibition, held in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. It was meant to stand only for the exhibition but since then has become the symbol of the City of Light. The man behind the construction of the Eiffel Tower is Gustave Eiffel. The tower took two years to complete during which time around 12,000 iron pieces were designed and then put together with about 7,000 nails. It was inaugurated on March 31, 1889, and was the tallest structure in the world until the Chrysler Building was built in New York City in 1930. Take a ride to the very top for a most fascinating bird’s eye view of Paris. 

Construction on the Notre Dame Cathedral began in 1163 and was built in the new Gothic style. This was the first cathedral to be built in a monumental scale and it became the prototype for future cathedrals in France. The cathedral was finally completed in 1345 and this huge impressive building is 128 meters long with two 69-meter tall towers. The spire over the crossing reaches 90 meters and it was added in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc. The Notre Dame Cathedral has several large rose windows of which the northern 13th-century window is the most interesting. 

Notre Dame’s frontal facade has three wide portals; above the portals is the Gallery of Kings – 28 statues of Judean Kings – and higher up are the famous gargoyles and grotesques. The fantastic eastern flying buttresses at the east side of the building are 15m wide. Unfortunately during the Revolution a great many of the cathedral’s sculptures, gargoyles and interior were removed or destroyed. Even the Gallery of Kings suffered much damage. Finally, in the 19th century, Notre Dame Cathedral was fully restored. Thanks can be given to writer Victor Hugo, who came out with his book, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and made all Parisians realize that this cathedral was worth saving. When Disney came out with their animated movie about Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame I’m sure a great many people visiting the cathedral could imagine him being up there inside with his many gargoyle friends ringing the bells of Notre Dame. 

Napoleon commissioned to have the Arc de Triomphe built in 1806 in commemoration of his victories. Napoleon wasn’t around to see its completion. The arc was completed during the reign of Louis-Philippe in 1836. It is engraved with the names of generals who commanded French troops during Napoleon’s regime. The design for the arch was created by Jean Chalgrin, who used the Arch of Titus in Rome, Italy as his inspiration. The Arc de Triomphe has the same dimensions but is much higher. It is adorned with many reliefs mostly commemorating the emperor’s battles. The relief, which is best known is the Departure of the Volunteers in 1792, also known as the Marseillaise. At the very top of the arch are thirty shields, each of which bears the name of one of Napoleon’s successful battles. Below the arch is the Grave of the Unknown Soldiers, honoring those who died during WWI. The Arc de Triomphe stands proudly at the end of the Champs-Elysees in the middle of Place Charles de Gaulle. From this large, circular square twelve streets stretch out all of them named after French military leaders. 

Head on up the 234 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for awesome views of La Defense, the Champs-Elysees and the Sacre-Coeur.

The Palace of Versailles is located in the town of Versailles some 20 kilometers from Paris. The Gondi family became rulers of Versailles in the 16th century at which time the future King Louis XIII came to visit and fell in love with this place. Ten years later he became the lord of Versailles. After his death came the reign of Louis XIV – The Sun King in 1662. He also took an interest in Versailles wanting to get away from the city. He hired architect Louis Le Vau to work with artist Charles Le Brun to make the Palace of Versailles into a Baroque masterpiece. Famed gardener Andre le Notre created the magnificent Versailles Garden. Many later additions to the palace included the northern and southern wings, the Orangerie, the Grand Trianon and the Royal Chapel. 

Rooms to be seen in the interior include The Hall of Mirrors. The main feature here is the seventeen mirrored arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows which look out onto the magnificent gardens. Each arch contains 21 mirrors. Along the walls are statues and busts. 



The Grand Apartment was originally called the Apartment of the Planets due to the fact that the seven salons of this apartment had a painting of a planet. Notable are the ceilings painted by artist Charles Le Brun with his assistants. ‘

The auditorium of The Royal Opera is made entirely from wood, making it one of the most acoustically “live” theaters in the world. It can seat over 700 people. Its decor features lots of gold, pink and green. The first time it was used was for the wedding ball of the future King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Among its interesting features is a unique mechanical system that raised the floor to the stage level. Today it is still used for concerts and operas. 





The Champs-Elysees is almost two kilometers long and seventy meters wide. The western end of the avenue is lined with cinemas, theaters, cafes and luxury shops. 

At the opposite end near the Place de la Concorde, you’ll find the Jardins des Champs-Elysees. These are beautifully designed gardens with fountains and such grand buildings as the Grand and Petit Palaces at the southern end and the Elysee Palace at the north end. The Elysee has been the residence of French Presidents since 1873.

The pond area is most popular as it includes nice lawns, paths and lovely flower beds all set in a geometrical pattern and enclosed by a balustrade. There are many statues in the park. People can grab onto one of the many chairs available and place it at the spot they find the most inspirational. The park is also a favorite among chess players and jeu de boules players. There is a tennis court, a music pavilion and an orangery.

Behind the orangery is the Musee du Luxembourg which is only open for temporary exhibitions. 

The parks also have many fountains of which the most famous is the Fountain Medicis, a romantic Baroque fountain designed in the early 17th century. Located at the end of a small pond on the northeast side of the park the fountain features a central sculpture group showing the Greek mythological figure of Polyphemus observing the lovers Acis and Galatea. It is flanked by allegorical figures depicting the Seine and Rhone Rivers. 

At the back of this fountain is the Fountain de Leda, created in 1806 with a relief showing the mythical scene with Leda and Zeus disguised as a swan. 

A third fountain honors French painter Eugene Delacroix and consists of a rectangular basin with six jets. In the very center is the bust of the painter. Sensual allegorical statues of Time, Glory and Genius stretch from a plinth towards the bust. 

At the south side of the park in an extension called the Jardins de l’Observatorie is The Fountain de l’Observatoire created by Davioud, Carpaux and Fremiet in 1873. The centerpiece of this fountain features a globe that is supported by four women each representing a continent.

All throughout the park are around seventy statues and monuments. Twenty of the statues are dedicated to French Queens. Other statues honor politicians, scientists, sculptors, painters, poets and composers. There are also statues featuring animals inspired by mythology. One thing that capture’s the visitors’ attention is a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty created by Auguste-Bartholdi. At the northern end of the park is the Luxembourg Palace where the French Senate sits. 

Enjoy the nightlife at the world-\ famous nightclub Moulin Rouge. It opened in 1889, but the original building burned down in 1915. It is enjoyed by both Parisians and tourists. It is the birthplace of one of the 20th century's best-known dances the can-can. At the Feerie Show, you can see 60 can-can dancers onstage. There is so much fun and entertainment you'll want to let the champagne flow. 



Galeries Lafayette is one of the most modern malls in the world. It has become one of the prime shopping destinations. It impresses with its wrought iron ceiling domes and latticed glasswork. There are many shops to enjoy and it is also a destination for foodies. 

Housed in a major train station the Musee d'Orsay is a world-leading art gallery. It offers Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork as well as decorative arts.

Sacre-Coeur Basilica is a huge Romano-Byzantine structure. It was commissioned in response to the defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Building started on the basilica in 1877 and was completed in 1919. It sits at the top of the hill of Montmartre.

Get fantastic views of the city from the 209-meter steel-and-glass Montparnasse Tower. A super-fast lift will take you up to the 56th floor with a display of aerial photos of Paris, a cafe, and a souvenir shop. A second lift will take you right up to the roof.

The Foundation Louis Vuitton has eleven galleries on the Bois de Boulogne. This amazing and impressive building is worth seeing. Here you'll find a rotating programme of shows by high-profile modern and contemporary artists. 

Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes offers a haven and housing for animals. Its inhabitants include vultures, monkeys, orangutans, ostriches, flamingos, a turtle, a panda, and spiders and snakes. There is a petting zoo for children. 

Aquarium de Paris is located in the neighborhood of Tracadero. Visitors enjoy the shark tunnel and there is a petting pool to get close to the animals. A section showcases the species of fish from the Seine.



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