On a recent visit to Paris I was delighted
to find how easy it was to get around the
city! In just a few short days we managed
to fit in most of what you see below
and even a show at the Moulin Rouge -
Fantastic! The Metro was easy to navigate
and cheap too, and all staff we
encountered were helpful and spoke very
good English. Driving through the city
streets is not for the faint hearted, as
it is often erratic! Lots of bumps in the
Renaults there!
If you are going to visit Paris and take
in the sights, be sure to bring your
walking shoes!
Don't Miss>>
The Eiffel Tour
Constructed for the 1889 International
Exhibition of Paris, an event that
commemorated the centenary of the French
Revolution, the Eiffel Tower is one of the
most enduring symbols of Paris. At over
984 feet, it was the world's tallest
building until 1930. Go right to the
top of this amazing structure, or just to
the first or second floor, the view is
equally good. A night-time visit is also
highly recommended.
Place de la Concorde
Between the Champs Élysées and the
Tuileries garden, Place de la Concorde, the
most splendid square in Paris, showcases a
massive Egyptian obelisk from the temple at
Luxor. The obelisk was a gift from the
Viceroy of Egypt to King Charles X in 1829.
Very wide and very busy streets make it a
little difficult to navigate, but is well
worth the stroll down the
Champs-Elysees.
Arc
de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées
Located
at the western end of the popular Champs Élysées,
the awesome Arc de Triomphe—the world's
largest triumphal arch—was commissioned by
Napoleon I to commemorate his victories.Climb
to the top of the Arc for a fine view of
the city and the Eiffel Tower, and
straight down the magnificent tree lined
Champs Elysees, a wonder of architectural
achievement.
La
Madeleine
Formerly a monumental tribute to
Napoleon's army, La
Madeleine—constructed to resemble a
Greek temple—also served as the first
railway station of Paris before it
became a church in 1842. This lovely
place of worship hosts free concerts.
Nôtre Dame
Cathedral
The world's most famous
cathedral, Nôtre Dame is home to two
huge rose windows and the famed
flying buttresses. The
cathedral's relics—the Crown of Thorns
and the Holy Nail of the
Cross are only available for viewing once a
year, on Good Friday.You may climb Notre
Dame also, up just 387 steps and see
the fearsome
gargoyles and many carvings throughout.
Monmarte
The
old village of Montmartre was home
to cubists Braque, Picasso, and Juan
Gris. Today you'll find throngs of
sidewalk artists in this picturesque
area, as well as intimate cafes, lovely
homes and gardens, and the nearby Moulin
Rouge cabaret.The magnificent Sacre-Coure
cathedral tops this hilly part of the
city, and is also worth a visit. The
Basilica was built to the glory of the "Holy Heart
of Jesus" to redeem the Nation's sins
after the 1870 bloodshed of the Commune of
Paris.
Check
out the Museums
and Art Galleries in Paris or
discover some more fabulous Places
to Visit
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Go2-Travel Limited 2003
