- Most famous place: Eiffel Tower
- Highest point: Montmartre hill
- Oldest Restaurant: La Tour D'Argent (Silver Tower)
- The most fashionable quarter: Opera
- Largest cultural center: Pompidou
- Largest park: La Villette
- Most Romantic Place: Wall of Love
- Most Beautiful Gothic Church: Saint-Eustache
Paris is an amazing city that combines a rich historical past, the richest world heritage, colorful architecture and an atmosphere unlike anything else. This is one of those cities in Europe that you should definitely visit at least once in your life.
It was here that world history took place against the background of the Great French Revolution, here Dumas, Moliere and Saint-Exupery wrote their masterpieces, it was in Paris that fashion originated in the workshops of Chanel and Dior. And this is only a small part of all that this beautiful city gave to the world. If you are going on a tour to Paris, it is important to know a few places that you simply must visit. If you do not visit there, you will not visit Paris!
Most famous place: Eiffel Tower
Undoubtedly, this symbol of Paris is on everyone's lips. Even if you have never been to this city, you know exactly what the tower looks like. It was created by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 for the centenary of the French Revolution. The tower was built in 2 years by 300 workers! After its construction, many criticized the Eiffel, and the tower was called "an ugly skeleton." However, in just two years more than 2 million visitors came to see the "iron lady". Now it is the most popular attraction in all of France. For forty years, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world at 324 meters.
Highest point: Montmartre hill
Many people consider the Eiffel Tower to be the tallest place in Paris, but this is not the case. The Municipal District of Montmartre is even higher. From there, you can easily see the tower and the whole city, which opens up in full view. The highest point of Montmartre is the beautiful Sacre Coeur Basilica, at the very top of the hill. The name translated from Latin Mons Martyrium means "mountain of martyrs". To get to the very top, you have to go through several stairs and sidewalks, but at the end of the path you will understand that it was worth it. All corners of Montmartre are very picturesque and retain a special atmosphere of creativity: here artists paint their pictures right on the streets, musicians play in whole groups, many cozy cafes and cabarets. It was here in 2001 that the famous film "Amelie" was filmed. Montmartre is a completely different, not typical Paris. Advice: do not leave too early, but be sure to watch the sunset; in the rays of the setting sun, the view of the whole city is simply fantastic.
Oldest Restaurant: La Tour D'Argent (Silver Tower)
This establishment is already 435 years old! It was first mentioned in 1582. Henry III himself and his retinue dined here more than once. If you are here, be sure to try the signature dish of pressed duck, the hallmark of this place is Сanard au sang. The Silver Tower also pleases with its magical view from the window: you can dine in a historic atmosphere, admiring the Seine and Notre Dame Cathedral. La Tour D'Argent is not only the oldest restaurant in all of France, but also one of the most traditional and prestigious, with exquisite light cuisine and its own wine cellar. Just think: over 450 bottles of wine are stored in the cellars of the mid-19th century! This is a real living wine museum.
The most fashionable quarter: Opera
This place can rightfully be considered the pinnacle of Parisian shopping. The 9th quarter of Paris called Opera is 30 thousand square meters of boutiques, shops, galleries and it is here that you risk leaving all your funds. Therefore, we advise you not to plan walks around the Opera at the very beginning of your trip. It's really easy to go into a shopping trance here. Galeries Lafayette is a true gem of the Opera. Here you will find everything your heart desires: the most iconic global brands and creations of young novice designers, a wide variety of exhibitions and sales. At your service are Russian-speaking staff who will always be able to advise you. By the way, the Opera also has cultural attractions: the Grevin wax museum, the Holy Trinity Church and the Folies Bergère cabaret. But nevertheless, it is worth going here for shopping. Better time, it flies into the shopping abode unnoticed.
Largest cultural center: Pompidou
The largest cultural center not only in Paris, but throughout Europe. It was opened on the initiative of Georges Pompidou in 1977 to study and develop contemporary art. Here you can see the Center for Contemporary Art, various exhibition halls, a library and the Institute for Research and Coordination of Acoustics and Music. It is the third most popular tourist attraction in Paris, after the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. The authorship of the project belongs to Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. They designed the building in such a way that all communications (namely elevators, escalators, pipelines and fittings) are located outside, which frees up more space for the cultural space inside. Be sure to check out this architectural monster.
Largest park: La Villette
The numbers speak for themselves: 55 hectares, and 35 of them are green spaces. But this is not just a park with trees and flowers, but a whole cultural and public space stretching from north to south. There used to be slaughterhouses in this place, but in the 1980s Bernard Chumi put his imagination and hands to create something more there. Now La Villette has its own science museum and IMAX cinema "Geode" with a huge glass ball on the roof, as well as concert venues for a variety of events. In the park, you can simply stroll along the wide gallery that crosses the Urk Canal, or go rollerblading, watch a movie or theatrical performance in the open air, visit an exhibition - a variety of choices for a leisurely cultural holiday side by side with nature.
Most Romantic Place: Wall of Love
Again, you might think it must be the Eiffel Tower, but no. The Wall of Love is a relatively young landmark in Paris: it appeared in 2000 in Montmartre. Artists Daniel Boulogne, Frederic Baron and Claire Quito have decorated more than 40 square meters of walls with declarations of love, in more than 300 languages of the world! Even a blind person can read the three main words - they are laid out in Braille. Every year on February 14, white doves are released into the sky near the wall, as a symbol of eternal love. Many lovers visit this place and make a wish. To do this, you just need to find an inscription in your native language, put your hands on it and think about the most important things.
Most Beautiful Gothic Church: Saint-Eustache
The beauty of the Church of Saint-Eustache in the first arrondissement of Paris is not inferior to the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame. To make sure of this, be sure to go inside: the entrance is free. You will be amazed by the architectural scale: the high ceilings go into infinity with arches, the huge windows are decorated with Gothic mosaics, the interior is decorated with sculptures and frescoes, and there is also the largest organ in all of France in the center. He really comes across as a giant. All the inner content of Sainte-Estage takes you to the distant Middle Ages, because the history of the church begins in 1532. On Sundays, you can listen to choral concerts and organ music.
