- Where did Lutetia begin?
- The Louvre is the most famous museum in Paris
- Such different museums
- Shopping in Paris
- Observation Decks
- Night Paris
There is not a single traveler who would not dream of visiting Paris. And there is not a single tourist who returned from Paris and remained indifferent to this city. Some fall in love with Paris once and for all and look forward to their next trip to the French capital. Others snort contemptuously when asked about Paris and talk about its shortcomings. But none of them are neutral.
The question "Where to go in Paris?" worries many travelers. You can draw up a plan of your movements and follow it exactly. It certainly needs to include visits to iconic attractions: the Louvre, Notre Dame de Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Or you can surrender to chance and just go for a walk, exploring one Parisian district after another. Then the city itself will lead to an old house, in which some historical figure once lived, or to a shady square where the musketeers walked.
You can slowly walk along the embankment, stopping at second-hand booksellers' shops, where incredible treasures are kept: old postcards with views of Paris, watercolors by unknown masters written several decades ago, magazines with portraits of movie actors. You can feed the birds in the Luxembourg Gardens or bask in the sun in the Tuileries Gardens. You can have breakfast in a cafe overlooking the Seine. And with each such action, more and more to fall in love with the most beautiful city on Earth - Paris!
Where did Lutetia begin?
Notre Dame de Paris
The heart of old Paris, which many centuries ago was called Lutetia, is the island of Cité, the name of which is translated very simply - "City". It is safe to say that it was here that the first buildings of the future Paris appeared. In the past, the island was surrounded by high walls, of which nothing remains now. Cité is home to one of the main symbols of Paris, which is definitely worth a visit. This is Notre Dame Cathedral - Notre Dame de Paris.
According to historical evidence, the site of this magnificent cathedral in the past was the sanctuary of Jupiter. The Christian temple was built here in the second half of the 12th century. Major historical events took place in the shadow of this Gothic cathedral. Here Napoleon Bonaparte was blessed for the reign, here many French kings and members of their families were married, including the notorious Queen Margot.
Many books have been written about Notre Dame Cathedral, which tell the various legends associated with it. For example, that the decorations and locks of the main gate of Notre Dame were created with the help of the devil. They could only be opened thanks to holy water. Another mystery of the temple is associated with a huge Gothic rose window above the main portal. An attentive observer will notice that the zodiacal circle depicted on the window begins with the sign of Pisces, and not Aries, as is customary in astrology.
Notre Dame de Paris can be visited free of charge. The ticket is only required to climb the north tower of the temple. It is there that you can take close pictures of the famous chimeras that adorn the cathedral.
Another attraction of the Island of Cité is the Sainte-Chapelle chapel, that is, the Holy Chapel. The queue to this small temple may be even longer than to the Eiffel Tower. Therefore, it is worthwhile to tune in to a long wait in advance. The chapel is famous for its magnificent stained-glass windows, partly preserved from the 13th century.
It would also be nice to visit the Ver-Galan square behind the New Bridge with a statue of King Henry IV. Now it is a nice green corner with benches, and in the XIV century there was a place for executions. It was here that the Grand Master of the Templars, Jacques de Molay, found his death at the stake.
The Louvre is the most famous museum in Paris
Louvre
A stone's throw from the Isle of Cité is the former royal castle Louvre, now turned into a museum. One of the most famous palaces in the world began with a high defensive tower built in 1190. Charles V turned a powerful fortress into a royal residence. Before him, all the rulers of France lived on the island of Cité. In 1380, Charles V died, and his heirs left the inhospitable tower, of little use for life. It was turned into a place for keeping the royal treasury. Only in the middle of the 16th century began the construction of the Renaissance palace. The royal family moved to the Louvre after the death of Henry II. In the following decades, the palace was rebuilt and expanded. The first art exhibition opened in the palace during the French Revolution.
In the courtyard of the Louvre, there is a glass pyramid built in the 1980s by Yo Ming Pei, through which most tourists enter the museum. An escalator leads down to the lobby with cash desks. The second entrance to the Louvre is located directly at the Louvre Museum metro station. A plan of the palace can be obtained from the museum's information desk in order to plan your route. What can you see in the museum?
The Louvre exhibition, located in the three wings of the palace, is divided into seven sections called departments. Here you can see paintings, including the masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci "Mona Lisa"; a selection of sculptures, among which the statues of Venus de Milo and Nika of Samothrace stand out; collection of graphics; decorative art items; artifacts of the Ancient East, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
During the construction of the pyramid, the remains of a medieval palace were found. Now these excavations have become part of the museum's exposition.
Such different museums
Orsay Museum
Next to the Louvre, in the Tuileries garden, in the former greenhouse, now there is one of the most interesting museums in Paris - the Orangerie Museum. Here are the works of famous artists of the XIX-XX centuries: Cezanne, Monet, Renoir, Picasso and others. At the ticket office of this museum, you can buy a complex ticket that allows you to visit the Orsay Museum, which displays a magnificent collection of French painting from 1848-1914.
The Musée d'Orsay is located in an old train station on the left bank of the Seine, which can be reached via the Pont de la Concorde. There is a city beach near the bridge on the embankment. An interesting detail: if a tourist is not yet 25 years old, then he can visit these two museums for free.
In principle, you can spend a good time in Paris, even if you are on a limited budget. For example, in the Marais quarter, there is a free Carnavale museum dedicated to the history of the city. Here are collected historical artifacts from the times of the Gauls and Romans, objects of the Middle Ages are widely represented, details of the decor of old houses (grilles, signs) are collected. The huge layout of the island of Site also evokes admiration.
Another museum that cannot be missed while on holiday in Paris is the Rodin Museum, located in the Les Invalides area. Here, in the former mansion of Marshal Biron, the studio of the sculptor Auguste Rodin was once located, and now his works are displayed: sculptures, sketches. In the garden of the museum you can see the most famous creation of the master - the original statue "The Thinker". The museum is open every day except Monday.
Shopping in Paris
Galeries Lafayette
Paris is recognized as the capital of fashion. It is here that fashionistas and fashionistas from all over the world come to renew their wardrobe. Fashion boutiques are located on the Champs Elysees and in numerous shopping malls. One of them is the famous Galeries Lafayette, which is located next to the Parisian Grand Opera. This shopping center celebrated its centenary in 2012. It does not at all resemble modern shopping and entertainment huge stores, where everything is covered with advertising posters. The classic decor plays the role of a time machine and as if transports visitors to the beginning of the last century. The multi-storey building is crowned with a transparent roof.
The favorite entertainment of tourists in the "Galeries Lafayette" is to climb under the dome and take from there spectacular pictures of the realm of fashion located below. Six floors of the gallery are occupied by shops selling everything for women, four floors are dedicated to boutiques selling products for men, and a few more floors are reserved for goods for children. Here you can also buy perfumes for every taste.
The old passages are also considered wonderful places for shopping. In general, in past centuries, there were about 240 passages in Paris. In our time, only a few dozen have survived. Three such passages can be found in the Palais Royal area:
- The Vivienne Gallery, erected in 1826, is famous not only for the variety of goods sold here, but also for the fact that in it, in room 13, a spiral staircase has been preserved - a detail of the mansion of François Vidocq, a famous private detective of the 19th century;
- Colbert Gallery, named after the now destroyed Colbert mansion. There are many bookstores in it. The famous beer restaurant "Le Grand Colbert" also operates here;
- Choiseul Passage. In its corridor, you can see an old sign that says that there is an entrance to the Buff-Parisienne theater, which operated in the second half of the 19th century. Clothes are sold in a 190 meter long arcade. People come here for vintage outfits and accessories.
Observation Decks
View of La Defense
A rare tourist, having arrived in the capital of France, will refuse the opportunity to look at it from a bird's eye view. There are several observation decks in Paris.
One of them is located on the Arc de Triomphe - a monument on the Place Charles de Gaulle, otherwise called from old memory the Place of the Stars, against which, perhaps, the most famous street in Paris - Champs Elysees rests. In the 18th century, it was planned to build a large elephant or a pyramid on the site of the arch. But the city authorities nevertheless settled on the project of the Arc de Triomphe, the foundation stone of which was laid by Napoleon Bonaparte himself in 1806. The arch was a monument glorifying his victory over the centuries. This monument was built for a long time and was completed only in 1836. You can climb to the observation deck using the stairs in the northern pylon. A magnificent panorama of the Champs Elysees opens from the top of the arch. The Arc de Triomphe also houses a museum dedicated to the history of this building.
The second on our list, but the first most popular observation deck is located on the third floor of the Eiffel Tower, where everyone is taken by an elevator. The queue of tourists who dream of climbing the tower, which has long become the hallmark of Paris, is always long. If the traveler stands for two hours in a crowd of the same suffering, he will be rewarded with an amazing view of Paris and the Seine from a great height. By the way, experienced tourists recommend not to climb to the third level, but to stop at the second: there is a better view from there.
Night Paris
Moulin rouge
In the capital of France, there are many places where you can enjoy a few evening hours, enjoying the extravaganza of music and light.
The most popular Parisian club "Moulin Rouge" is located in Montmartre - in the area of sex shops, small cinemas where erotic films are shown, and cafes, many of which were visited in the past by famous artists and artists. Moulin Rouge is the realm of a fun, crazy cancan. Entrance fees are exorbitant here. The concert program at the Moulin Rouge is constantly updated, so this cabaret can be visited on every trip to Paris.
Competition "Moulin Rouge" is the variety "Lido", located on the Champs Elysees. Here, for the first time in the world, the "dinner + show" scheme was introduced. The Lido music hall has a capacity of 1150 people, which is much more than in the Moulin Rouge. Local performances are a unique mix of dancing, ice shows, circus acts. The show is accompanied by music performed by a live orchestra. The entrance fee ranges from 90 to 100 euros. There are three performances every day: at 19:00, 21:30, 23:30.
There are also nightclubs in Paris. One of the most famous nightlife venues is the Le Cab restaurant, which is located on the Palais Royal square. There is strict face control here, but if you pass it, you have an excellent opportunity to meet various celebrities - regulars of this club. The entrance fee is low here, and drinks are quite cheap - about 15 euros for a cocktail.
