Paris Things to Do Tips by cjg1

Grand Admiral Gaspard Coligny Statue Statues Review

During one of trips to Paris my wife had to find the Statue of Gaspard Coligny. Personally I had no idea who they guy was but my wife is a history nut. Admiral Coligny was a Hugenot when it was not popular to be a Protestant in "very" Catholic Paris. He was murdered during the famous Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre of 1572. His body was desecrated and hung up to rot for all to see. I learn something new every trip...

Address: Temple Protestant de l'Oratoire du Louvre

Monet Orangerie Review

My wife loves Monet and this is her favorite Museum in which to view his work. I have to say the canvases are quite impressive. The works are displayed in start white rooms which only makes the colors of the paint more vivid to the eye. I was also surprised at the sheer scale of the art. I never thought they were that big in reality until I stood next to them myself.

This is definitely a must see for a Monet fan or a fan of Impressionism.

Address: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris

Directions: End of Tuileries gardens, adjacent to Seine end of Place de la Concorde.

Phone: 01 44 77 80 07

Website: http://www.musee-orangerie.fr

So much to see Louvre Review

I think you could spend 365 days at the Louvre and not see everything inside to satisfaction; after all it is one of the largest museums in the world. The Louvre began as the Palace to the monarchy and was later converted to a museum in the late 1700's after the fall of the monarchy. The building itself and the surrounding grounds are quite nice...although not everyone likes the Pyramid (my wife personally thinks it ruins the building and I agree).

The museum has vast collections of artwork that range from paintings, sculpture, glasswork, tiles metal work, and more. A variety of time period s and cultures from around the world are represented there with over 300,000 works of art under one roof.

Directions: Métro: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre

Versailles Versailles Review

A trip to France is not complete until you have visited Versailles. Versailles is such a beautiful and grand place. The Palace is incredible in both size and in luxury. The history, artwork, the furnishings and the architecture is magnificent. The grounds with their statues and fountains are unbelievale. To think that this was once the home of Kings and Queens......what a life the Royalty lead.

From a Train Station to Museum Musée d'Orsay Review

Musée d'Orsay was once a railway station, the Gare d'Orsay. The Museum houses mainly French Art from 1848-1915. The museum features paintings, sculpture, furniture and photography. The sculpture in the museum is beautiful and the detail is incredible. They have many works by Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne, which we enjoyed. Liz is a big fan of impressionism so she loves any museum that has an extensive collection of her favorite impressionists.

The main hall definitely reminds me of a rail station. The glass roof of the center hall brings a nice amount of light into the building which creates a nice, open feel inside. We had an audio guide of the museum which I think is a great way to see a museum such as this. We were able to walk at our own pace and see what we wanted to see and fast-forward through what we wanted to skip.

Directions: Métro: line 12, Solférino station; RER: line C, Musée d'Orsay station

Website: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/

Can't miss it Arc de Triomphe Review

The Arc de Triomphe is another famous monument in Paris. The momument is located at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle at the end of the Champs-Élysées. The Arc was built to honor the people who fought and died in the Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Beneath the Arc is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

The most iconic images of the Arc is when the Nazis paraded past the arc after the surrender of Paris to Hilter and then later as the Allied forces marched down the Champs-Élysées after victory over Hitler. Two incredible moments; one of defeat and one of victory right beneath this grand monument.

Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile

Directions: Metro Line 1, 2, RER A : Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile

Napoleon's Tomb Napoléon Review

Basilique de St-Denis Basilique de Saint-Denis Review

Hotel de Ville Hotel de Ville Review

The Pantheon Panthéon Review

Address: Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris

Phone: 33 1 43 54 34 51