Basilica du Sacre Couer de Montmartre and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

One of my favorite places in all of Paris is the Basilica du Sacre Couer. It is quite breathtaking and peaceful and one of the most beautiful churches in Paris. The large white facade situated on a hill makes Sacre Couer visible from many angles throughout Paris.

Getting to the top of Sacre Couer is quite a feat with its steep incline. You can either walk to the top of the basilica or take the Funiculaire to the top which can be taken from the Abbesses metro station.

Definitely walk inside, climb the steps to the top of the basilica and visit the crypt.

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Phone: 01 53 41 89 19
Address: Parvis du Sacre-Couer - 75018
Directions: Montmartre
Website: http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com

This structure was made famous after Victor Hugo published 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'. The Cathedrale was designed by Maurice de Sully and erected between 1163 and 1345 and then restored by Viollet-Le-Duc. All road distances are calculated from the 'zero kilometer' point located on the square in front of Notre-Dame.

The cathedrale boasts a West Rose Window, South Rose Window, Galerie des chimeres, and the famous flying buttresses. There is no fee to visit the interior of the cathedrale, you can even stay awhile and listen to a service.

The cathedral towers are open daily and is a must for any visitor. Climb the 387 steps of the steeple where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the flying buttresses, Ile de la Cite, the spires and gargoles as well as the Emmanuel Bell which is the cathedrals largest bell.

There is an admission charge of 8 € for adults. For operating hours and more information about visiting the tower check out their webiste.


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Phone: 01 42 34 56 10
Address: 6, place du Parvis-de-Notre-Dame, 75004
Directions: Ile de la Cite
Website: www.cathedraledeparis.com
Other Contact: Only daily 7:45am - 6:45pm

The arch and the place Charles-de-Gaulle which surrounds it, together form one of Paris' most famous landmarks. Twelve avenues radiate from the arch which explains why it is also called place de l'Etoile (etoile=star).

The arch commemorates Nepolean's victories, evoking at the same time imperal glory and the fate of the Unknown Solider, whose tomb lies beneath. A remberance ceremony is held here every year on the 11th of November.

If you decide to climb to the top of the arch, you will be rewarded with some excellent views of the Champs Elysee and the Eiffel Tower. There is a small museum detailing construction of the arch as well as other significant information.

Currently the fee to visit the top of the Arc is 9€ for Adults, for more information about operating hours and group fees, check out their website.

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Address: Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile
Directions: Metro #1, #2 #6, RER A.
Website: http://arc-de-triomphe.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/

An iconic structure recognizable the world over and visible from anywhere in Paris its absolutely breathtaking!! No visit to Paris would be complete without scaling the heights for a bird's eye view of Montmartre and Sacre Couer, the Arc du Triomphe and Champs Elysees, Invalides, Champs du Mars below, Palais du Chaillot and not to mention the view of when the Trocadéro fountains are in full force.

Its quite spectacular, isn't it?

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Phone: 33 (0) 1 44 11 23 23
Address: Champ de Mars
Website: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

This beautiful structure with its ornate facad was a masterpiece of 19th century. It was designed by Charles Garnier for Napoleon III and inaugurated in 1875.

The interior of the opera boasts a "Grand Staircase" made of white marble with a balustrude of red and green marble and there is a five-tiered auditorium which is decorated in red velvet, gold leafing and cherubs. The ceiling was painted by Chagal and deserves special attention

Underneath the building is a small lake which inspired Paul Leroux's hiding place for "Phantom of the Opera".

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Phone: 01 40 01 22 63
Address: Place de l'Opera-75009
Website: www.operadeparis.fr
Other Contact: Open daily from 10:00 am - 4:30

A Gothic marvel, this church was erected in only 33 months on the behest of King Louis IX within his private palace to house the 'Crown of Thorns'.

The interior of the church is quite small but with breathtaking cathedral ceilings, stained glass windows in every nook with its gold lame walls that gives the church an amazing appearance.

There is a cover charge to enter the church which should only take about 1 hour the most to view the interior.

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Address: 4 Boulevard du Palais. Metro #4, Cite station.
Directions: Ile de la Cite
Website: http://sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/?fl_r=4

Le Louvre should be on everyone's list of places to see while in Paris. Here you will find the famous Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus di Milo and Michealangelo's "Dying Slave" to name a few.

I love visiting the Louvre and wandering its many wings. Because the museum is huge, I would advise that if you are limited in time, or can feel overwhelmed, just pick a wing with your interests and go explore. It is the best way to concentrate on just one era or exhibit without getting the overwhelming feeling you can get when you are faced with way too much.

Check out my travelogue for a few pics from Le Louvre.

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Address: Palais Royal
Directions: Musee de Louvre: Metro #7, Louvre-Rivoli: Metro #1
Website: http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en

Musee d'Orsay is one of my favorite museums here in Paris. It is located in the former Gare d'Orsay train station which was designed by Victor Lalous in 1900 for the Universal Exposition. The museum isn't overwhelming as the Louvre and you can easily visit all the major wings of the museum in just one visit.

The museum is devoted to mostly works of art produced between 1848 and 1914. There are many beautiful paintings, sculptures, pastels, furniture and art objects from some of the most famous artists of these times. like Degas, Renoir, Ache, Latour, Daumir, Courbet, Manet, Gauguin, Pissaro, Toulouse-Lautrec, Klimt Corot, Cezzane and Van Gogh.

Check out my travelogue for pics of the works found inside d'Orsay.

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Phone: 01 40 49 48 14
Address: 1, rue de la Legion-d'Honneur, 75007
Website: www.musee-orsay.fr

I enjoyed visiting this smaill museum originally built by a rich financier as the 'finest house in Paris' and which is now known as the Hotel Biron. I've done some research to find out more about this building and found out that this home was the residence of many artists such as Isadora Duncan, Cocteau, Matisse, Rilke and espeically Rodin.

While Rodin lived here he was at the peak of his glory and whose reputation actually saved the mansion from being demolished. After the government purchased the mansion in 1911 public favor was to make it a Rodin Museum.

In 1916 Rodin donated all his collections to the state and in 1919, two years after his death the museum opened to the public.

After you've viewed some of Rodin's famous sculptures take a walk around the beautiful gardens where you will find the The world famous "Thinker", "Gates of Hell", "Balzac", and "The Burghers of Calais".

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Phone: 01 44 18 61 10
Address: Hotel Biron; 77, rue de Varenne
Directions: Metro #13, Varenne Station.
Website: www.musee-rodin.fr

For those individuals who enjoy Picaso's works, you'll definitely want to visit the Musee Picaso. Picaso's heirs donated an outstanding collection of the artists' work (which is the collection housed here in the Hotel de Sale), in lieu of estate duties.

Along with over 200 paintings there are also sculptures, collages and more than 3000 drawings and carvings, 88 ceramics, as well as illustrated books and manuscripts and some of his private collection by his friends and contemporaries like Cezanne, Rousseau and Braque to name a few.

The musuem isn't large and you should be able to view visit in just a few hours.

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Phone: 01 42 71 25 21
Address: Hotel Sale; 5 rue de Thorigny
Directions: Metro #8 St. Sebastian-Froissart.
Website: www.musee-picaso.fr
Other Contact: Hours 9:30-5:15 (5:00 in winter)