Notre Dame: The Center of Paris and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

Paris began as a small village on L'Ile de la Cite, an island in the Seine River. It was a natural defensive point, settled by a Celtic tribe called the Parisii. In 52 BC, the Romans under Julius Caesar occupied this town. They named it Lutetia. Later on, barbarian invasions forced the people to retreat to L'Ile de la Cite. The Vikings laid siege to it in the 9th century, but never took the island.

So this has always been the city's center. And it was here that Maurice de Sully, bishop of Paris, began the construction of Notre Dame (Our Lady), the city's cathedral, in the 12th century. Built on the site of St Stephen's Cathedral, the main structure was completed about 1250. Many small modifications have been made since.

Notre Dame is one of the most famous and recognizable houses of worship in the world. Its exquisite carvings, stained-glass windows, huge flying buttresses, and menacing gargoyles exemplify gothic cathedral art and architecture at their finest. The view from up top is one of the best.

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Phone: 33 (0)1 42 34 56 10
Address: Place du parvis de Notre Dame , 75004
Directions: Métro: Cité; RER: Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint Michel-Notre Dame.
Website: http://www.notredamedeparis.fr

La Sainte-Chapelle was designed by Pierre de Montereau for King Louis IX (Saint Louis), and consecrated in 1248. This stands as one of the finest, most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture. The stained-glass windows are so incredible, they don't seem quite real. This is the perfect place to visit before or after Notre Dame.

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Phone: 01 53 73 78 50
Address: Boulevard du Palais
Directions: Sainte-Chapelle is inside the Palais of Justice on L'Ile de la Cité--a few minutes walk from Notre Dame. Métro : Cité, Staint-Michel, or Châtelet. RER: Chatelet -Les-Halles, Saint-Michel.
Website: http://www.pbase.com/francist/chap&page=all

I've toured many outstanding art museums, but this one takes the cake. The Louvre is the world's greatest. It has more examples of all kinds of art than any other museum. Its collection of Renaissance art is unrivalled. This includes "La Jaconde", known in English as the Mona Lisa. You need to allow at least several hours to see this.

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Phone: (33) 01 40 20 50 50
Address: Musée du Louvre 75058 Paris Cedex 01
Directions: Métro: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre
Website: http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp
Other Contact: (33) 01 40 20 54 52 fax

In 1744, King Louis XV recovered from a serious illness. In his gratitude, he commissioned architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot to construct a new church on the left bank, in honor of Sainte Genevieve. Following Soufflot's death, his protege Rondelet continued the work. It was completed in 1789--just in time for the Revolution.

After the overthrow of the monarcy, Le Pantheon became the France's Hall of Fame. Here are the tombs and memorials to France's great men and their deeds. Here are the tombs of Voltaire, Rousseau, Zola, and other great writers. Also interred here are the remains of World War II resistance hero Jean Moulin.

The building itself is an outstanding example of neo-classical architecture, with massive Corinthian columns and a huge dome. Not to be missed.

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Phone: 33 1 43 54 34 51
Address: Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris
Directions: On the left bank, near Saint-Michel. Metro: Cardinal Lemoine. RER: Luxembourg. Bus: 84, 89.
Website: http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Pantheon/

In keeping with Roman traditions, Napoleon commissioned this huge arch, the largest triumphal arch in the world, in 1806. Designed by Jean François Thérèse Chalgrin (1739-1811), it was completed 30 years later, under Louis Philippe.

At its base is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which commemorates the French dead from the World Wars. Around the base are inscribed the names of French generals in military victories. Four huge relief sculptures adorn the great pillars.

The view from the top, 164 feet up, is awesome. One can see La Defense, the Champs-Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, and nearly all the other sights in the city.

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Phone: 01-55-37-73-77
Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile
Directions: Metro Line 1, 2, RER A : Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile. It's a the top end of the Champs-Elysees.
Website: http://arc-de-triomphe.monuments-nationaux.fr

Gustav Eiffel designed this tower to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the French Revolution, in 1889. It was part of the Universal Exposition, and intended to be temporary. But it became such a popular attraction that it was left standing permanently. Standing 274 meters (899 feet), it was the world's tallest structure until the Empire State Building was completed in New York.

At the time, many Parisians objected to leaving it up, commenting on how ugly it was and how it clashed with the city's classical, medieval, and Renaissance buildings. But it has come to symbolize Paris, and even France itself. It remains the city's most recognized structure.

You just have to see the city from the summit. It's unforgettable.

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Phone: 33 (0) 1 44 11 23 23
Address: 5 Ave Anatole France, Champs de Mars 75007
Directions: You can't miss it. It's on the Left Bank, near Les Invalides.
Website: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, two Parisian businessmen, Alexandre Legentil and Rouhault de Fleury, vowed to build a new church if Paris was spared. In their gratitude (even though France lost the war), they financed this huge basilica. Work began in 1875, but was delayed by World War I. It was consecrated in 1919.

Instead of the neo-classical or Gothic design, they opted for a more Eastern or Byzantine style. This, and the white marble of its construction, make Sacre Coeur (which means sacred heart of Jesus) stand out. Its dome is the second-highest point in the city, after the Eiffel Tower.

Photography is allowed inside the crypt, but not on the upper level. The hike up to the basilica is moderately strenuous.

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Phone: 33 1 53 41 89 00
Address: 35, RUE DU CHEVALIER-DE-LA-BARRE 75018
Directions: On the Right Bank, atop the hill overlooking Montmartre.
Website: http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/
Other Contact: basilique@sacre-coeur-montmartre

In 1806, following his great victory over the Austrians and Russians at Austerlitz, Napoleon began commissioning great monuments to himself and his Grande Armee. One of them was the Madeleine.

Pierre-Alexandre Barthélémy Vignon (1763-1828) designed this monument to the Army, in neo-classical style. Looking like the Parthenon in Athens, this massive structure was completed after Napoleon's downfall. King Louis XVIII decreed that it would be a church. And so it was consecrated in 1842.

The interior is incredibly beautiful, but no photos are allowed inside.

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Address: Place de la Madeleine and Rue Royale
Directions: On the Right Bank, a few blocks north of La Place de la Concorde, and just west of the Place de la Vendome. Metro #12 stop Madeleine.

In 1670, King Louis XIV has this place built as a home for France's wounded soldiers. Designed by Libéral Bruant, it was completed in 1676. Today, it houses France's premier military museum. It has exhibits on the country's long military history from the Middle Ages through the World Wars.

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Phone: 33 (0)1 44 42 38 77
Address: 129 rue de Grenelle, 75700 PARIS 07 SP
Directions: On the Left Bank, just north of the Eiffel Tower. Metro: Varenne or Latour-Maubourg. Bus: 28, 49, 63, 82, 83, 87, 92.
Website: http://www.invalides.org/
Other Contact: accueil-ma@invalides.org

Next to the Army Museum is this elaborate domed church. Begun in 1676 on the orders of King Louis XIV, it was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The dome was begun in 1706. This is one of the finest works of 17th century architecture anywhere.

Inside are the tombs of Napoleon and other French generals such as Turenne and Vauban. There are also monuments to the French troops who fell in the country's wars.

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Address: Esplanade des Invalides , 75007 Paris
Directions: On the Left Bank, near the Eiffel Tower. Metro: Varenne. Bus: 28, 49, 63, 69, 82, 83, 87, 92.
Website: http://www.paris.org/Musees/Invalides/