%co%s4THE EIFFEL TOWER %c*%s* and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

This is the most famous monument in Paris.Don't hesitate to go to the top,300 metres and see the beautifuls views!!

The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England, opened the tower. Of the 700 proposals submitted in a design competition, Gustave Eiffel's was unanimously chosen.

However it was not accepted by all at first, and a petition of 300 names - including those of Maupassant, Emile Zola, Charles Garnier (architect of the Opéra Garnier), and Dumas the Younger - protested its construction.

At 300 metres (320.75m including antenna), and 7000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930. Other statistics include:

2.5 million rivets.
300 steel workers, and 2 years (1887-1889) to construct it.
Sway of at most 12 cm in high winds.
Height varies up to 15 cm depending on temperature.
15,000 iron pieces (excluding rivets).
40 tons of paint.
1652 steps to the top.

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Louvre: LOUVRE MUSEUM

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Updated by Hosell

on May 16, 2004

Louvre , foremost French museum of art, located in Paris. The building was a royal fortress and palace built by Philip II in the late 12th cent. In 1546 Pierre Lescot was commissioned by Francis I to erect a new building on the site of the Louvre. During his reign, several paintings by Leonardo, including the Mona Lisa, and works of other Italian masters came into the royal collections. In 1564, Catherine de' Medici commissioned Philibert Delorme to build a residence at the Tuileries and to connect it to the Louvre by a long gallery. The Grande Galerie was completed in 1606 under Henri IV.

While Cardinal Richelieu collected art with state funds, work on the buildings was continued under Louis XIII. Lescot's architectural designs were expanded by Jacques Lemercier in 1624, and under Louis XIV the magnificent colonnade was brought to completion (1670) by Louis Le Vau and Claude Perrault. In 1750 part of the royal collections was put on view in the Luxembourg palace. In 1793 the Musée Central des Arts was created by decree and the Grande Galerie of the Louvre was officially opened. For many years the area beneath the Grande Galerie served as artists' studios and workshops.

Napoleon I added vastly to its collections by his conquests, and in 1803 the museum was proclaimed the Musée Napoléon. Many famous works were returned after his downfall. The grand architectural scheme of the Louvre was completed by Napoleon III. The museum is famous for its enormous collection of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian antiquities, and for its superb old masters, a collection especially rich in works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian, and Leonardo. Its most famous sculptures include the Nike, or Victory, of Samothrace and the Venus of Milo. A part of the museum building houses the Museum of Decorative Arts, a private institution.

In 1984 excavations began for the gradual expansion of the Louvre.

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Invalides: LES INVALIDES

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Updated by Hosell

on Aug 30, 2005

Les Invalides Hotel is one of most beautiful and most known buildings in Paris,not just because here it is buried Napoleon. Behind it, in the court of honor, is the church and Dôme des Invalides. (1679–1706), the masterpiece of J. H. Mansart. Under the huge, yet seemingly weightless, dome are the tombs of Vauban, Turenne, Foch, and others. Don't miss a visit to Les Invalides during your stay in Paris!.

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Invalides: MAIN ENTRANCE

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Updated by Hosell

on May 16, 2004

This picture was taken at main entrance of LES INVALIDES.During early morning along the week you'll find many people on a line expecting to buy the entrance tickets to see the Invalides,a good idea can be go after lunch or first hour on afternoon.

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Invalides: AN OLD CANNON

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Updated by Hosell

on May 16, 2004

This is another picture taken at Les Invalides.A cannon at the main entrance.

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Notre Dame de Paris: NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL

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Updated by Hosell

on Aug 30, 2005

Notre-Dame de Paris , the cathedral church of Paris, a noble achievement of early Gothic architecture in France. It stands upon the Île de la Cité, a small island in the Seine. This construction laid in 1163 by Pope Alexander III. The high altar was consecrated 20 years later, and the nave was completed except for the roofing in 1196.There are also lots of nice and small chapel that worth a visit.
Notre Dame is one of most impressive Ghotic Cathdrals in Europe.

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Musée d'Orsay: MUSEÉ D'ORSAY

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Updated by Hosell

on Aug 30, 2005

Another good Museum not to be missed is Museé d'Orsay.

The Gare d'Orsay inaugurated for the Universal Exhibition on July 14,1900 was the first Parisian train station to have electric power.
In 1977,the station became a museum dedicated to the artistic creation of the 2nd half of the 19th century (1848-1914).
The interior design was created by Gae Aulenti.Is a beautiful and impressed building althought i haven't a pic of it!.

This is another place not to be missed during your time in Paris..

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La Défense: LA DEFENSE.

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Updated by Hosell

on May 16, 2004

This is: La Defense.A new Paris quarter with a very modern arquitecture.You can see here the big arch of La defense!!.It is a very nice place to walk and see all skyscrapers,also you will find some bars,restaurants and shops but not many because mostly of the buildings there are of offices and big companies.

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Place de la Concorde: PLACE DE LA CONCORDE

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Updated by Hosell

on May 16, 2004

In this picture,you can see the PLACE DE LA CONCORDE,
with the obelisque. This is another very touristic area of Paris.

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Eiffel Tower: EIFFEL TOWER

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Updated by Hosell

on May 16, 2004