heart of the city and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

The history of Paris started at this island in the Seine. Also nowadays after the city spread out to both banks, Ile de la Cite can still be considered as the heart of the present metropole. Even the point zero of all the French roads lies at the Ile de la Cite. It's a bronze star in the pavement in front of the entrance of the Notre Dame.

The first settlement of the Parisii, Celtic hunters and fishermen, started at this island around the 3th century BC. It was called Lutetia. The Romans conquered the island in 52 BC. In 360 AD the name Lutetia changed in Paris.

At the Ile de la Cite you will find the Notre Dame, the Conciergerie, the Sainte Chapelle, the Palais de Justice, the Memorial des Martyrs de la Deportation. The Ile de la Cite is linked with both banks by the oldest bridge of Paris, the Pont Neuf.

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Address: Metro - Cite - line 4

The most important and striking building at the Ile de la Cite is the 'Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris'. At the same place at the Ile de la Cite also other churches were built before. There was even a Gallo-Roman Temple at this place some 2000 years ago.

The construction of the Notre Dame was started in 1163, when Pope Alexander III layed the first stone. The building was first completed after 170 years in the 14th century.

The cathedral became the perfect expression of French Gothic architecture.
At the same time it was also the ceremonial focus for the inhabitants of Paris and France for about seven centuries. All the important ceremonies in the history of the country took place in this cathedral.

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Phone: 0142345610
Address: Ile de la Cité, 6 place du Parvis Notre Dame
Directions: Metro: line 4 Cite

The Notre dame is a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture. The facade is the most striking part with its three entrances, decorated with sculptures. Each of the entrances has a slightly different shape. The wonderful rose windows are more than 700 year old. The one at the west facade of 10M wide is the most famous one.

The interior of the cathedral can house 9.000 people. The 35M high nave is divided from the choir by a wide transept with two splendid rose windows. The rose window at the north side didn't change since the 13th century. In the southeast part of the transept is the treasury, holding manuscripts, art works and liturgical objects.

Opening hours of the cathedral:
8am till 6.45pm, at saturdays and sundays one hour longer till 7.45pm.

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Phone: 0142345610
Address: Ile de la Cité, 6 Place du Parvis Notre Dame
Directions: Metro: line 4 Cité

Paris is famous because of its historical buildings and architecture, but Paris is also a multicultural and divers city with striking modern architecture. In Paris I eat Lebanese, go to the African markets or visit the teahouse at the mosque of Paris.

One of the most unique modern buildings in the heart of Paris, just south east of the Notre Dame, is the 'Institut du Monde Arabe'. In fact you have a splendid view at the Ile de la Cité and the Notre Dame from its rooftop.

The institut du Monde Arabe is built in the 80s in a cooperation between France and 19 Arab States with the aim to increase the cultural exchange between France and the Arab world.

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Phone: 01 40513838
Address: Rue de Fossés-St Bernard 1
Directions: Metro: line 7 Jussieu or line 10 Cardinal-Lemoine

The most striking part of the Institut du Monde Arabe is its south wall. This wall has 1600 metal screens, which react at the sunlight like the diaphragms of a camera to regulate the amount of light.

The building is designed by Jean Nouvel. The design of the metal screens is based on the wooden wire fences of the Islamic architecture. It's very inspiring to see how this traditional form of architecture is transfomed into a modern outfit.

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Phone: 01 40513838
Address: Rue de Fossés St. Bernard
Directions: Metro: line 7 Jussieu or line 10 Cardinal-Lemoine

It is possible to visit the Institut du Monde Arabe. Look at the playing of the light through the metal screens. At one hand it looks really high-tech, but at the other hand it gives also the same play of light, I saw in Islamic buildings in Arab countries.

Inside you can also find a studycentre, a library, a bookshop and a museum. The museum is at the 7th floor. The exhibitions in the museum show the Arab history of civilisation from the 9th century. At my first visit there was an interesting exhibition about Yemen.

Opening hours: 1pm-6pm
Closed at mondays.

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Phone: 01 40513838
Address: Rue de Fossés St-Bernard
Directions: Metro: line 7 Jussieu or line 10 Cardinal- Lemoine

When you visit the Institut du Monde Arabe it's interesting to have a close look at the metal screens of the south wall from the inside.

If you are lucky and have enough patience, you can see the moving of the screens like a diaphragm, at the moment the outside light changes. Especially at days, when the sun disappears behind the clouds and comes back, you are sure to notice it.

Don't forget to go upstairs to the cafetaria at the 9th floor. From here you have splendid views at the Seine and the Ile de la Cité with the Notre Dame.

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Phone: 01 40513838
Address: Rue de Fossés St-Bernard
Directions: At the southbank of the Seine opposite the Ile St Louis.
Metro: line 7 Jussieu or line 10 Cardinal- Lemoine

The Pantheon is a giant domed monument and landmark, that you can see from far, rising high above Quartier Latin.

In 1744 after an illness Louis XV directed to build a church ressembling the panth?on in Rome. This church of St Genevieve was completed in 1790. Later in 1791 the church is converted into a mausoleum for the great men of the era of French liberty.

The Pantheon is a good example of the 18th century neoclassic architecture. Underneath the high dome you see a circle of elegant columns.

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Phone: 01 43 54 34 51
Address: Place du Pantheon, 75005 Paris
Directions: Metro: Luxembourg

Daily you can visit the interior of the Panth?on. In 1791 the 42 windows were bricked up. The walls were decorated by Puvis Chavannes with scenes of the life of St Genevi?ve and paintings of other artists of the 19th century. You can climb the stairs and make a walk just below the dome.

A must see inside the Pantheon is the pendulum of Foucault. In 1851 the scientist Jean Foucault proved at this place, that the earth turns around its axis.

Visiting hours:
daily from 9.30am to 6.30pm in summer (Apr-Sep) and from 10am to 6.15pm in winter (Oct-Mar).

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Phone: 01 43 54 34 51
Address: Place du Pantheon, 75005 Paris
Directions: Metro: Luxembourg

In the interior of the Panthéon you find besides frescoes, paintings and the pendulum also sculptures.

If you go downstairs into the crypt, you will be surprised by its huge size. The crypt has 77 permanent famous residents like Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Émile Zola and Marie Curie.

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Phone: 01 43 54 34 51
Address: Place du Pantheon, 75005 Paris
Directions: Metro: Luxembourg