Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris and likely the most recognizable landmark of the city. It was built by Gustave Eiffel for the World Exhibition of 1889 and it was never meant to be a permanent addition to the city's skyline. Initially the artists and writers of Paris expressed their strong disapproval in regards to the tower but later generations commended it. The figures are impressive (like the fact that it weights 7000 tons) but forget about them and try to enjoy the sight (you'll forget the numbers soon but you'll always remember the tower's profile on the Paris sky). Everyone wants to visit this landmark so expect the lines to be long (or arrive there early).

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Address: Trocadero
Directions: You can't miss it!!!

Located by the Seine on Ile de la Cite, La Conciergerie was originally part of the Royal Palace. It first became a prison at the end of the 14th century and today it is better known for the role it played during the French Revolution (18th century) when it housed over 4000 prisoners including Danton, Robespierre and even Marie-Antoinette. From here people (including the three mentioned above) were being sent to the guillotine. The name of the building comes from the superintendent of the palace (concierge) which was in charge of renting out shops and gathering taxes. Some highlights not to be missed include the impressive Salle des Gens d'Armes (Room of the People at Arms) a vast Gothic room that was used as a banqueting hall and Marie Antoinette's cell.

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Address: 1 Quai de l'Horloge

Musee d'Orsay opened in 1986 in a beautiful building which served as a train station until 1960's. The museum is devoted to the period dating from 1848 to 1914 providing a bridge between the classical Louvre and the modern Centre Pompidou. The main attraction of the museum are the Impressionists with numerous paintings by Renoir, Monet, Manet (which is considered a class of its own), Pissarro, Sisley. Included here are also the post-Impressionist Cezanne, Degas and Vincent Van Gogh. I enjoyed a lot my visit here; the collection of Impressionist art is truly impressive and Musee d'Orsay is one attraction of Paris that is well worth a visit.

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Address: 1 Rue de Bellechase
Website: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/

The Louvre is the world's largest museum and one of the world's greatest art collections in the world. The palace stretches for about half mile between the Seine and rue de Rivoli. It was originally a fortress built by Philippe-Auguste in the 13th century. 300 years later Francois I replaced it with a Renaissance style building. Many French kings continued to add to the construction and improve it. Some of the kings used it as their residence before the court moved to Versaille. Louvre was first opened to the public in 1793 and has been used as a museum ever since. The latest addition to the building is the glass pyramid (also a museum entrance) that sits in the courtyard which was designed by I. M. Pei. The pyramid was unveiled in 1989.

The Louvre's collection is overwhelming in size and it includes paitings, drawings, sculptures, antiquities, furniture, coins etc It is impossible to see everything in one day, in fact I believe it is impossible to see everything even if you spend a few years here. Most people run to see the two ladies, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and the statue of Venus de Milo. They are always surrounded by a crowd of people. But try to see more than that; walls are practically lined with masterpieces.

There are many entrances to the museum, not only the one through Pyramid which is always the most crowded. The museums pass card works here and helps in skipping the lines. After 3PM and on Sundays the ticket is half price.

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Address: Palais du Louvre

When we arrived to Sacre-Coeur we were surprized to recognize the Byzantine style in the architecture of the basilica. We weren't quite expecting it, after days of seeing only Gothic architecture in most of the city's churches. That made me very curious about Sacre-Coeur's past. The French government decided to erect the basilica after France's defeat by the Prusians in 1870 to symbolize the end of the misfortunes and the return to strength of the 19th century France. The construction was started in 1875 to Paul Abadie's design. Like many other buildings in Paris, this one was controversial with people loving it and hating it with the same passion. The basilica was finally consecrated in 1919. Because of the location and size its effect is grand. The inside has beautiful mosaics.

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Website: http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/

I read in my travel guide that in the Middle Ages this church was likened to a "gateway to heaven"; once I got there I could see why with my own eyes. This is one of the most beautiful churches that I've seen in my life.

It was built in 1248 by Louis IX to house what was believed to be the crown of thorns from Christ's crucifixion and fragments of the true cross. The building is actually two chapels in one. The first floor chapel which was for servants and lower members of the court is beautiful with its flying buttresses but the upper chapel is infinite more striking. To get upstairs you have to climb a dark spiral staircase. Once you enter the chapel you'll be moved by the light that inundates the room created by the 15 magnificent stained glass windows separated by the narrowest columns. This chapel was for the king and important members of the court - I'm glad that simple folk like us can marvel at it today ;-)

The church is approached through the court of Palais de Justice.

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

The Arc de Triomphe sits at the western end of Champs-Elysees. It's the biggest triumphal arch in the world, about 164 meters high. The traffic around the arch is crazy and in order to reach it you'll have to take an underground passage.

The arch was commisioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victory but wasn't ready for his bride entrance into Paris, 4 years later. It wasn't actually completed until 1836, under the reign of Louis-Philippe. Since then it has been used for state funerals and parades. The Arc saw its happiest moments in 1944 when the parade for the liberation of Paris passed under it. You can take an elevator or climb the stairs to the top. There you'll find a small museum depicting the history of the Arc and from the terrace you'll get a nice view of Paris with the many streets radiating from the "Star".

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

From around the middle of the 19th century to the World War I the slopes of Montmartre used to be the place where artists throve. Toulouse-Lautrec made Montmartre its home and so did Van Gogh, Cezanne, Degas and many others. It was cheap and pretty and it had an abundance of disreputable nightlife. The famouse Moulin Rouge is to be found here. After World War I the area lost its spark and today the area swings between being very touristic during the day and the same shady nightlife during the night. Among many things you'll find here make sure not to miss the Sacre-Coeur church. The views of Paris from its steps make you understand why artists will come here to find their inspiration.

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Address: Montmartre
Website: http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/

The beautiful building which serves as Paris City Hall is a 19th century reconstruction of the 17th century town hall that was burned to the ground during the Commune of 1871. The building overlooks a charming pedestrian square, a nice place to walk and a nice place to skate in winter when a ice-skating rink is to be found here. The square was once a site for public executions.

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Address: Place de L'Hotel de Ville

Located in the lovely neighbourhood of Marais, the beautiful seventeen-century palais named Hotel Sale houses the largest collection of works by Picasso in the world. Many of the works were owned by the artist himself and were obtained by the French state on Picasso's death in 1973 when they were taken as compensation for the inheritance taxes owned by Picasso's heirs. The works are displayed in chronological order; they span some 75 years of Picasso's life and all changes in his style during this time, all the major periods of the artist's life from 1905 onwards. You can see Picasso's experiments with Cubism and Surrealism including some studies for his famous Demoiselles d'Avignon, the painting considered to have launched Cubism in 1907. Then follows his latest works many on themes related to war and peace; many of the works picture his wives and children. In addition the museum displays Picasso's art collection, paintings that he bought or was given by contemporaries such as Matisse, Cezanne, Braque, Renoir and Miro and his collection of African masks and sculptures. The displays include photos and information about the artist's work and life. It all makes for a rewarding visit. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.

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Address: Hotel Sale; 5 rue de Thorigny
Directions: Metro #8 St. Sebastian-Froissart.
Website: http://www.musee-picasso.fr/