La Cathedrale Notre-Dame - a gothic jewel and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

The construction works to Notre-Dame Cathedral were started by Bishop Maurice Sully in 12C, but kept going in the period 1163-1345.

The beautiful interior impresses through its significant dimensions and height, still magnificent harmonized.

Remarkably beautiful are the windows, out of which the north rose, presenting scenes from the Old Testament, survived almost intact since 13C.

But Notre-Dame has also another meaning, because who doesn't know the story of Quasimodo, fascinated by the charms of the beautiful Esmeralda in Victor Hugo's novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame"?

In front of the Cathedral in the centre of Place du Parvis is a plaque marking the zero point from which all road distances in France are measured.

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Address: Place du parvis de Notre Dame, 75004
Directions: Metro: Cite (line 4)

For a magnificent view of the oldest part of Paris no one should miss the visit to the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral.

But the view is not the only reason for climbing the towers; also the carved wild beasts and the great bell it worth the effort.

Although not as challenging as climbing the steps to the Cupola of San Peter Basilica in Vatican, the 380 steps to the top of Notre-Dame require a bit of attention and physical preparation (mainly in the second part and especially in a rainy day like ours).

But when you think how many times the poor Quasimodo climbed these steps, how can you complain?

With the Paris Museum Pass the entrance to the towers is free of charge.

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Address: Place du parvis de Notre Dame, 75004
Directions: Metro: Cite (line 4)

Ile de la Cite is the oldest part of Paris, the heart of the city and also the main attraction due to the remarkable monuments it hosts: La Cathedrale Notre-Dame du Paris, Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie and Palais de Justice.

The initial name Lutetia, taken around 200BC when it was discovered, was changed in 506 when Cite became Clovis's capital.

The most important work took place under Louis-Philippe and Napoleon III when the Law Courts were doubled, Place du Parvis in front of Notre-Dame was quadrupled and Boulevard du Palais became 10 times wider than before.

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Directions: Metro: Cite (line 4)

A wonderful example of High Gothic architecture, Sainte-Chapelle was constructed by Saint Louis in the period 1242-1248 for hosting the relics of the Passion of Christ.

Ste-Chapelle was consecrated in 1248, the lower chapel being dedicated to the Virgin and serving as Palace parish, while the upper chapel was the royal chapel and the place were the relics were kept.

The most remarkable decorations of the upper chapel are the statues of the 12 Apostles.
The Holy Relics are kept in a rich decorated reliquary on the top of the baldaquin in the apse and are presented in the Holy Friday.

The tall 15 stained glass windows are the oldest in Paris and the theme presented is the Passion.

Opening hours:
- April 1st - September 30th: 09:30-18:30
- October 1st - March 31st: 10:00-17:00

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Phone: 01 53 73 78 50
Address: Boulevard du Palais
Directions: Metro: Cite (line 4)
Website: http://www.pbase.com/francist/chap&page=all

Beside its important sacred monuments, Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, Ile de la Cite accommodates also the Law Courts.

The beautiful stone buildings were erected by the Roman governors as administrative and military headquarters and witnessed important actions in France's history.

Following the French Revolution new courts were installed in the old buildings, taking also the name of Palais de Justice.

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Address: Metro: Cite (line 4)

Made as a natural continuation of the large avenue guiding to Les Invalides, Pont Alexandre III is the most beautiful bridge in Paris.

Built in 1900, it took its name from Alexandre III, father of Nicholas II of Russia, who laid the foundation stone and is impressively adorned with steel statues and ornamentations.

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Directions: M: Invalides (lines 8,13)

Hosted by a remarkably beautiful building, Musee du Petit Palais displays a rich collection of paintings, art objects, books and porcelains.

Closed for a long period of time for restructuring works, the museum was recently re-opened and can be now visited.

Due to this it's better to start the visit to the museum early in the morning because it may be pretty crowded.

The entrance fee is not included in the Paris Museum Pass, thus the ticket has to be bought separately.

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Address: Avenue Winston-Churchill
Directions: M:
Invalides (lines 8,13)
Champ-Elysees-Clemenceau (lines 1, 13)

I must admit that I was not very much impressed of the futuristic building before entering and visiting the Musee national d'Art moderne (National Museum of Modern Art). I had the impression that it didn't fit the scenery at all, that's why I made the mistake of doing my visit late in the afternoon and having too less time left.

Already in, I really felt in love ... with everything.

I could have spent hours and hours looking to the modern works displayed and just trying to find another secret connotation missed at the first sight.

The 1,100 modern contemporary art works (sculptures, photographs, videos, etc) are organized based on the theme on a single floor (Level 5 - Big Bang) and are changed every 18 months.

On the three terraces are displayed sculptures by Calder, Miro and Laurens.

Here is what you can find on each floor:
Level -1: Foyer / Ticket Office / Cinema
Level 0: General Information / Ticket Office / Bookstore
Level 1: Cinema / Library / Cafe
Level 2: Press Room / General Collection / Self-Training Area
Level 3: General Collection / Kandinsky Library and Graphic Arts Cabinet
Level 4: Museum
Level 5: Big Bang / Terrace sculptures
Level 6: Exhibitions

Opening hours: 11:00-22:00
Entrance to Big Bang (Level 5) free of charge with Paris Museum pass. Entrancee fee to Level 6 to be paid separately.

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Address: Place Beaubourg, 75004
Directions: Metro:
Les Halles (line 4)
Rambuteau (line 11)

I must admit that I felt at the same time proud and impressed to finding near Centre Pompidou, Brancusi's Studio (L'Atelier Brancusi).

Constantin Brancusi, the best sculptor of the XX century and the pioneer of abstraction, was born in Romania in 1876 and came to Paris in 1904.

Until his death, in 1957, he produced in his studio located in Montparnasse his most important sculptures appreciated for the elegance and the specific use of materials.

In the 1930s Brancusi worked to an ambitious public sculpture projects, the installation in Tirgu Jiu, Romania, of the Gate of the Kiss, Table of Silence and a 100-foot tall cast iron version of Endless Column.

One year before his death, Brancusi left the contents of his studio to the French State on condition that the studio be installed in the museum, as initially was.

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Address: Place Beaubourg, 75004
Directions: Metro: Rambuteau; RER: Chatelet-Les Halles

As everybody knows Tour Eiffel is the most famous place in Paris. You can miss everything in Paris but certainly not Tour Eiffel.

It is named after the man who designed it, Gustave Eiffel and weights 7,000 tones, being made of 15,000 pieces fitted together by 2,500,000 rivets.
Up to the top (320m) there are three levels to visit: Stages 1 and 2 (steps or lift) and Stage 3 at the top (lift only).

But there were times in the history when Tour Eiffel was not at all popular, when the Parisians thought it looked ugly and wanted to pull it down.
However, Tour Eiffel not only survived but became the number one tourist attraction in the world.

We’ve planned to start the climbing at 17:00 so as to see the town both during the day and after the sunset. But we took the stairs (how can you enjoy better this experience?) and we arrived at the second level after the sunset.
The 3rd level was closed for maintenance works.
But despite the bad weather (it was January anyway) the view was magnificent.

Entrance fee (680 stairs up to the second level): EUR 3.8-

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