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

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Diana75   
Happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it solely depends on what you think


Real Name: Diana
Lives In: Bucharest, RO
Member Since: Sep 05, 2005
VT Rank: 54

 
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Paris Things to Do
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Notre Dame de Paris: La Cathedrale Notre-Dame - a gothic jewel
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  • Updated by Diana75 on Feb 16, 2006
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  • Paris Notre Dame de Paris
  • La Cathedrale Notre-Dame
  • by Diana75 , 4 more photos
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  • 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)
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    Notre Dame de Paris: View from Cathedrale Notre-Dame du Paris
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  • Updated by Diana75 on Feb 16, 2006
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  • Paris Notre Dame de Paris
  • Wild beast watching over Paris
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  • 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)
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    Ile de la Cite: Ile de la Cite - the heart of Paris
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  • Updated by Diana75 on Feb 16, 2006
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  • Paris Ile de la Cite
  • View of Latin Quarter from Ile de
  • la Cite
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  • 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)
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    Sainte-Chapelle: Sainte-Chapelle
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  • Updated by Diana75 on Feb 16, 2006
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  • 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
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    Palais de Justice: Palais de Justice
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  • Updated by Diana75 on Feb 16, 2006
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  • 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)
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    Things To Do: Pont Alexandre III
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  • Updated by Diana75 on Feb 16, 2006
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  • Paris - Pont Alexandre III and view of Les Invalides
  • Pont Alexandre III and view of Les
  • Invalides
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  • 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)
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    Grand & Petit Palais: Musee du Petit Palais
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  • Updated by Diana75 on Feb 16, 2006
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  • 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)
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    Centre Georges Pompidou: Centre Georges Pompidou
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  • Updated by Diana75 on Feb 16, 2006
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  • Paris Centre Georges Pompidou
  • Centre Georges Pompidou
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  • 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)
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    Centre Georges Pompidou: Atelier Brancusi in Centre Pompidou
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  • Updated by Diana75 on Feb 16, 2006
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  • Brancusi Self-Portrait -Collection
  • Centre Pompidou
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  • 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
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    Eiffel Tower: Tour Eiffel
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  • Updated by Diana75 on Feb 17, 2006
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  • 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!!!
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    Comments for Diana75 about Paris
    Herkbert Thu Jun 26, 2008 20:05 UTC
     Diana.. Beautiful pictures and great tips. We are going in December and will spend Christmas in Paris. I can't wait. Tom
    clementine31129 Sun Jan 27, 2008 16:41 UTC
     I have heard about the Hotel des Sens, and was wondering if it is necessary to pay any admission of any sort to visit the gardens, as I have heard they are lovely. Thanks for your help!
    Fam.Rauca Sun Jan 20, 2008 19:39 UTC
     Hi Diana! Your page is very interesting and the photos are excellent. Is a great performance to be on the fifth place, but your Paris page is a very good work. Gabriela
    ashluvsu Tue Jan 15, 2008 13:15 UTC
     your pictures are so beautiful
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