La Tour Eiffel and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

Rising over 300 metres above Paris, the Eiffel Tower remained the tallest structure in the world well into the 20th century. It was built in the late 19th century as a temporary structure for the International Exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the revolution, but was saved from removal. Ironically, its construction was received with much criticism as many found it to be offensively modern, yet today, the Eiffel Tower is Paris and Paris is the Eiffel Tower! Going up to the top is highly recommended for amazing views of the city, but get there first thing in the morning before the queue of visitors expands. And make sure it is within view on the hour every evening between 6pm and midnight (see the attached pictures). During my visits in October and December 2008, the Eiffel Tower was lit up in blue with a circle of stars in honour of the flag of the EU.

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Address: 7e arrondissement

Named after the hill it occupies, le Palais de Chaillot was built in 1937 for l'Exposition Universelle of the same year. The Art Déco structure replaced the 19th century Palais du Trocadéro, which was built for another Exposition Universelle of 1878. Palais de Chaillot occupies a strategic point in Paris opposite the Eiffel Tower. The two buildings that make up the Palais contain several museums, including musée du Cinéma, musée de l'Homme, and musée de la Marine. They also contain a theatre.

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Address: Place du Trocadéro, Paris 16e
Directions: Metro:Trocadéro

Like its nearby neighbour Palais de Chaillot, the Art Déco-style Palais de Tokyo was built for l'Exposition Universelle of 1937. Today it houses the Modern Art Museum of Paris.

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Address: 13, avenue du Président-Wilson, Paris 16e
Website: www.palaisdetokyo.com

Along with the Eiffel Tower, l'Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile is the most recognisable monument in Paris. Napoleon ordered its construction in 1806 to commemorate French victories. The massive Arc de Triomphe is strategically situated at Place de l'Etoile where twelve wide avenues intersect, including les Champs Elysées. It is also on the direct axis from l'Arche de la Défense to the Louvre. Visits to the top are permitted and provide an amazing view of Paris and its skyline.

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Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile, Paris 8e
Directions: Metro Line 1, 2, RER A : Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile

Arguably the most famous avenue in the world, l'avenue des Champs-Elysées, certainly lives up to this title. It is part of the impressive axis from le Louvre to la Grande Arche de la Défense and is bordered by Place de la Concorde on one side, and l'Arc de Triomphe on the other. Along its sides are the Grand and Petit Palais, as well as the Elysées Palais, home of the French president. With its restaurants, cafés, cinemas and luxury boutiques, les Champs-Elysées is popular among locals and tourists alike, day or night. The avenue also takes part in most of the grand celebrations that occur in Paris, such as new year's eve and 14 juillet (Bastille Day).

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Address: avenue des Champs-Elysées, Paris 8e

Largely unnoticed by passersby, l'Hôtel de la Païva is a magnificent Renaissance-style palace on the most famous avenue in the world, les Champs-Elysées. It was built in 1865 by a notorious Marquise de la Païva (née Esther Lachmann). [Note: Hôtel in France also means "townhouse" or "city palace".] She was of ordinary Jewish Polish-Russian descent, but was introduced to high French society by her lover the composer Henri Herz. After many other lovers, she married the Portuguese Marquis de la Païva whose name is eternalised by this sumptuous palace he built for her. A few years later, she annulled her marriage by Rome in order to marry another lover, the super-wealthy Prussian count Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck. These sad events led her previous husband to commit suicide. It is said that she forbade women other than herself from entering her mansion where she held extravagant parties! After her death, the mansion was sold to the British Traveller's Club, which still occupies the palace and is apparently also exclusive to men!! The basement of the palace had been forever a foreign exchange office, but was recently turned into an elegant restaurant-lounge.

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Address: 25, avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8e

Due to its location at the centre of le triangle d'or (golden triangle) of Paris, its views of the Eiffel Tower, and its top real estate, l'avenue Montaigne is perhaps the most enviable avenue in the City of Light. The wide avenue is bordered by Place de l'Alma near the Seine at one end and Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées at the other, and is lined with beautiful horse chestnut trees. Some of the world's most luxurious labels, such as Christian Dior, Nina Ricci, Harry Winston and Bulgari, have opened boutiques or established their headquarters in the buildings along the avenue, most of which dates from the late 1800s. Hotel Plaza Athénée, one of Paris' most renowned, is also located here. When taking a stroll down avenue Montaigne, make sure you are elegantly dressed!

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Address: avenue Montaigne - Paris 8e

Built in 1900 as an exhibition hall for the Universal Exhibition, le Grand Palais is an architectural masterpiece combining neoclassical and art nouveau styles. It stands opposite its smaller sister palace, le Petit Palais, and both continue to serve as exhibition halls to this day. Le Grand Palais was closed for a while during an extensive restoration and reopened again only in 2005. It is divided into three sections: two exhibition halls, and a permanent science and technology museum (Palais de la Découverte). An excellent exhibition called "Trésors Engloutis d'Egypte" (The Sunken Treasures of Egypt) was recently shown in the main hall (Nef du Grand Palais).

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Address: Avenue Winston Churchill - Paris 8e

Built in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition in Paris, le Petit Palais has since become one of Paris' most distinguished monuments along with the neighbouring Grand Palais and Pont Alexandre III. Le Petit Palais has recently undergone major restoration work and serves as an exhibition hall.

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Address: 3, Avenue du Général-Eisenhower, Paris 8e

A late 19th century architectural marvel, Pont Alexandre III is undoubtedly the most beautiful bridge in Paris. It was named after Tsar Alexander III of Russia and designed in the period's art nouveau style complementing the neighbouring Grand Palais. The bridge links the Invalides with the two sister palaces, Grand et Petit Palais. The bridge occupies my favourite spot in Paris. Day or night, it is most spectacular offering great views of some of Paris' famous monuments.

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Address: Pont Alexandre III - Paris 8e