An hour at the Louvre Museum, Paris and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

If you do not have time, you can still make an hour visit to the Louvre. As I have studied history of art, I made a dash for the Louvre while others in my package tour went shopping. Obviously art was not part of the itinerary.

There were two important pieces I must see.

Venus de Milo - a sculpture of a beauty even though the arms are gone.

Mona Lisa - smaller than one would expect but bigger in life. I even got own picture of it.

Be careful of the steps of the staircase.

Many of the masterpieces have an extra protection and so you can stop and pause if you are rushing through like me.

Better if you can visit the Louvre website and read ahead of the masterpieces before your visit. Whether you are into Egyptian, Aegean, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance or Baroque, this is a visit in Paris you must not miss even if it is only for an hour.

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Address: Paris
Directions: Louvre MRT station
Website: www.louvre.fr
Other Contact: Closed Tuesdays

With limited time, I walked across the bridge over to D'Orsay Museum, a renovated train station turned art museum. An architecture beauty but I was more interested in the painting collections of Western art of the turn of 20th Century from 1850 to before World War I.

Here are my favorites:
1) Paul Cezane "Apples and Oranges" - still life
2) Edouard Manet "Luncheon on the Grass" - considered scandalous in his days
3) Auguste renoire "Dance ... Montmarte" - spirit of Parisian life
4) Vincent van Gogh - several strong pieces and less famous version "Starry Night".

I recommend a bit of reading of history of art and the master pieces from museum website, online sites or your library before visiitng this stunning collection of so many famous artists.

An hour visit again is better none.

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Address: Walking distance from Louvre Museum
Website: www.musee-orsay.fr
Other Contact: Closed Mondays

Having studied architecture, I had to visit this building which made headlines with its innovative design of leaving all piping, services and facilities exposed and an part of decorativon instead of hidden. It is now so common with our hypermarkets but it was shocking then. So a must visit pilgrimage for those who are into history of architecture.

A great view of Paris.

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One of the most famous icon in the world - one has to see Eiffel Tower from a distance and at close range to marvel at the engineering feat. If time permit, to wait the queue and go up to the main deck and/or higher deck to see Paris in the day or night.

It can be cold and windy at the top. A picture with Eiffel Tower in the background is a must to prove that you were in Paris. The tacky Eiffel Tower key chain seems unique but most of your friends have probably got one already.

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

Located on an island in Seine river, this wonderful Gothic architecture is most inspiring. There are flying arches and buttress to support the high ceiling of this beautiful cathedral.

The giant glass stain rose window inside is a sight to behold. Walk around the outside of the Cathedral as well and if time permit to climb up the stairs inside if you are not afraid of height.

A wonderful work of art and architecture inspired from above. Not to be missed.

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Address: Place du parvis de Notre Dame , 75004
Directions: Métro: Cité; RER: Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint Michel-Notre Dame

The Arc de Triumph is a sight of glory. It is said that all roads of Paris leads to the Arc. Built to commemorate the triumphant return of Napolean Bonaparte who conquered most of Europe. As it is located in the middle of a giant roundabout, it is best admired from afar or while driving round the Arc in your taxi or tour bus.

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

This is a elegant palace with symmetrically planned gardens of the French King Louis 14th and his Queen Marie Antoinette. The tour will cover the hall of mirrors where balls and dances with wigs and pertume was the fashion until the Parisian poor revolted out of hunger, leading to the guilotine of French royal blood and the French revolution.

Great place to step back into the French Royal court.

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At the front entrance, take a second look at the beautiful stone statues of Gothic design.

Examples of some of the best Gothic art during this era. The statues are elongated in scale to give a rising upwards the heaven.

The gorgoyles looks mischevious and actually hides the drainage system of the rooms.

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Address: Place du parvis de Notre Dame , 75004
Directions: Métro: Cité; RER: Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint Michel-Notre Dame

This is huge beautiful and geometrically designed palatial garden of Emperor Louis XIV of France. It looked like a long long walk from one end to the other.

There are canals, ponds and fountains with sculptures all over. A stroll while talking about politics or gossips must have been the practice of those days. Not easy to get lost as you can always see the palace and get back to.

Reputedly as one of the largest and best formal gardens in Europe in the French Baroque style of course.

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Address: Suburb of Paris

This beautiful building was built as a hospital for war veterans.

It houses a military museum and the tomb of Napolean Bonaparte and his family members and military officers.

Napolean died in exile at St. Helena island and was exhumed and brought here in 1840.

Under a dome laid his sacrophagus for all the tourists to take a photo of.

For all history buffs, this is a must to remember a Corsican soldier who ruled Europe during his heydays before his Waterloo.

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Phone: 33 (0)1 44 42 38 77
Address: Place des Invalides, 7e
Website: www.invalides.org