PARIS FRANCE
By Elizabeth Harrin
Paris: the romantic capital of the most visited country in the world.
But there is more to this city than just its romantic je ne sais quoi.
Soak up the ambiance in a pavement café, take in some of the 1800
monuments and wander along the Seine that splits the city into the
Left and Right Banks with their distinctive atmospheres. If you’re not
sure where to start, try here with this guide to the top sites.
THE LOUVRE
The famous glass pyramid houses the entrance to this great
museum. Formally a royal palace, the Louvre now holds some
fantastic works of art including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
The nearest metro station is Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre. Get in
for free on the first Sunday of every month.
www.louvre.fr
NOTRE DAME HOTELS
This cathedral is built on the Ile de la Cité, in the very hard of Paris. It
has been a historical landmark since it was built in amazing Gothic
style in the 12th and 13th centuries. Be careful if you visit on a
Sunday, as it is a place of worship and you may not be able to look
around if a service is taking place. Nearest metro: Cité
www.cathedraledeparis.com
THE EIFFEL TOWER
The original symbol of Paris, and a shorthand for France the world
over. There are three levels of the tower which give excellent views
over the city. You will find much shorter queues for the stairs than the
lifts if you are prepared to walk up to the second level. There’s a lift
available to the top level. Bir-Hakeim metro is the nearest stop, but
from most areas of central Paris you will be able to see the 324
meter high structure – just walk towards it!
www.tour-eiffel.fr
THE CHAMPS-ELYSEES
This road is more than just a thoroughfare. The boulevard stretches
from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. It is a long walk
from one end to the other but it is worth it. Most of the shops will be
open on Sundays, which is not the case in other areas of Paris. If
you can afford it, sit at a pavement café and watch the world go by. If
not, wander a street or two away and benefit from cheaper prices but
equally good coffee. Concorde metro station is a good starting point.
SACRE-COEUR
The white domes of this incredible piece of architecture dominate
Montmatre, the city’s historic core. The names of those who donated
money to build the Catholic Basilica are engraved in the stone.
Wander the nearby streets which are full of the artists Montmatre is
famous for. Take the metro to Anvers or Abbesses and then the
funicular railway up the hill.
www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com
CENTRE POMPIDOU
Inside this huge building is the Museum of Modern Art as well as
various shops and temporary exhibitions. Take in the bizarre
external architecture from Hotel-de-Ville metro station. On the first
Sunday of the month entrance is free. The views from the rooftop are
spectacular. You can take guided tours of the art galleries, take in a
film at the cinema or listen to a concert. Check the website for daily
events.
www.centrepompidou.fr
JARDIN DU LUXEMBOURG
Jump of the metro at Notre-Dame-de-Champs to escape the pace of
the city and relax in this beautiful, typically French, garden. It is the
grounds of the Palais du Luxembourg, which houses the French
Senate. See if you can spot students from the nearby Sorbonne
studying outdoors. In winter it closes early so make sure you get
your dose of the park in daylight!
www.senat.fr
THE SEINE
You can’t come to Paris and not wander along the banks of the
Seine. Pick a point on the river and take a stroll, following the water
as it cuts the city into the distinctive Left and Right banks (Rive
Gauche, south of the river, and Rive Droite, to the north). Watch the
people living on house boats or take a river cruise. Don’t confuse the
Seine with the St Martin Canal which is in Bastille!
CATACOMBES
At 1,place Denfert-Rochereau in the fourth arrondissement (metro
Denfert-Rochereau) are the underground Catacombes de Paris,
former quarries which became used for storing bones from 1810.
Today the chambers, which cover 11,000 square meters are thought
to hold the remains of six million people, some of the bones being
over a thousand years old. Under 14s get in free but the spooky
atmosphere means you might want to avoid this attraction with very
little ones.
HOTEL DES INVALIDES
Close to the Seine, on Esplanade des Invalides, lies this institution.
Designed by Louis XIV to house disabled soldiers. The magnificent
Dome Church was added a few years after the main building was
finished and houses the ashes of Napoleon. Over half a million
leaves of gold paper the dome, giving it the definitive shine. The fee
gives you entrance to the church and five other museums on site
including the Army Museum where you can see Napoleon’s
campaign tent.
www.invalides.org
By Elizabeth Harrin
Paris: the romantic capital of the most visited country in the world.
But there is more to this city than just its romantic je ne sais quoi.
Soak up the ambiance in a pavement café, take in some of the 1800
monuments and wander along the Seine that splits the city into the
Left and Right Banks with their distinctive atmospheres. If you’re not
sure where to start, try here with this guide to the top sites.
THE LOUVRE
The famous glass pyramid houses the entrance to this great
museum. Formally a royal palace, the Louvre now holds some
fantastic works of art including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
The nearest metro station is Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre. Get in
for free on the first Sunday of every month.
www.louvre.fr
NOTRE DAME HOTELS
This cathedral is built on the Ile de la Cité, in the very hard of Paris. It
has been a historical landmark since it was built in amazing Gothic
style in the 12th and 13th centuries. Be careful if you visit on a
Sunday, as it is a place of worship and you may not be able to look
around if a service is taking place. Nearest metro: Cité
www.cathedraledeparis.com
THE EIFFEL TOWER
The original symbol of Paris, and a shorthand for France the world
over. There are three levels of the tower which give excellent views
over the city. You will find much shorter queues for the stairs than the
lifts if you are prepared to walk up to the second level. There’s a lift
available to the top level. Bir-Hakeim metro is the nearest stop, but
from most areas of central Paris you will be able to see the 324
meter high structure – just walk towards it!
www.tour-eiffel.fr
THE CHAMPS-ELYSEES
This road is more than just a thoroughfare. The boulevard stretches
from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. It is a long walk
from one end to the other but it is worth it. Most of the shops will be
open on Sundays, which is not the case in other areas of Paris. If
you can afford it, sit at a pavement café and watch the world go by. If
not, wander a street or two away and benefit from cheaper prices but
equally good coffee. Concorde metro station is a good starting point.
SACRE-COEUR
The white domes of this incredible piece of architecture dominate
Montmatre, the city’s historic core. The names of those who donated
money to build the Catholic Basilica are engraved in the stone.
Wander the nearby streets which are full of the artists Montmatre is
famous for. Take the metro to Anvers or Abbesses and then the
funicular railway up the hill.
www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com
CENTRE POMPIDOU
Inside this huge building is the Museum of Modern Art as well as
various shops and temporary exhibitions. Take in the bizarre
external architecture from Hotel-de-Ville metro station. On the first
Sunday of the month entrance is free. The views from the rooftop are
spectacular. You can take guided tours of the art galleries, take in a
film at the cinema or listen to a concert. Check the website for daily
events.
www.centrepompidou.fr
JARDIN DU LUXEMBOURG
Jump of the metro at Notre-Dame-de-Champs to escape the pace of
the city and relax in this beautiful, typically French, garden. It is the
grounds of the Palais du Luxembourg, which houses the French
Senate. See if you can spot students from the nearby Sorbonne
studying outdoors. In winter it closes early so make sure you get
your dose of the park in daylight!
www.senat.fr
THE SEINE
You can’t come to Paris and not wander along the banks of the
Seine. Pick a point on the river and take a stroll, following the water
as it cuts the city into the distinctive Left and Right banks (Rive
Gauche, south of the river, and Rive Droite, to the north). Watch the
people living on house boats or take a river cruise. Don’t confuse the
Seine with the St Martin Canal which is in Bastille!
CATACOMBES
At 1,place Denfert-Rochereau in the fourth arrondissement (metro
Denfert-Rochereau) are the underground Catacombes de Paris,
former quarries which became used for storing bones from 1810.
Today the chambers, which cover 11,000 square meters are thought
to hold the remains of six million people, some of the bones being
over a thousand years old. Under 14s get in free but the spooky
atmosphere means you might want to avoid this attraction with very
little ones.
HOTEL DES INVALIDES
Close to the Seine, on Esplanade des Invalides, lies this institution.
Designed by Louis XIV to house disabled soldiers. The magnificent
Dome Church was added a few years after the main building was
finished and houses the ashes of Napoleon. Over half a million
leaves of gold paper the dome, giving it the definitive shine. The fee
gives you entrance to the church and five other museums on site
including the Army Museum where you can see Napoleon’s
campaign tent.
www.invalides.org
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FAMILY TRAVEL FUN
PARIS FRANCE
PARIS FRANCE
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