The sway at the top of this masterpiece
of tensile strength and lightness has never been more
than 12 cm. The metal tower was built in two years by
the engineer, Eiffel, for the world exhibition of 1889.
The tower is 300 m high and weighs 7,000 tonnes (a scale
model 30 cm high would only weigh 7 grams). Three platforms
(57 m, 115 m and 274 m) offer a view over Paris and the
suburbs.
Bastille
The Bastille's name was taken
from the medieval French word bastide or fortress. It
was constructed to defend the east side of Paris. The
Bastille was completed in 1382 with walls over 80ft in
height that were surrounded by a moat. In the first half
of the 17th century it was used as a prison. Cardinal
Richelieu, the chief minister of Louis XIII, began to
use the fortress as a prison till 1789. By 1789, the liberators
had discovered that life inside the Bastille was more
comfortable than they had imagined. Prisoners could bring
in their own furniture and meals and the wealthy ones
could even bring in their servants. By 1789, life inside
the Bastille could no longer be compared to the horrors
of the legend.
On July 14th 1789, the Bastille proudly stood invincible.
On that day in July, a rumor had circulated that troops
were going to be sent in order to break up the National
Assembly. A mob of people surrounded the Bastille. Three-hundred
guards had deserted their regiments and if it were not
for them, the Bastille would not have been threatened
so strongly. Before the surrender only one of the defenders
had been killed and three wounded. On the attackers side,
eighty-three lay dead and seventy-three injured.
The Louvre
Open daily 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
except Tuesdays and certain holidays. Wednesdays (whole
museum) 9:00 AM to 9:45 PM and Mondays (part of the museum).
Exhibition galleries start to close 30 min before closing
time. Medieval louver, history of louver and the temporary
exhibitions in the pyramid 9:00 AM to 9:45 PM.
On the site of the medieval fortresses of Philippe Auguste
and Charles V stands the former palace of the kings of
France, transformed into a museum in the 18c. Construction
of the louver lasted several centuries from Francois l
to Napoleon lll. The cour carre’e, the colonnade and the
east façade are impressive. The museum, which houses
one of the world’s richest collections of works, offers
visitors a full panorama of art. It has been restructured
and renovated and is divided into seven sections: oriental
antiquities; Egyptian antiquities; Greek, Etruscan and
Roman antiquities; sculptures; paintings; objets d’art;
graphic art.
Opera Garnier
Built by the young architect,
Garnier between 1862 and 1875. The theatre’s imposing
size and luxurious ornamentation are typical of the second
empire style.
Visitors can admire the magnificent great staircase and
main foyer. The sumptuously decorated auditorium has a
remarkable ceiling painted by Chagall in 1964.
To the right of the façade is a copy of carpeaux’
dance** by Paul Belmondo.
Arc De Triomphe
Napoleon commissioned chalgrin
to build the arch in 1806 in honor of the French armed
services. It was not completed until 1836.
The colossal arch takes its inspiration from ancient art
and is 50 m high by 45 m wide. It is adorned with imposing
high reliefs, including the departure of the 1792 volunteers,
commonly called the marseillaise, a masterpiece sculpted
by rude.
From the observation platform, there is an excellent view
of the 12 avenues radiating in the from of a star. The
tomb of the unknown soldier has lain beneath the arch
since 1920.
Notre-dame Cathedral
Construction of the cathedral
was begun in 1163 by Bishop Maurice de sully and was completed
in 1345. Over the centuries, little maintenance had been
done so in the 19c violet-le-duc saw to its restorations.
Notre-dame cathedral combines balanced proportions and
harmonious lines with subdued decoration. The facade and
transept portals are lavishly sculpted. The transept is
lit by two magnificent rose windows. From the south tower
observation platform, there is a splendid view of the
spire, flying buttresses and the site.
Montmartre and the
Church of the Sacred Heart
The Romano-Byzantine basilica
crowns the Montmartre hill. Its construction began in
1875 and was completed in 1914. Admission is free, except
for the crypt and dome (about EUR 5).
For a fun ride, go to the Anvers metro station, walk to
"Rue Tardieu" and take the "funiculaire"
(a one-car train which brings you almost to the top of
the hill).
Montmartre itself used to be a village outside Paris.
The hill is famous for its architectural landmarks, its
artistic life, and more recently, for 'Amelie'. It counts
no less than 7 museums!
Church of the Invalides
Its building started in 1671 under
the reign of King Louis the XIVth, and about 30 years
later.
From its inception, the place was designed to serve as
a home to impoverished soldiers and wounded veterans of
the French army. It comprises the veteran hospital itself,
a church, several museums, and the tomb of Napoleon I.
Admission is EUR 6 for adults, and frees for children
under 12.
Opening hours: October to March, 31-th | 10:00 AM - 04:45
PM; April-September, 30-th | 10:00 AM - 05:45 PM
Place de la Concorde
This vast square was designed
by the architect Gabriel from 1755 to 1775 as a setting
for the statue of Louis XV.
Two mansions with impressive colonnades are on either
side of royal. Eight statues representing the towns of
France mark the corners. In the center, the luxor obelisk
stands between two fountains similar to those in ST Peter’s
square in Roma. From the center of the square, note the
beautiful views from the louver to the Arc De Triomphe,
north to the Madeleine and south to the Palais-bourbon.
The marly horses at the entrance to the champs-elysees
face the winged horses by coysevox which frame the entrance
to the tuileries.
Champs-Elysees
This broad and imposing avenue
with its spectacular view offers entertainment and a shopping
center filled with luxury shops.
During the second empire, it became a popular meeting
place. In the first section, the avenue is still lined
with grand old chestnut trees, dotted with occasional
pavilions and a children’s puppet theatre. In the second
section, there are cafes, cinemas, airline companies,
car showrooms and arcades with shops and offices.
Don’t forget to explore the numerous shopping arcades.
People gather on the avenue des champs-elysees on 14 July
and the night of 31 December as well as for other popular
events.
Georges Pompidou Center
Museum free first Sunday of the
month.
The national center for art and culture was created on
president Pompidou’s initiative in the beaubourg district.
Designed by architects, rogers and piano, this gigantic
building exposes its steel frame, glass walls and bright
colors. The centre was closed for renovation and extension
work and reopened in 2000. The building serves several
purposes, housing the national museum of modern art, the
public information library, the acoustic and musical research
and co-ordination institute, the temporary exhibition
galleries and show area.
Hotel Verlain: 97, Rue Saint-Maur 75011 PARIS. Tel: ++33.1.43.57.44.88 Fax: ++33.1.43.57.32.06 Metro: ST-MAUR
)
to see more details.
