Paris

Places of Interest - France

introduction

Paris is the capital, government seat, largest city and the heart of France. After Moscow, Istanbul and London, the urban area of Paris is the fourth largest in Europe and is considered together with New York, London and Tokyo as one of the big four world cities. The city has several very famous cityscapes such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe with its Champ des Elysees and Versailles which is just situated outside the city. You can also make a trip on the river "Seine" that crosses the city of light.

You can say that it was founded when the Romans conquered it in 52 AD when it was located on the Ile de la Site and since then has swallowed many villages and towns and now covers seven hills. The name "Paris" is derived from a Gallic tribe, the "Parisij" which was adopted after the Roman domination (then Paris was called "Lutetia"). Since Paris was at a crossroads of various trade routes, it was early a center of culture and took an important place in Christianity. The city therefore has a very long and interesting history and a very diverse multicultural society. The "Louvre" is to this day the most visited and most famous museum in the world.

Even today, the "city of love" is an international melting pot of people, culture and for many people a source of inspiration with many theaters, opera’s, nightclubs (Moulin Rouge) and other entertainment venues. In 2004 the capital of France was visited by a record number of 25 million tourists and it has been the end of the Tour de France, the most important cycling race in the world.

highlights

The Eiffeltower:

The Eiffel Tower is a most famous monument in Paris and the most visited monument worldwide. The Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris and is seen by many as one of the non-classical world wonders. It was built between 1887 and 1889 on the occasion of the World Exhibition of 1889 that celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Revolution.

After its construction, it was the world's tallest tower with its 324 meters and is still the highest in Europe if the television towers are not counted. The Paris population was not at all happy with the monument during the first years that the tower was there. Originally it was intended that the Eiffel Tower would be demolished again after twenty years, but because the tower proved valuable for communication purposes, it was allowed to stay longer. In 1944 the tower escaped putting on fire by the German occupiers. Named after its designer, the tower receives about 6 million visitors a year.

The tower is also very common in books, films and (TV) series. With the lift it is possible to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and enjoy the unique view over Paris. You can also enjoy culinary in the tower; there are two restaurants.

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The Louvre

The most visited museum in the world is the Louvre with about 8 million visitors a year. The complex now consists of three wings (and three floors) and has around 30,000 objects (10% of the total is actually on display). The museum officially opened its doors in 1793 and was first used as a castle and then as a Palace.

Perhaps the most famous piece (at least the most famous painting in the world) is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. But there are also pieces by Rembrandt, Van Gogh and, among others, Vermeer and the famous sculpture Venus de Milo can be admired here.

The museum has once again received a new impulse with the book and film "Da Vinci's code". See also museums.

Arc de Triomphe and the Champ des Elysees:

In January 1806 Napoleon commissioned the Arc de Triomphe to build because of his victory at Austerlitz. This one was inspired by the triumphal arches of the great Roman empire. In 1840 Napoleon's mortal remains passed under the Arc during an imposing ceremony when he was taken back to France. In the inside of the arch, names of 558 major generals have been engraved.

Above the bow are still thirty shields with Napoleon's most important victories. Below that are a number of sculptures. Under the Arc is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was built after WW1. There is also an eternally burning fire to commemorate all the unknown soldiers who died in the two world wars. At 50 meters high, 45 meters wide and 22 meters deep, the triumphal arch is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

The Champs-Élysées is the most prestigious and widest avenue in Paris. Thanks to its cinemas, cafés and luxury shops, it is one of the most famous and expensive streets in the world. The avenue is known as the most beautiful in the world and is part of the Ax historique. Originally there were fields and market squares here, until in the 17th century it was decided to extend the garden of the Tuileries with a long avenue bordered by trees. The Champs-Élysées, because of its size and location, was often the scene of famous and notorious military parades, including the arrival of German troops on 14 June 1940 and the subsequent arrival of the Americans a few years later.

The avenue still provides major events and spontaneous outbursts; every year on Quatorze Juillet the biggest military parade of Europe passes here. The Champs-Élysées is also the traditional terminus of the last stage of the Tour de France. But there are regular large and spontaneous meetings such as New Year's Eve and the victory of the French national football team at the 1998 World Cup. Near the avenue you can also find the official house of the French President (Palais de l'Elysee).

Notre Dame

The first stone of one of the most famous churches in the world was laid in the year 1163 by Pope Alexander III. It was built in an early Gothic style and it would take centuries before it was finished.

In front of the door is the bronze stone where point zero is in France. During the French Revolution, numerous works of art were stolen and destroyed (including a number of relics of Christ - the so-called crown of thorns) while most demolitions were restored in the 19th century.

Two coronations took place in the church (the best known is the coronation of Emperor Napoleon) and many state funerals (including Charles de Gaulle in 1970). Around 9000 people can take a seat in the cathedral and since 1991 it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The building served as the background of the famous the whistleblower of Notre Dame with its monstrous drolerien.

Hotel des Invalides

Built in 1670 by King Louis XIV as a soldiers' hospital for his wounded soldiers and veterans. In the largest monument complex of the capital you will find nowadays Napoleon's tomb, a number of museums (including the army museum) and a (soldiers) church (with chapel).

It is the second most important building that was built under the Sun King and was immediately imitated throughout Europe. See also museums.

Cimetiere Pere Lachaise

The PL cemetery is the largest cemetery in Paris and, with more than three million visitors a year, is the most visited cemetery in the world. It used to be an estate but in 1804 it was furnished as a last resting place. After a number of famous mortal remains were replaced, the popularity quickly increased. In May 1871, towards the end of the fight against the Paris Commune, Père Lachaise was the scene of heavy fighting.

The supporters of the Commune were besieged by the troops of Versailles and fought there behind the gravestones to the bitter end. The 147 who eventually surrendered were shot on the spot in front of a wall that has since been known as the mur des Fédérés. Nowadays "PL" counts almost 70 thousand gravestones and only someone can recover if an existing burial concession expires.

The condition is that one must be domiciled in Paris, deceased, or can be buried in an existing grave monument to lie here. Famous graves are those of writer Oscar Wilde, singer Edith Piaf, singer Jim Morisson, (Napoleons) marshals Ney and Murat, composer Chopin, actor Yves Montand and cyclist Fignon. In addition to the funerary monuments, there are dozens of memorials. They commemorate various groups of victims of wars, of a number of concentration camps or of disasters, such as a number of major fires and aircraft accidents.

Place de la Concorde

The unison square is one with history; once designed with the name of the then King Louis XV, renamed Place de la Revolution during the French Revolution. The king's image was destroyed and exchanged for a guillotine in which hundreds of people were killed (including King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette and the revolutionary leaders Danton and Robespierre).

In 1795, when the Revolution was calmed down, it was renamed Place de la Concorde. It was "filled" with a gift from the Egyptian Viceroy (a 23 mtr high obelisk from Queen Hatsjepoet from Luxor) and fountains. From here the parades leave every year the national holiday (14th of July) in the direction of Champs Elysees.

Montmatre and the Sacre Coeur

Originally, Montmartre was a village on a hill outside Paris. In the 19th century, writers and artists began to gather here, and many famous artists, including Pissarro, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh, and Picasso have lived in Montmartre. Now the district is one of the most famous places in Paris and you can buy paintings made especially for tourists on "Place du Tetre".

Next to the "basilica" (see below) you can enjoy the beautiful view over the city. The "Basilique du Sacré-Cœur" consists of different architectural styles and is made entirely of travertine (a white stone). The reason for the construction were the 58,000 dead who fell in the Franco-German War of 1870-1871. The first stone was laid in 1875, the construction lasted until 1914. Inside, the church is richly decorated with paintings and sculptures.

One can also descend to the crypt. In the church is the mosaic Christ in majesty, one of the world's greatest images of Jesus. To get to the church, you can climb 222 steps or take the Funiculaire de Montmartre (cable car). On top you have a view over a large part of Paris.

The holy chapel

The Sainte-Chapelle was built between 1243 and 1248 and was at that time the court chapel of the royal palace of Louis IX, where unfortunately nothing remains. Louis IX had purchased the crown of thorns of Jesus from the emperor of Constantinople in 1239 and acquired some other relics, including a fragment of the Holy Blood, the holy Lance and the true Cross of Christ.

Because of these relics, he had the chapel built. Nowadays the chapel is surrounded by the Palais de Justice. The building consists of a lower and an upper chapel. The lower chapel was used as a parish church for the palace staff, while the upper chapel was intended as a private chapel for the king and his retinue. The lower chapel (Chapelle Basse) makes the impression of a crypt with its low height of 6.6 meters, despite the blue and gold colors on the ceiling. After taking a spiral staircase you enter the upper chapel (Chapelle Haute).

This chapel has very large stained-glass windows (together approx. 670 m²) that illustrate Biblical history. The incoming light creates a mosaic of colors. Many of these windows date back to the 13th century.

The Conciergerie

The conciergerie is part of the remainder of the old theater series of St. Pol, a large palace. Only fragments, the conciergerie, a large hall and the Sainte-Chapelle remain. In 1358 the royal family moved to the Louvre. From 1391, the conciergerie served as a state prison for as many as 1200 prisoners.

During the terror of the French Revolution, the cells were usually no more than an intermediate step for the guillotines that were set up at the Place de la Concorde, Place de la Bastille and the Place du Caroussel aux Tuileries. The most famous prisoners imprisoned here and sentenced to death in the neighboring Palace of Justice were Queen Marie Antoinette (the wife of Louis XVI) and Robespierre. These cells are now chapels in memory of portraits and personal objects, and are on display.

Also in the 19th century the conciergerie remained used as a prison (among others for Napoleon III).

The catacombs

The catacombs of Paris constitute a famous collection of underground cemeteries under the French capital. The network of underground tunnels together is no less than 290 km long. Originally these tunnels were the limestone quarries of Montrouge. From these limestone quarries the stone was used for centuries to build the buildings of Paris.

From 1786 until well into the 19th century, part of the limestone quarries was used as a depot to accommodate the bones of the overcrowded cemeteries. All around the two million bones were transferred from 1785 to the quarries under the city. Other Parisian cemeteries were also cleared for health reasons. In total, the bones of about six million people are buried in the catacombs.

The bones are scattered in underground rooms and galleries. These human remains were dumped into empty chambers and covered with a neatly stacked wall of skulls and bones. Plaques indicate which cemetery the bones are from. Almost all dead in the catacombs are anonymous. At the end of the French revolution, the bones of those who were sentenced to death were also taken to the catacombs by the guillotine. During WW2 part of the corridors was used by the resistance. In the course of history, several people also dive into the catacombs to escape persecution or death. For example, in 1794, opponents of Robespierre hide in the extensive corridors.

Versailles

In 1624, a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII was built near the hamlet of Versailles (20 km southwest of Paris). His son Louis XIV would expand it into one of the largest (baroque) castles in the world. The castle, the principal residence of the French king, was also the government center and the military headquarters of France.

It would be the signboard of the country and was, besides a prestige object of a megalomaniac and vain king, also an economic project. The castle of Versailles would be known for its sumptuous court parties and strict protocol. The palace had 226 dwellings and it is estimated that at the end of the reign of Louis XIV about 3,000 to 10,000 courtiers lived in Versailles every day. The grounds include: stables, gardens, garden house, the Le Hameau de la Reine: the queen's village, the northern and southern mini-wing, the orangery and the "La salle du Jeu de Paume" ": the ice rink where in 1789 the famous oath was made.

Important events from world history originated here; young Mozart would give a concert here, but also the Peace of Versailles was signed here. In 1789 the French Revolution reached the castle through which Queen Marie Antoinette fled to the king's chamber through a secret passage. And while the proclamation of the German Empire was proclaimed here in 1871 by Wilhelm I of Prussia, the Treaty of Versailles was also signed here in the Mirror room on 28 June 1919. Main attractions are; the commode of Louis XIV and the world-famous secretary of Louis XV. Finally, there is the Royal bedroom with the parade bed of the Sun King himself. Here the king would sleep and die.

Other attractions:

Center de Pompidou (modern art museum) and Place de Bastille (place where the dreaded prison once stood).

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history

According to archaeologists, the area of present-day Paris was already inhabited since 4000 BC. The settlement of the "Parisij" tribe was already important because of different trade routes when the Romans, Julius Ceasar in 52 BC. conquered the city and baptized the city "Lutetia Parisiorum". When the Roman Empire fell into decay in the 3rd century, Christian Paris was flooded with refugees from the East who fled from the Huns. In the year 451 Paris was attacked by Atilla (the Hun) and many inhabitants fled to the fortified "Ile de la Cite"; Atilla attacked in vain and the Huns drifted to Orleans.

In 506 King Clovis I made Lutetia, the capital of the Frankish Empire, and centuries later in 845 a number of attacks by the Vikings followed. The right bank of the Seine was drained and Paris grew in the centuries that became the most important center of education and international trade (including the Hanze). In addition, French kings settled permanently in the city. From 1420 onwards, the city was occupied by the English during the 100-year war, and "Joan of Arc" failed to liberate her in 1429. In 1572 the St. Bartholomew massacre in which 3000 Huguenots (Protestants) were killed by Catholics took place in Paris.

Louis XIV, the Sun King, chose Versailles as a residence in 1677 and the city grew to 400,000 because of the large-scale immigration of the countryside. The King and his wife spent so much money that France went bankrupt despite all opulence. On July 14, 1789, the storming of the "Bastille" took place in Paris, which prompted the French Revolution, an event that changed the world. In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself a French emperor in Notre Dame.

During the reign of Napoleon III, Paris is reorganized; the small workers' districts are being demolished and there are broad boulevards, avenues and large squares built in their place. The reason was to keep the population happy but also to keep them under control. During the French - Prussian war in 1870 and 1871, Paris was besieged by the Germans for five months and badly damaged.

In the end the French surrendered and the German empire and the unconditional peace in Versailles was signed. Parts of France were incorporated into Germany. One of the darkest days in Paris's history was on May 28, 1871, when 20,000 Parisians died during a left-wing uprising that the "Commune of Paris" history has entered. It would not last for long. During the Third Republic a period of prosperity came that became known as the "Belle Epoque".

This period came to an end with the outbreak of the First World War. Although Paris was not occupied, the city was totally disrupted and between the two world wars the oppositions between the social classes had become very sharp. During WW2, Paris was occupied by the Germans from June 1940. It was not until 25 August 1944 that Paris was liberated by the Allies after major strikes broke out and fierce battles between French resistance fighters and the German occupiers.

After the war, Paris regained its position as a free and creative city which led to the famous 1968 student demonstrations. On 31 August 1997, Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, died in a car accident in a tunnel at the Pont de l'Alma in Paris, together with her friend Dodi Al-Fayed and their driver Henri Paul. Paris was startled on 27 October 2005 when serious disturbances broke out in the Paris suburbs. Underprivileged young people, mostly immigrants, set up massive vandalism and got into trouble with the riot police. The mayor and the president promised far-reaching improvements. The riots lasted for more than two weeks.

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tips & advice (1994, 2013 and 2016)

Paris has no less than 3 airports; first there is the international airport Charles de Gaulle which is located 30 km northeast of the city. At 80 km (north of the capital) Paris-Beauvais is used mainly by budget aircompanies and charters. Orly is the closest to the center of Paris - 18 km south of the city. All are easily accessible by public transport.

This also applies to Paris's 6 most important train stations, all of which also have a metro stop. All have different destinations and it is important that you first find out where you want to go and find the right station. Due to the perfect network of trains, intercity buses and stations are minimal. The Gare Routiere International de Paris-Gallieni in the Bagnolet district therefore has (inter) national bus routes.

Airport Orly - Gare du Nord (station): from the airport you can take the metro (train) to "Gare du Nord" in Paris center; a ticket costs 11.30 and then you only have to change to the city metro at station "Antony".

Paris - Blois: there is a direct train from the "Austerlitz" station (not from other stations) to the city "Blois" - the trip takes about 1.5 hours, goes directly and costs 27.80 euros.

Paris - Amsterdam: in 2016, three major bus companies will travel to and from Amsterdam and vice versa. Meinfernbus (Flixbus) runs for 18 euros from, among others, "Porte Maillot" while Eurolines asks a price of 16 euros from Gallieni. Megabus also drives to Amsterdam.

Name: Hotel les Invalides

Address: 29, Rue de Grenelle

Price: 9.50 euros

Time: 10:00 to 17: 00-18: 00

Phone nr. : +33 - (0) 8 10 11 33 99

Website: www.invalides.org

Content:

Four for the price of one; in the gigantic complex of Hotel des Invalides you can visit the army museum, the soldiers' cathedral with chapel, Napoleon's tomb and, among other things, the liberation museum. In addition to the part of the museum where the emperor's (Napoleon) tomb is put, many others are buried (famous marshals, his son and brothers and other famous soldiers (among others Foch and Vauban).

In the courtyard you can enjoy the tranquility in this "small" city in itself and then visit the army museum which is divided into different parts (Louis XIV to Napoleon III, WWI, Monarchy halls, Vauban Hall, WWII etc.) Finally you can take a look at the very special (and modern) part where special attention is paid to General and President "Charles de Gaulle." Very worthwhile and a visit to Paris is not complete without having visited this complex.

Name: The Louvre

Price: 11.00 euro (1st Sunday of the month free)

Time: 09:00 - 18:00

Website: www.louvre.fr

Content:

The Louvre is an immense museum in the heart of Paris that was once built on the foundations of a Medieval castle used by several French kings. Emperor Charles V made it his palace and laid the foundation for the museum by building his library there.

When the Revolution broke out, the building was not entirely regarded as a people's property and in 1793 it was decided to turn it into a museum. The general public was admitted only on Sunday, while artists could get their inspiration here the other days. The first director of the museum together with conqueror Napoleon gave a first impetus to the immense art collection that is now exhibited in three gigantic wings.

TIP: do not want to see everything in the museum because it would cost you days. Try to find out a number of pieces and draw your attention to them. Note: with the famous (famous) pieces it is very busy (watch your valuables).

Name: the catacombs

Address: 1 av Colonel Henri Roy-Tanguy

Price: 15 euros (2016)

Time: 10:00 - 17:00 (closed on Mondays)

Website: www.catacombes.paris.fr

Content:

Nowadays, the public can visit a 1.7 km long section of the tunnels. After a descent of 25 meters of stairs, a walk takes visitors past one of the catacombs where the stacked bones and skulls are located, arranged per cemetery where the bones come from and the year in which they were deposited in the catacombs.

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Paris is known for its culture and it is clear that there is an abundance of theaters, opera, dance, music and cinema’s in the capital of France. The Moulin Rouge and "Le Lido" are the famous night clubs. The popular nightlife of Parisian young people today is concentrated in the streets just east and northeast of Place de la Bastille. The Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris is located in the red light district of the Pigalle quarter and is world-famous.

The cabaret (with sexy dancers) was founded in 1889 and on the roof of the building is the big red imitation windmill. The Moulin Rouge is a symbol of bohemian life, attracts thousands of tourists every year and is imitated worldwide. Many books and films take place in and around the nightclub.

Pop festivals in Paris are Rock en Seine and Vilette Sonique.

Wild camping spot: "Maisson Lafitte"

Content:

A few kilometers from the center of Paris (about 20 minutes) lies the suburb Maisson Lafitte – it is connected with a perfect train (metro) connection. Everything is here - a post office, nice terraces, bakeries, information office and a large shopping center. And a perfect forest within walking distance where you can stay for free.

Walk through the street Sint Nicolas from the train station and from there a small forest path enters a big forest. It is not difficult to find a perfect place to sleep here - watch out for the hazelnut trees, the dog walkers and snails.

You can’t see it all – Paris has got lots of sights - maybe too much - even if you walk a week here you have not yet seen all the highlights. Most people come for a long weekend (3 to 4 days) which is actually too short. Perhaps it is wise to look at a few things and return as an excuse to this fantastic city that has a lot to offer. Better than to see all the sights in a too short time. That would be a waste.

"Tour de France" - Paris

Since 1974 the final day of the most important bicycle race worldwide "Tour de France" is held in the capital. The riders start somewhere around Paris and drive the last 15 laps over a fixed route (with many pebbles) over the "Champs-Elysees". Although the battle for the final sprint is world famous, the Tour is often decided and this last afternoon is just for fun. Come early if you want to get a spot on the grandstand.

Rolland Garros

One of the four "Grand Slam" tennis world-tournaments is organized annually in Paris. "Rolland Garros" has been held in the stadium with the same name just south of "Bois de Boulogne". In 1891 the first tournament was held here and in 1928 the newly built stadium was posthumously named after the French aviator and war hero Roland Garros (1888-1918). Usually the entire global tennis summit is represented at this tournament. The property accommodates around 37,000 spectators. The Spaniard "Rafael Nadal" is a 9-time winner of the tournament and record holder.

Football stadiums

There are two major football stadiums in Paris, namely "Stade de France" where the national team (Le Bleux) plays his matches. This was built in honor of the world cup tournament in 1998 when France sent Brazil home with 3-0. This is located just south of "St. Denis "in the north of Paris. The other is the home stadium of "Paris St. Germain", the "Parc des Princes" built in 1970.

This is just a stone's throw away from the "Rolland Garros" stadium in the west of Paris just south of "Bois de Boulogne".

Paris

Places of Interest - France

introduction

highlights

history

tips & advice (1994, 2013 and 2016)

see also:

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