Paris

As the capital of France, Paris has been an important city for over

2000 years. Paris, which is often called the city of love and the city

of light, today is one of the world's leading centers of business,

fashion, entertainment, art and culture. The mere mention of

Paris conjures up images of the city's world-famous

landmarks, museums and cathedrals.

Also called the fashion capital, Paris is home to the world's top

designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Lancôme, L'Oréal and

Christian Dior. The city's market ranges from shopping centers to

street markets, boutiques and flea markets. Overview of the main

tourist attractions of Paris:

1. Eiffel Tower

A visit to the iconic symbol of Paris usually ranks first among

tourists. Towering over a 300-meter park on the Champ de Mars,
this iron structure was built for the 1889 World's Fair. The Eiffel
Tower, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world,
offers great opportunities for photographing both day and night.
Visitors can ride the elevator for incredible views of the city, or
dine at one of the tower's two fine restaurants.

2. Louvre

Topping the list of the most visited museums in the world, the Louvre

is located in the Louvre, and its entrance path is decorated with

a signature glass pyramid. The Louvre has a collection of over 1

million items, as well as some of the most famous works of art

in the world, such as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa,

Michelangelo's Dying Slave of the Revolution, and the Greek

statue of Venus de Milo. Other popular exhibits include Napoleon

III's extravagant apartments, the ancient Codex of Hammurabi,

Egyptian antiquities, and paintings by masters such as Rembrandt

and Rubens.

3. Arc de Triomphe

One of Paris's most popular tourist attractions, the Arc de Triomphe

was built in 1806 to perpetuate the memory of the triumphal battles

of Napoleon Bonaparte. Rising 164 feet high and 148 feet (50

by 45 meters) wide, the arch is decorated with intricate reliefs

depicting victorious battles and engraved with the names of

many victims fighting for the emperor. Under the arch is the Tomb

of the Unknown Soldier of the First World War.

4. Notre Dame de Paris

No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the world famous

Notre Dame Cathedral. This stunning church with two tall towers

and a spire more than 120 feet (120 meters) high is considered the

best example of French Gothic architecture. A guided tour of this

13th-century masterpiece allows visitors to admire the impressive

rose windows, Gothic carvings, beautiful sculptures, and a collection

of relics.

5. Sacre-Coeur

One of the most notable landmarks in Paris is the stunning white-

domed Sacre Coeur Basilica. Located at the highest point in the

city on the Montmartre hill, this stunning basilica attracts many

tourists every year to see its marble architecture and magni-

ficent interiors. The tour rewards visitors with views of golden

mosaics, stained-glass windows and one of the largest watches

in the world.

6. Jardin du Luxembourg

 

This public park, known in English as the Luxembourg Gardens,

is the second largest in Paris. Visitors here can enjoy a picnic or

take a leisurely stroll among the beautiful lawns, formal gardens

and gardens with numerous art statues and fountains. For fun

and sports, there are jogging tracks, tennis courts and

fitness equipment. Children can play on the huge playground,

ride a pony, watch a puppet show and ride on boats with models.

7. Musee d'Orsay

The Musee d'Orsay, a must-see for art lovers, is known for hosting

the world's leading collection of impressionist paintings. Located

in a former train station, this great museum displays thousands

of art and objects that span the period from the mid 1800s to the

early 1900s. Visitors can walk through several rooms to watch

the amazing work of many famous artists such as Monet, Van

Gogh, Cézan, Degas, Pissarro, Renoir and Jean-Francois Millet.

8. Centre Pompidou

The Pompidou Center, designed in the style of high-tech architecture,

is a cultural institution in the Beaubourg district of the 4th district. It

has an extensive public library, the National Museum of Modern Art,

the largest museum of modern art in Europe, a bookstore, a cinema

and a panoramic terrace. The library occupies the first three floors of

the building, while the permanent collection of the museum is located

on the 4th and 5th floors. Ground and upper floors are used for

large exhibitions. The center is named after Georges

Pompidou, President of France from 1969 to 1974, who

commissioned the building.

9. Sainte-Chapelle

 

Created after 1239, Saint-Chapelle is considered one of the

best achievements of Gothic architecture. Its construction

was commissioned by King Louis IX of France to house his
collection of relics of the Passion, including the crown of
thorns of Christ, one of the most important relics in
medieval Christendom. Despite being damaged during the
French Revolution and rebuilt in the 19th century, it retains one
of the most extensive collections of 13th century stained glass
in the world.

10. Place de la Concorde

On the east side of the Champs Elysees lies the Place de la

Concorde, the largest square in Paris with fantastic views

in all directions. It was on this square that the French king Louis

XVI, Marie Antoinette and many others were guillotined during

the French Revolution. A large 3,200-year-old Egyptian obelisk in

the center of the Place de la Concorde was brought from the Temple

of Luxor in the 19th century.