About Paris
History
Attractions
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As there is much to see in the City of Paris, below are highlights of some of Paris' most famous attractions.
Historical Attractions
Arc de Triomphe
The Triumphal Arch is 2km (1 mile) northwest of place de la Concorde in the middle of place Charles de Gaulle, the world's largest traffic roundabout and the meeting point of 12 avenues and three arrondissements. It was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon to commemorate his imperial victories but remained unfinished when he started losing and finally completed in 1836. Among the armies to march triumphantly through the Arc de Triomphe were the Germans in 1871, the Allies in 1919, the Germans again in 1940 and the Allies in 1944. The viewing platform is open from 10:00 to 22:00 daily from 1 October to 31 March. Admission: €6.20 for adults 18 - 25 years; Over 25 years, €8.00. METRO: Charles de Gaulle-Étoile.
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris is the true heart of Paris; in fact, distances from Paris to every part of metropolitan France are measured from place du Parvis Notre Dame, the square in front of Notre Dame. A bronze star, set in the pavement across the street from the cathedral's main entrance, marks the exact location of point of French roads. Notre Dame is not only a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture but has also been the focus of Catholic Paris for seven centuries. Visiting hours are 8:00 to 18:45 Monday - Friday and 8:00 to 19:45 Saturday and Sunday. METRO: Cité.
Cultural Attractions
The Louvre
The vast Palais du Louvre was constructed as a fortress by Philippe-Auguste in the early 13th century and in 1793 the Revolutionary Convention turned it into a national museum. It houses paintings, sculptures and artifacts that have been assembled by French governments over the past five centuries. Among them are works of art and artisanship from all over Europe and collections of Assyrian, Etruscan, Greek, Coptic and Islamic art and antiquities. The Louvre's main focus is to present Western art from the Middle Ages to about year 1848 (at which point the Musée d'Orsay takes over) as well as the works of ancient civilizations that formed the starting point for Western art. The museum is open from 9:00 to 18:00 every day except Tuesday. It is open until 21:45 on Wednesday and Friday evening. Admission: €8.50 (This ticket provides full-day access to the Louvre, except for temporary exhibitions in the Hall Napoléon. It is also valid for the Musée Eugène Delacroix). On Wednesday and Friday evenings (from 18:00 to 21:45), the price is €6.00. Admission to the Louvre is free on the first Sunday of every month. METRO: Tuileries or Concorde.
Eiffel Tower
Named for its designer, Gustave Eiffel, is 324m high, including the television antenna at the tip. This figure can vary by as much as 15 cm, however, as the tower's 10,000 tons of iron, held together by 2.5 million rivets, expand in warm weather and contract when it's cold. Three levels are open to the public. The elevators, located in the west and north pillars, cost €4.20 (Adults 12 and over) or €2.30 (Children 3 -11) to the 1st platform (57m above the ground), €7.70 (Adults 12 and over) or €4.20 (Children 3 -11) to the 2nd platform (115m above the ground), and €11.00 (Adults 12 and over) or €6.00 (Children 3 -11) to the 3rd platform. Avoid the wait at the elevators by taking the stairs in the south pillar to the 1st and 2nd platforms. Prices are €3.80 (Adults 25 and over) or €3.00 (Under 25). METRO: Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel or Bir Hakeim.
Musée D'Orsay (Orsay Museum)
The Musée d'Orsay, in a former train station, displays France's national collection of paintings, sculptures and other works of art produced between the 1840s and 1914, including the fruits of the impressionist, post-impressionist and Art Noveau movements.
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