Travel Guide to Paris, France

Paris is often called the city of love and it's the best place not only for spending an unforgettable romantic holiday, but also for looking at the fantastically beautiful sights of the city. Numerous marvelous churches of various styles and epochs will shock you with its magnificence. First of all, these words concern Notre Dame de Paris.

The Louvre. One of the most famous symbols of Paris is the Louvre. It's the former royal palace, which in 1793 was turned into the world-famous museum. Its fame the museum got first of all due to the rich collection of the greatest art works, including the Mona Lisa (La Joconde) and the Venus de Milo statue. The Louvre has a great number of well-known paintings and sculptures of different epochs (till the 19th century). There takes place eastern, Greek, and Roman art. A great part of the exposition creates the Egyptian collection and the paintings by the French, Italian and Flemish artists of the 14th-19th centuries. On Visiting the Louvre and creating a full impression of what art is you'd better spend day or two. Otherwise you'll see only a small part of the exposition and will be just overloaded with information. The Louvre is not only a museum, but a marvelous historical building and a part of the French cultural heritage.

The Tuileries Gardens. Not far from the Louvre takes place the Tuileries Gardens, a splendid place for having some walk. In the 17th century Jean-Baptiste Colbert entrusted his landscape architect to make this place beautiful and attractive. Even nowadays the garden has some charm of those times. If you go through the park, you'll find yourself at the Place de la Concorde, decorated with the giant Egyptian obelisk of the pharaoh Ramses II. If you go a little bit further, you'll get to the Place Vendome with its numerous jewelry stores.

The Royal Palace. In front of the northern wing of the Louvre takes place the Royal Palace. It was built in 1871 by the order of the cardinal Richelieu. During the Commune de Paris of the 1871 the palace got through the fire. In 1875 the restoration works started, and when everything was ready the council of state, the constitutional court and the ministry of culture started to take place there. The amazing arcades of the Royal Palace encourage visiting the antique shops, which are situated around 242 striped columns. It's a real pleasure to have a rest in the garden, founded by Richelieu.

The Eifel Tower. The Eifel Tower, built for the world's fair of 1889, is a real symbol not only of Paris, but of France on the whole. From the top of the tower, which is 307 meters tall, one can enjoy the marvelous view on the city. If to get on foot over 350 or 700 stairs, you'll find yourself only at 1st (57m) or 2nd (115m) platform. That's why it's more reasonable to use the elevators. At the bottom of the Eifel Tower the Champ de Mars is situated. It was used for war games and parades. On the 14th of 1790 at the Champ de Mars the first French constitution was adjured. Nowadays it's a cozy park for having quiet walks.

The House of Invalids. Not far from the Champ de Mars you'll find the House of Invalids (the 17th century, nowadays there takes place the Military Museum) and the church with the Napoleon's sepulcher, the Cathedral of Invalids (1675-1706) and the Military School (1759-1782). The Asphodel Fields are the well-known symbol of France. 'The most beautiful avenue of the world' is not only the street of shops and entertainment, where one boutique comes after the other. The part of the Asphodel Fields that leads to the Place de la Concorde is surrounded by the green parks with museums, theatres and restaurants.

The Arc de Triumph. In the opposite direction the Asphodel Fields end with the Arc de Triumph. Its building works started in 1806 in favor of the victory of Napoleon and his army. The arch was finished only in 1836, Napoleon didn't have fortune to see it. In 1920 at the bottom of the arch the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was created. The whole complex is 50 meters tall and 45 meters wide. Outside the arch is decorated with the enormous statues and friezes, which describe the victories and triumphs of the army. Inside one can read the names of the generals and battles. From the viewing point everybody can enjoy the fantastic view on the city. By the way, it's forbidden to cross the Star Square (in the centre of it takes place The Arc de Triumph) on foot.

Besides the historical places Paris is famous for its football stadium Stade de Paris, built for the World Championship of 1988. It became the place, where France got its title of the champion. But football is not the only passion of Paris, every April they organize the Paris Marathon, which attracts a lot of sportsmen and sport lovers.

The most convenient way of travelling around the city and its outskirts is the famous Paris underground. It's one of the oldest on the continent. Due to the wide net you'll easily get to any point of Paris or its suburb.

Read more about Paris:
Restaurants and cuisine in Paris
Local traditions and lifestyle
'Must visit' places in Paris
Nightlife and attractions in Paris
Preparing for Paris: Advices
Paris photogallery