Eiffel Tower (Champ de Mars, Paris)(Metro: Bir-Hakeim) – this iron lattice tower was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair. At 324 meters, it is Paris’ tallest building, and one of the most visited sites in the world. There are three levels for visitors. The first two levels can be accessed by stairs […]
Centre Pompidou (Pl. Georges-Pompidou, Beaubourg/Les Halles, Paris)(Metro: Rambuteau) – named after French president Georges Pompidou, this futuristic-looking complex was built during the 1970s by architects Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers and Gianfranco Franchini. The largest museum of modern art in Europe (Musée National d’Art Moderne) is located here (with one level devoted to works by Matisse, […]
Catacombs of Paris (1, avenue of Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, Paris)(Metro: Denfert-Rochereau) — The Catacombs, which form a veritable labyrinth beneath the very heart of Paris, were created in the galleries of the former quarries whose stone was used to build the capital. Situated twenty metres below ground, the Catacombs contains the remains of approximately six […]
Bois de Vincennes (eastern part of Paris) (Metro: Metro: Porte-Dorée ot Château de Vincennes) – like Bois de Boulogne, this park was also a former hunting ground for French royalty. Within its grounds is the Château de Vincennes – which was once the largest of its kind in Europe. Built by the 14th century, various […]
Bois de Boulogne (Porte Dauphine for main entrance; Porte Maillot or Les Sablons for northern end; Porte d’Auteuil for southern end, Western Paris, Paris)(Metro: Porte Dauphine for main entrance; Porte Maillot for norther entrance; Porte d’Auteuil for southern end) – this is a large public park located along the western edge of Paris, near the […]
Basilique de St-Denis (St-Denis Basilica)(1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur, St-Denis, Paris)(Metro: St-Denis Basilica): this is supposed to be the first church built in Gothic style (constructed during the 12th & 13th centuries). Some of France’s kings and other royalty are buried here (including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette). Hours: Apr.–Sept., Mon.–Sat. 10 am–6:15 pm, […]
Avenue des Champs-Élysées (Champs-Élysées, Paris) (Metro: Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau, Franklin-D.-Roosevelt, George V, Étoile) – this is a major avenue reminiscent in some ways with New York’s Fifth Avenue. It has some of the most expensive real estate in Paris (with exclusive residences to match), along with high-end stores like Louis Vuitton and Cartier. The famed Tour de […]
Arc de Triomphe (Pl. Charles de Gaulle, Champs Élysées, Paris)(Metro: Étoile) – this 164-foot monument was built by Napoleon to commemorate his military victories. On the Arc’s sides are sculptures by François Rude, such as The Departure of the Volunteers in 1792 (a.k.a. La Marseillaise), to the right of the arch when viewed from […]
Arènes de Lutèce (47 rue Monge, Latin Quarter, Paris)(Metro: Pl. Monge, Cardinal Lemoine) – this amphitheater is one of the few artifacts from the Roman era. Rediscovered in 1869, what remains is part of the stage and tiered seating. These days, the area is either used by student soccer players or by retirees playing boules.