Monuments of Paris.
– Arc de Triomphe: It is the world largest triumphal arch,162 feet high. It was conceived by Napoleon as a tribute to his army and 128 victorious battles. It crowns the famous avenue of the Champs-Elysees.
– Arenes de Lutece: built during the first and second century, this place could hold up to 17,000 people and hosted gladiator fights. It is one of the only remaining ruins of the Gallo-Roman era in Paris.
– Assemblee Nationale: This is the seat of the French parliament. Guided tours on Saturdays. It’s also called “Le Palais Bourbon”.
– Bagatelle Castle: Built by comte d’Artois in 1777 as a folly, this castle houses a collection of decorative arts and historical items of that period.
– Beaubourg Centre: Also know as Pompidou Centre. Commissioned in 1968 and designed by British architect Richard Rogers notorious for the design that places the framework of the structure on the outside of the building (inside-out). It houses art exhibitions.
– Bibliotheque Nationale de France: This new national library is a 17 acres complex comprising four looming glass towers shaped like open books. It opened in 1996 and was designed by Dominique Perrault.
– Bourse du Commerce: Built in the 18th century, it houses the French Commodities Exchange.
– Conciergerie: Built during the 14th century, this fortress on the Ile de la Cite served as a place of torture, imprisonment and death of such notable figures as Marie Antoinette, Danton. It now makes up most of the Palais de Justice.
– Concorde Square:Called place de la Concorde, it is the largest public square in Paris. It’s central landmark is the Obelisk of Luxor that is more than 3,000 years old. It was given to Louis Phillipe by the viceroy of Egypt.
It is 75 feet hight and weights 230 tons. It was also the place of execution by guillotine of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Danton, Robespierre and 2800 others between 1793 and 1795.
– Grande Arche de la Defense: This modern arch is built in symmetry with the Arc de Triomphe, it offers a beautiful panorama ofParis from its top. It is so he that Cathedral Notre Dame could fit beneath it.
– Eglise de Saint Eustache: Gothic architecture and interior décor of Renaissance style, famous people like Moliere, Richelieu are buried in it.
– Eiffel Tower: Built to serve as a centerpiece for the Paris World’s Fair in 1889, also in commemoration of the centenary of the French Revolution. It’s 300 meters high and weights 7,000 tons, it was the world tallest building until 1930. It was originally met with disdain and nearly demolished in 1909 at the expiration of its lease, but was saved as it gained new utility as a perch for broadcast antenna.
– Hotel de Lamoignon: It contains one of the finest painted ceilings in all of Paris and currently houses the historical library of the city of Paris.
– Hotel National des Invalides: Founded in 1670 by Louis XIV to provide quarters to 4,000 old soldiers. This complex countains the largest single collection of monuments in Paris.
– Hotel de Ville – Mairie de Paris: Paris city Hall.
– Luxembourg Palace and Gardens: Built in the years 1615-1627, it was designed by architect Salomon de Brosse as a Florentine palace for Marie de Medicis. It is surrounded by magnificent gardens. It currently houses the Senate.
– Notre Dame de Paris: Begun in 1163 and located on the Ile de la Cite, it is a celebration of early Gothic architecture. The view of Paris from the clock tower is stupendous, the gargoyles are also something special.
– Observatoire de Paris: It was the first observatory built in the world and designed by architect Claude Perrault in between 1667 – 1672.
– Opera National de Paris – Garnier: Built between 1862-1875, designed by architect Charles Garnier. It’s a Neo-baroque landmark. Little well know is that there is a huge underground lake beneath its cellars.
– Opera National de Paris – Bastille: The newest of theParis opera houses, designed by Carlos Ott and inaugurated in 1989. It is characterized by the transparency of its facades.
– Palais Royal: The palais was the first theatre inFrance, hosting its first production in 1641. It has been used by Moliere and its troupe between 1660 and 1673.
– Pantheon: This massive temple and its vast necropolis houses the bodies ofFrance well known figures such as Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Zola and Jean Moulin…
– Paris Stock Exchange: Built in 1825, this imposing structure is built in the classical Greek style, it comprises 64 columns.
– Sacre-Coeur Basilique: This basilica on the butte ofMontmartre offers from the top of its dome a panoramic view ofParis. It was completed in 1914 and its bell weights 19 tons.
– Vendome Square: Famous square populated by Haute Couture fashion boutiques, it comprises a44 meter column.
– Vosges Square: Paris oldest square, surrounded by 36 houses with historical significance. First urban planning project designed in perfect symmetry. Built between 1605 and 1612.
