All about Paris

All About Paris

”Paris is not a city, it’s a world”

Paris – A city that is synonymous with romance, great food & wine, fashion and art. It’s streets and people breathe elegance and its monuments and attractions are iconic.

Known as the ‘’City of Lights’’, Paris offers architecture, fine cuisine, shopping and artistic treasures, all wrapped into the classic French beauty and atmosphere that seems to have been designed especially for the enjoyment of its visitors. There is an aura of mystery around this city, giving the sense you’ve set foot in a novel of movie, and leaving you feeling inspired and exquisite.

It’s not hard to figure out why Paris is the second most visited city in Europe and a destination that calls for not one but many visits. In the words of Audrey Hepburn; ‘’Paris is always a good idea’’.

What to see & do in Paris

Iconic Architecture

Paris has some of the most iconic buildings in the world. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and avenue des Champs-Élysées are amongst those, and should not be skipped. The building of the Louvre is an architectural masterpiece by itself, both the 160,000 square meter palace and the glass pyramid in the main courtyard. Other major monuments are the Panthéon and Les Invalides.

Paris is not all classics; you’ll be able to find modern and contemporary places as well. The Centre Pompidou and vertical garden of the Musée du Quai Branly are worth-while, as well as the concert venue La Seine Musicale.

And if you have time to step outside of the city, you’ll find unparalleled 17th and 18th century architectural styles at the monumental world heritage site of Château de Versailles.

Classic & Contemporary Art

Paris equals art. Renoir, Rodin, Picasso, Monet, Manet, Dalí & Van Gogh – these are just some of the artists who lived and worked in Paris. You can find their work and much more all over the city.

Starting at the largest museum in the world, Musée du Louvre houses Western art dating from the Middle Ages to 1848, in addition to collections of ancient oriental, Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman civilizations, as well as graphic and Islamic arts.

Musée d’Orsay showcases impressionist and art nouveau collections from 1848 to 1914, set in a former railway station. And Centre Pompidou features some of the best contemporary and modern art collections in the world.

Aside from these three most-visited museums, the city has a total of over 150 museums and art galleries. The Rodin Museum, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Musée de la l’Orangerie and Musée du Quai Branly are just a few options to visit.

Neighborhoods

Paris has a variety of districts and neighborhoods that all have a distinct style and vibe. Getting a sense of navigating all seem like a challenge, but the transportation network in the city allows you to quickly and easily get around.

Which areas are not to miss?

Île de la Cité is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Paris, and one of the two natural islands on the river the Seine, where the city was founded. Île Saint-Louis is the other island, and is smaller, charming and cozy. Stroll around the narrow streets and enjoy the local atmosphere.

The Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) is one of the liveliest and busiest areas of Paris, and a good option if you’re looking for restaurants and cafes.

Montmarte might be one of the better known and more unique districts. Positioned at 130m high, home to the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, you can get a panoramic view of the city. The area is full of painters and it is here you find the famous Moulin Rouge.

In the west of the city you’ll find La Défense, the modern side of Paris. This business district is full of skyscrapers, and houses the Grande Arche, the huge empty cube that you can climb to enjoy a view of Paris at 110m tall.

Place Vendômes, Le Marais, Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées are other places to put on your visit list.

Go Green

With more than 400 parks and gardens, Paris is one of the greenest capitals in Europe.

The main ones to put on your visitor list are Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin des Tuileries, and the green space located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, Parc du Champs de Mars.

Jardin des Plantes offers several attractions, you can visit the labyrinth, natural history museum, or La Ménagerie – one of the oldest zoos in the world.

But the top garden pick would have to be those you can find at Château de Versailles. The gardens of the palace are over 1974.84 acres, have countless types of flowers and trees, lakes, fountains, statues.

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