Paris in France

Think of Paris and the word romance comes to mind, and while it is true to say that Paris does not dissapoint in this area, there is much more to Paris than this. For example, researching this online guided tour proved there is so much to see and so many beautiful pictures to show, that not surprisingly the problem became reducing them to a single page. In this respect, we do not show literally everything to see and do in Paris, just some of its highlights. If you manage to experience most of the places shown in this guided tour, then you have definitely been to Paris and hopefully enjoyed romance along the way!

We start our guided tour of Paris by arriving at either the airport or the international railway station. Charles de Gaulle Airport is the busiest airport in Europe, handling over 1,500 flights a day. It first opened in 1974 and now consists of three terminals, with others currently under construction. Trains and buses take passengers to and from central Paris (about 25km).

The airport is famous for its escalators, that seem to go everywhere!
Photo © fxp (CC)

The Gare du Nord is one of six large rail stations in Paris, first opened in 1864. By number of travellers (around 180 million per year), it is the busiest station in Europe, and the third-busiest railway station in the world. The railway station serves trains to the north of France, as well as various international destinations such as the UK, Belgium and The Netherlands. To the visitor the Gare du Nord has one massive advantage over the airport, it is already located in the heart of Paris!

The Paris Métro is a great way to get around the city and discover its famous sights. The first of 14 lines was opened in 1900 and the metro system now carries over 4 million passengers a day, making it the second busiest metro in the world. You can buy a single ticket for about €1,60, but you can save money by buying a a carnet of 10 tickets for around €11 at the ticket window of any Métro station or from vending machines near the turnstiles. Ask for "une billet, s'il vous plait" or "un carnet, s'il vous plait." - it worked for me!

The first stop on our tour is the Eiffel Tower, an icon of Paris and a tower built totally of iron on the Champ de Mars beside the Seine River. Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest building in Paris. More than 200 million people have visited the tower since its construction in 1889, making it the most visited paid monument in the world.

The tower has three main levels, with the first and second levels accessible by both stairs and lifts, but the third level is only accessible by lift. If you choose the stairs, there are 328steps to the first level and a further 340steps to the second level. However way you decide to climb the tower, you are rewarded by spectacular views in all directions, day and night; with the best views reserved for those that make the very top.

When you arrive by lift at the very top, a walkway allows you to take in the spectacular views in all directions; alternatively for the brave, there is a very scary view down - all 325 metres (1,063 feet) of it!

The view across Paris towards the Sacre Coeur, from the top of the Eiffel Tower
Photo © law keven (CC)

The view of the River Seine from the top of the Eiffel Tower
Photo © etcname (CC)

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a Roman Catholic church and a popular landmark in Paris, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and dating from the 1870's. The basilica is located on the lofty summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. Not surprisingly, you get wonderful views over Paris from the terrace - day and night. You can take a look inside the church and even climb up the inside of the dome to get great views over Paris from the top.

From the Sacre Coeur steps lead down to Montmatre below. Montmatre is a contemporary area of Paris, made famous by its penny less street artists, including Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso, who lived here in late 19th and early 20th century. Today the area is a lovely mix of old houses, gardens, steep streets, pavement cafe's and artists selling paintings to tourists.

Street artists in the market place
Photo © Inh00d (CC)

Towards the edge of Montmatre you will find the Pigalle, the red light district of Paris. The area is largely known for a wide variety of sex shops and shows, but the area also contains a concentration of stores specializing in instruments for rock music. The most famous attraction in the area is the Moulin Rouge and this draws large crowds of tourists wishing to experience Paris by Night!

Photo © Goldmund100 (CC)

The Arc de Triomphe sits proudly in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle and is a monument to honour all those that have fought for France, particularly those during the Napoleonic Wars. At the end of World War 1, a French pilot flew his biplane under the arch and the event was even captured on newsreel to prove it! Visitors can walk around the arch and even climb stairs to the top for fabulous views along the Champs Élysées.

The Place de la Concorde is one of the major squares in Paris. The square was set out in 1755, filled with statues and named Place Louis XV to honour the then king. It was renamed Place de la Concorde after the French Revolution, when many people suffered death by the guillotine in the square. The square today features many statues, fountains and an obelisk, originating from Luxor in Egypt.

Along the banks of the Seine is the Palais de Louvre, a former royal palace, now home to the famous Louvre Museum. The word Louvre actually means "fortified place" and this medieval palace was the seat of French power until moved to Versailles in 1682. The Palace buildings date back to the medieval period, with its present structure evolving in stages since the 16th century and almost forming a rectangle with a series of glass pyramids at its centre. The pyramids were added in 1988 and the larger pyramid forms the entrance to the Louvre Museum itself. The Louvre Museum is France's national museum and houses over 30,000 exhibits, dating from the 6thmillennium BC to the 19thcentury AD. Highlights include the Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa and the Marly Horses.

Notre Dame de Paris is a Gothic cathedral situated on the Île de la Cité, an island in the middle of the River Seine. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Paris and is widely considered as one of the first and finest examples of French Gothic architecture. The name Notre Dame means "Our Lady" in French and construction began in 1163, with the famous twin towers built in 1200. It is a glorious church with much to see, including the stone sculptures, flying buttresses, western facade and inside, stained glass windows, the treasury, the bells and the cathedral organ.

Inside the nave of Notre Dame
Photo © Richard Ellis (CC)

Also on the Île de la Cité is the magical Sainte Chapelle, built by Louis IX in 1248 to house relics of Christ, the highlight of which was alleged to be the crown of thorns. The Royal upper chapel sits above a lower chapel, used by commoners, with both chapels decorated by many magnificent stained glass windows, depicting scenes from the Bible.

Located in the Latin Quarter of Paris is the Panthéon, a church dedicated to "all the Gods" and styled on the Pantheon in Rome. The church dates from 1744 when King Louis XV vowed that if he recovered from an illness he would replace the ruined church of Sainte-Geneviève - he did recover and he did replace the church. It became a famous burial place and today is home to the tombs of many of France's good and great.

The relief work above the entrance says and shows France giving a grateful homeland to its great men
Photo © Copeau (CC)

The Musee d'Orsay was originally a railway station and the Paris terminus for the Orleans railway company. It closed as a railway station as its platforms were too short for modern trains and amazingly the building was nearly demolished during the 1970's; but thankfully it was saved and converted to a museum of art. It holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1915, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography, and is probably best known for its extensive collection of impressionist masterpieces by painters such as Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cezanne.

The Musee d'Orsay on the southbank of the River Seine
Photo © Sanchezn (CC)

Among the military buildings, museums and monuments of Les Invalides you will find the Dome church, built at the request of King Louis XIV in 1676 and reserved for the exclusive use of royal tombs. Its most notable tomb is the sarcophagus of Napoleon Bonaparte, who died in 1821 and his remains were buried here in 1861 in a prominent position underneath the church dome.

For another great view over Paris, climb the Tour Montparnasse, a 210-meter (689 feet) tall office skyscraper. The 59 floors are mainly offices, but the top floor has an observation deck that gives great views over the city of Paris. Some say it gives the best views of Paris, as it is the only view from where you cannot see the tower itself!

And finally, no trip to Paris is complete without several trips to a local Cafe and a browse around some of the shops!