Paris’ legendary Metro system offers an effective and enjoyable means of transit around the city, with most destinations within 500 meters from a station, providing 16 lines as options to get where you need to be.
Though visual art often receives the spotlight in France’s capital city, France is also an historic literary hub. Saint-Germain in particular was an intellectual hotbed where great writers and thinkers once convened in its cafes and streets.
The Louvre
Since 1793, the Louvre has served as a museum since it first became a royal palace – boasting collections spanning eight centuries. When Napoleon Bonaparte came into power he renamed it the Musee Napoleon and significantly increased the collections through works from military campaigns as well as donations made directly by individuals. Additionally he engaged the best painters, sculptors, and gilders of his time to design rooms within the Louvre that could showcase his treasures.
Today, the Louvre is one of the world’s greatest art museums and home to iconic masterpieces like Mona Lisa and Winged Victory of Samothrace – as well as less-famous works such as palace itself and Tuileries gardens. You could spend an entire day here; so planning ahead can save time.
Highlights at the Louvre include its renowned collections of Egyptian antiquities; Near Eastern art; Greek, Etruscan and Roman art; paintings and sculptures as well as nine curatorial departments that showcase 35,000 pieces – many considered canonical works of art by experts worldwide.
For maximum enjoyment during your visit, why not consider booking an audio tour with one? That way you’ll hear comments on essential works as you move through at your own pace.
Visit the Napoleon III Apartments, constructed in 1861 for Achille Fould, Minister of State. These were later used for official receptions and balls; their grand drawing room could even host theater shows for up to 250 guests! Furthermore, these apartments now house the Musee National Eugene Delacroix dedicated solely to this great painter.
The Arc de Triomphe
One of Paris’s most celebrated monuments, the Arc de Triomphe (or ‘arc de l’Etoile’) serves as an unforgettable reminder of France’s turbulent history and stands as a powerful monument representing its triumphs and tragedies. Here you can connect with past events while witnessing military combat first-hand while paying homage to those who gave their lives fighting for their nation.
Design by Jean-Francois Chalgrin and completed in 1836, this monument commemorates France’s victories during the Napoleonic Wars. Representing their troops’ win at Austerlitz against Prussia, and remembering all who died for their nation. Unique to other triumphal arches worldwide, its inner surface features inscribed names of wars fought and generals involved; additionally it’s decorated with sculptures such as Pradier’s “The Renowned”, while its entablature features “Departure of Volunteers from 1792” which inspired its national anthem–La Marseillaise.
As its Roman ancestor, it served as a parade gateway and stage for important ceremonies. Between 1940 and 1944, Nazi goose-stepped daily down Champs-Elysees while marching under its arch. Later on, after victory was achieved at the end of World War II, its arches were covered with flowers to celebrate this triumphant milestone in French history.
Prior to visiting, visitors must keep in mind that the arch’s viewing platform is located 164ft/50m high via 284 steps and that climbing them will provide spectacular views alone. But the real draw of visiting is seeing where Unknown Soldier lies buried underneath: this experience can be both moving and sobering – especially as 2014 marked 100 years since World War One started and remains open daily from 9am-6pm for public visitation.
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower, created by French engineer Gustave Eiffel and constructed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, has become one of the world’s most recognisable structures. Made out of wrought iron lattice tower, its height reaches 324 metres – at completion it was the tallest human-made structure ever constructed – while an estimated seven million visitors visit annually, making it Europe’s most-visited paid monument.
Eiffel saved it from destruction by encouraging scientific experiments at the site – initially in astronomy and later radio and wireless telegraphy. By the end of World War One, it even served as a communications hub for ground and naval troops.
Paris’ artistic elite were not enthusiastic about this tower – known as a “metal asparagus”. Charles Gounod, Guy de Maupassant and Alexandre Dumas junior wrote letters in opposition of it to Le Temps newspaper to protest this tower and claimed it would mar its picturesque beauty.
But time has been kind to the Eiffel Tower despite its critics. Over time, its appeal was recognized by poets, painters and composers and has come to represent Paris itself. Today it stands as a national symbol for France as well as being known worldwide as an iconic tourist attraction and unmistakable landmark of Paris – its light shows captivating visitors while its beacon continues lighting the night over this city of love – it was ultimately an investment which paid off and cemented Paris and France’s place as iconic nations.