Sights in Paris, France

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower stands at 1050 feet and is one of Paris' most distinctive symbols.  Although the structure appears delicate, it weighs 10,100 metric tons and the complex pattern of iron girders (held together by 2.5 million rivets), stabilises the tower in high winds.  In 2006 when we visited Paris, we took the hydraulic lift up to the top, so we decided not to do that this time.  Besides it was very busy and the line-ups for the lifts were very long on the Sunday that we visited.  

Arc de Triomphe

Another one of Paris' distinctive symbols, the Arc de Triomphe stands at the top of the Champs Elysees.  Work began on the 164 feet arch in 1806, but it was only completed in 1836.  The arc is Napoleon's triumphal arch and celebrates his battle victories.  We visited the viewing platform on the top of the arch and it gave us spectacular views of Paris.  

Avenue Des Champs Elysees

The Champs Elysees is one of the most famous avenues in the world.  It runs from the place de la Concorde (see below) to the place Charles de Gaulle (where the Arc de Triomphe is located).  Charles de Gaulle is also know as L'Etoile (the star) because of the 12 busy avenues that radiate out from it.   Champs Elysees is a lovely tree-lined street with beautiful shops and cafes.  The Champs Elysees is a five minute walk from the Le Royal Monceau Hotel where we stayed, so it was very convenient for us to get to.     

Pont Alexandre III
Said to be the most beautiful bridge in Paris, the Pont Alexandre III was built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition.  It was built to give visitors access across the River Seine to the Grand and Petit Palaces.  The bridge shows the steel architecture and ornate Art Nouveau style that was popular at the time.  

 Grand Palais

The Grand Palais, a splendid exhibition hall was built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900.  The Art Nouveau style of the Grand Palais building is topped by a huge glass roof.  It is said that the roof can be seen from all over Paris and it is a landmark of the Champs Elysees.  Today the Grand Palais is still used as an exhibition hall.  

Petit Palais

The Petit Palais is situated across the street from the Grand Palais and like the Grand Palais, it was built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900.  It shares a similar style to the Grand Palais, but is smaller in size.  It is still used today as an exhibition hall.  

Place De La Concorde

This historic octagonal square lies between the Champs Elysees and Jardin des Tuileries (see below).  The square was built between 1755-1775 as the grand setting for a statue of Louis XV, but by 1792 it became the Place de la Revolution where Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette and more that 1000 others were executed.  In 1795, in the spirit of reconciliation it received its present name.  

The square features two fountains, statues and the central obelisk, which stands at 75 feet tall and is covered in hieroglyphics.  This obelisk was a a gift from Egypt and is from a 3300 year-old Luxor temple.  

Jardin des Tuileries 

This is the wide stretch of garden from the Place De La Concorde that leads all the way to the Louvre.  These gardens were first laid out in the 17th century as part of the old Tuileries Palace.  These gardens have been open to the general public since 1664 and it is a lovely area to stroll down.  The walkways are lined with lime and chestnut trees, and there is a huge fountain in the centre.  At the Louvre end is the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel which was erected by Napoleon in 1808.

Centre Georges Pompidou

One of the things I love about Paris is the architecture.  The beautiful old buildings, churches and palaces are part of what gives the city its charm.  With that said, it is hard to imagine that amongst all the old buildings, lies one of the world's most famous pieces of modern architecture.  The Centre Georges Pompidou was opened in 1977 and the idea that the architects had was to turn the building "inside out", with brightly coloured pipes displayed on the facade.  One of the building's striking features is the external escalator that snakes up the building in a glass tube.  

The Centre Georges Pompidou is home to the Musee National d'Art Moderne (Modern Art Museum), but unfortunately on the day I visited the centre it was closed, so I could not see any of the displays.

The Pantheon

In 1744, Louis XV pledged to dedicate a prestigious church to Sainte Genevieve, to whom he attributed his recovery from a serious illness.  The building of the magnificent Pantheon was completed in 1790 and Louis XV dedicated it to Sainte Genevieve.  It was originally built as a church and was intended to look like the Pantheon in Rome, hence the name.  For two periods during the 19th century it was home to Christian worship, before becoming a public building in 1885 with the funeral of Victor Hugo.  Thereafter it became the final resting place for the city's great citizens.  Amongst those buried in the Crypt are Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Louis Braille, Emile Zola and Marie Curie to name a few.

The main hall of the Pantheon is absolutely beautiful with huge murals on the walls, the stunning dome in the centre and Foucault's Pendulum also in the centre.  In 1851 French physicist Jean Foucault suspended a weight from the dome.  The weight swung back and forth, and as its position moved in relation to the floor below, so Foucault was able to prove his theory of the earth's rotation.  

Place De La Madeleine

Designed in the style of a Greek temple, the Le Madeleine church is situated in the centre of this lovely square in Paris' financial district.  The church was consecrated to Mary Magdalene in 1845 and is today one of the city's most distinct sights with the 52 Corinthian columns surrounding the church.  

The square itself is surrounded by some of the finest epiceries (food stores) and speciality shops.  Shops like Hediard, Fauchon, Caviar Kaspia, La Maison de la Truffe, La Maison du Miel and Boutique Maille can all be found in this area.  It is a lovely area to visit and do some window shopping.