Paris
Le Louvre Museum
Former residence of the kings of France (from Philippe August
to Louis XIV who decided to make Versailles his residence in
1678), Le Louvre Museum exhibits collections of western art
from the Middle Age to 19th century with antiquities, paintings,
sculptures, art objects and graphic art. Some of the most famous
art masterpieces of the world can be seen at Le Louvre including
the Mona Lisa whci was acquired from Leonardo da Vinci by Francois
I.
Montmartre
Overlooking Paris, Montmartre has historically been the home
of artists. Artists still paint in La Place du Tertre square.
In this village atmosphere, people stroll along tiny and crooked
streets featuring fancy and traditional French restaurants around
the magnificent Sacré Coeur Basilica
Saint-Germain des Près
In Saint-Germain des Prés, the Medieval Paris with its
maze of little streets, the spirit of philosophers from Descartes
to Camus haunts the famous cafes such as Café de Flore
as well as the many old bookstores on any street corner. By
night, Saint-Germain is one of the most famous jazz club quarters
of the capital city.
Notre Dame Cathedral
Dominating the historical centre of Paris, Ile de la Cité,
Notre Dame Cathedral is a gothic masterpiece designed by Maurice
de Sully and was erected between 1163 and 1345. The magnificent
facades with its famous gargoyles and the gothic galleries make
Notre Dame a medieval splendour
Eiffel
Tower
The most famous monument in the world (324 metres, 10 100 tons)
the Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 for the
World Exhibition, where it was the star attraction. Information,
historical and technical explanations on the three levels, Gustave
Eiffel's office on the third one. View point indicator on the
3rd floor.
Arc de Triomphe
Commissioned by Napoleon to commemorate the victorious French
Army, the Arc de Triomphe has been a defining symbol of Paris
ever since completion in 1836. Engraved on the arch are numerous
names of important and not-so-important victories and beneath
it lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Visitors can reach
the 50m-tall (164ft) top of the arch for stunning views of Paris,
including the Louvre and the Champs-Elysées, or tour
the museum inside which charts the history and construction
of the arch.
Sightseeing on Champs Elysées
The Champs-Elysées is considered to be one of the most
elegant boulevards in the world, since it was developed in 1667.
It used to be a showground for Parisian high society who would
take walks down the tree-lined pavements, and although it now
has its fair share of car showrooms and cinemas, it still retains
an air of exclusivity, with luxury boutiques and expensive cafés.
Château de Versailles
Originally, the Château de Versailles was a hunting lodge used
by Louis XIII, father of the Sun King, Louis XIV, who made Versailles
his residence in the second part of the 17th century. This royal
palace features splendid apartments as well as magnificent gardens
which are a perfect example of French landscape gardening. Louis
XIV was very fond of architecture and, among other parts, ordered
Le Grand Trianon, a long Italian palace with its columns. The
mirror gallery and the king's room remain to this day places
not to be missed. Versailles was the political instrument and
theatre of Louis XIV. The monarchy was represented at every
level and all the organization was based on the king's personality,
sun of the Versailles universe.
Château de Chantilly Musée Condé
Raised up in the middle
of the water, in the Renaissance section of the castle, the
chambers of the Prince of Condé appear (17th to 18th centuries)
and in the section rebuilt by the Duke d'Aumale, the son of
the King Louis-Philippe, one finds his collection of paintings.
Chantilly is the first French museum of old paintings after
the Louvre (Raphaël, Poussin, Watteau, Ingres, Delacroix). Its
library reunites unique resources of respected manuscripts of
the Middle Age.
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PerryGolf
