Holiday travel: Paris

Paris

Paris is known throughout the world as the ‘’City of Lights’’. Last year over 70 milion tourists, from all over the world, visited the ‘’City of Lights’’. It is synonymous with all that is French. This fairy-like city is city of love, art, fashion and inspiration. Paris is celebrated for its museums, its beautiful city plan, its architecture, cathedrals, bridges, wide and luxurious boulevards, parks, shopping and numerous monuments.

The Seine River

The Seine River divide Paris, in the middle of river is the Ille de la Cite. The right bank of river is known for being the commercial heart of city, and the left bank of river is home to the University of Paris. The Seine river is used for tourism and transportation. There are many boats, called ‘’bateaux mouches’’, which circling around the Ille de la Cite and give tours of the city. On these tours you can see the bridges, the main monuments and cathedrals, it is a great view on Notre Dame from boat.

The Eiffel Tower

The symbol of Paris and France is The Eiffel Tower, La Tour Eiffel in French. The French have the nickname for the tower ‘’The Iron Lady’’ - La Dame de Fer. The structure of the tower were designed by Gustave Eiffel. It was erected in the Champ-de-Mars for the Paris exposition on 1889. to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution. The Eiffel Tower rises 324 meter above the the town. If you want to reach the first two levels you must take lifts or use the steps , there are 704 steps to the second level. Each level offers to you a broad range of visual, taste and cultural experiences, you can admire the whole of Paris. Every year more than 7 milion people visits this icon of Paris.

The Louvre

Originaly a royal palace, The Louvre, is now the world’s famous museum. Anyone with at least a slight interest in art must visit it. This magnificient, baroque-style palace and museum sits along the banks of the Siene River. The Palace was built by Philip II in the late 12th century. In 1989, modern addition, the Louvre Pyramid was inagurated, which functions as the museum’s main entrance. The Louvre has one of the most impresive art collections in world. The Mona Lisa and the Venus of Milo are some of the museum’s most celebrated works of art.

Venus de Milo

The Notre Dame Cathedral Paris

The Notre Dame Cathedral Paris, which means ‘’Our Lady of Paris in French, is a beautiful cathedral on Ille de la Cite in Paris. Even 13 milion visitors each year come to see this, widely considering, one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world. The cornerstone was laid in 1163 and mostly completed in 1250. It is also an active Catholic church, a place of pilgrimage, religious events still take place here. The Notre Dame Cathedral is full of magnificient sculptures, stained glass windows, furniture and many valuable items. Tourists can go inside the cathedral to view and enjoy these pieces for a small fee.

The Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the center of the Place Charles de Gauelle. Napoleon was commisioned the arch in 1806 to commemorated his victories. The Arc de Triomphe is adorned with many reliefs. Most of these reliefs commemorating the emperor’s battles. The Departure of the Volunteers in 1792 , also known as Marseillaise, is the best known relief. There is a viewing platform at the top of the arch, from where you have a great views. It is a best place to admire the taut geometry of Paris’s urban plan, the Eiffel Tower in its entirety . In the arch is no elevator so be prepared to walk up 234 steps, don’t be deterred , it worth.

The Palace of Versailles

One of the largest and the most opulent castles in the world is The Palace of Versailles. In the mid-17 th century Louis XVI transformed his father’s hunting lodge into the monumental castle. It is situated in the leafy, bourgeois suburb of Versails. Le Brun and his hundreds of artisans decorated every wall, door, ceiling, moulding with the most luxurious: frescos, marble, gilt and woodcarving. The Hall of Mirrors is one of the most eye-catching features of the Palaca Versailles, which is characterized with 17 wide, arcaded mirrors opposite 17 windows . The Grand Apartment of King Louis XIV, also known as The Apartment of the Planets, is famous because a painting of a planet decorating each of the seven salonswithin the apartment. Around the palace is an impressive garden, take a walk through the landscapes geometric paths and manicured lawns. There are lot of beautiful fountains, the gardens largest fountain is Bassin the Neptune.