Paris is the most important center in France, and at the same time its capital. According to statistics, over 2 million people live here. However, it is worth remembering that the Paris agglomeration extends much further than the strict borders of the city. If you count the population in this way – its population is up to 12 million. It is Paris that bears the greatest political, economic and cultural emphasis of France.
The metropolis covers an area of 105 km2. In the second half of the 19th century, it was decided to divide it into 20 districts, with each of them being administratively overseen by an internally elected mayor.
Although Paris today is an ultramodern city, it has its own historical center, the Île de la Cité. Every year, crowds of tourists visit the Latin Quarter, where the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral (still being rebuilt after a massive fire in 2019) stands. However, it is accompanied by a number of other Gothic churches, such as Sainte-Chapelle.
It is believed that Paris was founded as a result of the transformation of a Celtic settlement inhabited by the Parisians in the 3rd century BC. Later, the Celts were replaced by the Romans. Interestingly, for many centuries, Paris was ahead of cities such as Bordeaux and Lyon in terms of development and standard of living. In 508, the Romans left Paris and were replaced by the Franks. Significant changes in the city began to occur from the 11th century onwards. It is from this period that most of Paris’s medieval monuments come.
The capital of France is, in addition to being the cradle of history, the center of numerous tourist attractions. They allow you not only to admire the monuments, but also to feel the real atmosphere of the city. Here are a few suggestions that are worth putting on your list if you have a few days in Paris ahead of you.
Eiffel Tower
Whether you decide to go up or just walk under the tower, it is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the phenomenon of this city. Parisians affectionately call the Eiffel Tower the “Iron Lady”. Today, it is the most important and recognizable symbol of Paris. It was built in 1889 to celebrate the Paris World Exhibition organized in the city.
The tower rises to a height of 300 m, and can be reached by stairs or, more conveniently, by elevator. Those who have ventured to buy an entrance ticket can admire an unforgettable panorama of Paris from the top.
Louvre Museum
The most famous and one of the largest museums in the world should not only be visited by art lovers. The museum’s collection contains over 350,000 exhibits from different eras, including such famous works as the “Mona Lisa” or “Madonna of the Rocks” by Leonardo Da Vinci, as well as the statues of the Nike of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo. Seeing these works with your own eyes is a real treat. The museum was set up in a large palace complex, which was donated to the artistic community of Paris when King Louis XIV moved to Versailles.
The Louvre is recognizable not only for its characteristic Renaissance architecture, but also for the glass pyramid that constitutes the main entrance to the building.
Pompidou Center
This is a Parisian attraction from a completely different perspective. The capital of France is considered a centre of art, including contemporary art. This is proven by the Pompidou building, which houses works by the most outstanding representatives of contemporary artistic movements, such as abstractionism and expressionism. Wassily Kandinsky, Andy Warhol and Paul Jackson Pollock have all found their place here.
The very original façade of the building attracts attention – pipes of various colors run along its entire length.
Moulin Rouge and Montmartre
The area of Paris where the artistic atmosphere of the city resonates the most is Montmartre. It is full of narrow, winding streets and alleys, intimate cafes and old tenement houses that remember the times of the old artistic bohemia. This is where the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret is located – it is easy to recognize its headquarters by the characteristic red windmill on the facade.
Champs-Elysees
This is the most representative place on the map of Paris in the form of a vast avenue stretching from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. The most famous fashion designers have shops here, and the prices in the luxurious cafes and restaurants are impressive. The Champs Elysees are presented every year in television reports of the pompous celebration of the taking of the Bastille – the event that started the French Revolution. It took place on July 4, 1789.
It’s time to list the objects and places in Paris that breathe the ancient history of France and symbolize its greatness. If you want to immerse yourself in the past of the metropolis for a while, consider some of the following points during your visit.
Holy Chapel
Sainte-Chapelle literally means “holy chapel”. It is an architectural expression of the imagination of medieval craftsmen. The chapel survived the turbulent period of the French Revolution almost unscathed. The building was a private royal chapel, which was accessible to the rulers and members of their family and court. Today, Sainte-Chapelle is associated primarily with its picturesque stained glass windows.
Triumphal arch
Apart from the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe is the most recognizable structure in Paris. The structure was erected on the Place Charles-de-Gaulle in 1836, and its initiator was Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. The mighty arch was to be a tribute to the French military triumphs and was built in the style of Roman tradition. An interesting fact is that Polish surnames can also be found on the walls of the Arc de Triomphe. The ticket entitles you to enter the terrace at the top of the structure and visit the exhibition inside.
Bazylika Sacred Heart
The construction of this picturesque temple began in 1876 and lasted for over 40 years. The basilica dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was to be an expression of gratitude from its two originators – Alexandre Legentil and Hubert Rohault de Fleury – for saving the city during the German siege after the war with Prussia at the end of the 19th century. Although the church arouses many controversies, its shape is undoubtedly strongly associated with the image of the city.
The building is a combination of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture – it does not resemble traditional Roman temples. Sacre Coeur was designed on the plan of a Greek cross, and the most impressive are the four massive domes.
It is worth visiting not only for the historical and sacral value of the basilica, but also for the wonderful views. From the terrace below, another unforgettable panorama of Paris stretches out.
Pere-Lachaise Cemetery
Everyone has probably heard of this Parisian necropolis. The tombstones alone are the quintessence of small cemetery architecture of the highest order. Famous people such as Edith Piaf, Molière and Jim Morrison are buried at Pere-Lachaise. There are also Polish accents. During your stay in Paris, it is worth visiting the grave of Fryderyk Chopin.
Our Lady of Katedra
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame is located on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris. It remains a symbol of French culture and spirituality. A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Known for its impressive stained glass windows, sculptures and gargoyles, it attracts millions of tourists each year.
In 2019, it suffered serious damage from a fire that damaged the roof and spire. Currently, intensive renovation is underway. reconstruction of the Notre-Dame Cathedralaimed at restoring it to its former glory.
The Musée du Louvre has already been mentioned, but it is not the only museum in the French capital. Equally impressive collections of works of art can be admired in the nearby Musée d’Orsay. Other Parisian museums worth visiting include:
- Orangerie Museum,
- Picasso Museum,
- Eugène Delacroix Museum,
- Pantheon,
- Nissim de Camondo Museum.
These are of course just some of the items on the museum list. Importantly, people under 26 can use the full range of museum facilities completely free of charge – upon presentation of an identity card. In turn, museums available for free without any age restrictions include:
- Arena of Lutetia,
- Shoah Memorial,
- Compagnonnage Museum-Library,
- Curie Museum (Radium Institute),
- National Air and Space Museum,
- Fragonard Perfume Museum,
- Le Plateau – Contemporary art center.
In some facilities, only the permanent exhibition is free of charge, while entry to temporary exhibitions is subject to a fee. Detailed information can be found on the websites of individual museums.
To experience at least a fraction of the Parisian spirit, you should spend at least four days exploring the city. Of course, Paris for a weekend is also a great option, but you have to reckon with the fact that the list of places to see will be much shorter. In such a case, it is better to skip museum interiors and focus on the greatest symbols of the French capital.
The fastest and most convenient means of transport is by plane. You can fly from Poland to Paris from Warsaw, Krakow, but also from Poznan or Gdansk – also with low-cost airlines. If your trip is budget-oriented, it is best to choose a connection to Beauvais-Tille. The airport only serves carriers offering low-cost flights, but landing there means a longer journey to the city. A taxi or bus will take about 1.5 hours, and the distance is over 60 kilometers.
You can get to the city centre much faster if you land at Charles de Gaulle Airport. From there, you can start your journey on a special train that stops even in central Paris.
It is worth taking a look at the French capital from a bird’s eye view because of its intriguing street layout – it can also be seen from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. The city’s most important arteries start in the city centre in a star-shaped manner and branch off in different directions. This shows that Paris is a city with a concentric character. This principle also applies to the numbering of districts, integrated with the clockwise movement. Paris also hides a number of other interesting facts. One of them is the fate of the Eiffel Tower. Today, it is impossible to imagine Paris without it, but the structure was supposed to be dismantled after 20 years.
Want to see it all with your own eyes? Start tracking your flights and packing your backpack. Paris will amaze you with its diversity, as well as its class and charm.
Source: geekweek.interia.pl
