Secondary to Disneyland Paris park, Walt Disney Studios opened in 2002 and gives visitors a "behind-the-scenes" look at the magic of filmmaking. Organized into 4 different lots, as in movie lots, the park offers families a variety of attractions for all ages. For the little ones, there is Toy Story Playland with rides and attractions from the beloved film. For the older kids, there is an Aerosmith-theme rollercoaster, the deathly Tower of Terror and the thrilling Moteurs Action! live action stunt show. Everyone will enjoy taking a trip back in time and strolling through Hollywood Boulevard during the golden age of film.
This château has two significantly inspired events. One was the tragic downfall of Fouquet, a minister who paid the price of life imprisonment because King Louis XIV was jealous of his beautiful château. And under the influence of Fouquet, Vaux-le-Vicomte became a haven for French artists, writers and sculptors who gave their all for the glory of the residence. Check the website for information on the different visits. There is a candlelight visit that is going to be apt for all the lovebirds. Hours vary throughout the year and you can buy passes for more than one day; see the website or call for more information.
Located in the centre of the city within the Palais de Justice complex on the Île de la Cite, the Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel) is a small Gothic chapel constructed in the Rayonnant style. Built by King Louis IX from 1238-1244, the chapel housed holy relics from the Passion believed to be Jesus' Crown of Thorns and a piece of the True Cross. These items were purchased from the Byzantine emperor Baldwin II in 1239 for a huge sum of 135,000 Livres (the church cost 40,000 livres to build) due to the King's desire to elevate France as the leader of Western Christianity. The Sainte-Chapelle provides visitors with a spectacular visual experience since the entire upper tier of the chapel is surrounded by enormous stained glass windows.
Nearly 2.5 million visitors each year come to see Musée d'Orsay's mammoth collection of French art. The building itself, called the Gare d'Orsay, was built as a railway station in 1900; the principal gallery of the ground floor, 138 meters long (453 feet) and 32 meters tall (105 feet), is a reminder of the building's history. Among the masterpieces in this gallery are the scandalous à Ornans by Gustave Courbet and the lane uses by Jean-François Millet. Fans of impressionism should head directly up to the fifth floor, where works by the greatest masters of this genre can be found.
Underneath the glaze of the Parisian sky, the Eiffel Tower captures the dazzling spirit of its French capital. A magnificent wrought iron lattice tower that was originally built as an entrance to the 1889 World's Fair, the tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel after his inspiration was fueled by the pyramidal form of Egypt's historic landmarks. This comparison was met with ardent disapproval from several eminent Frenchmen before the tower came to be the celebrated global icon that it is known as today. At a stunning height of 324 meters (1,063 feet), the Eiffel Tower dominates the skyline as the city's tallest, and the country's second-tallest freestanding structure. Its majestic form sports three shades – darkest at the lowest level and colored in a light contrast as the tower ambles up to the top – an illusory mechanism adopted so as to complement its surroundings. The Eiffel Tower is one of the most winning sights in all of France, and even after more than a century, people continue to extol this monumental symbol of architectural beauty.
The Louvre Museum houses one of the largest collections of artwork and antiquities in the world. The museum is located inside the Louvre Palace, which was built in the 12th century as a fortress by Philip II. After Louis XIV, he decided to move his court to Versailles, the palace was occupied by a variety of institutions related to the arts. The museum was first opened under the National Assembly in 1793. The establishment is divided into sections, including drawing, painting and sculpture, and houses antiquities from Egypt, Rome, Greece, and several other cultures. Visitors to the museum can explore its many wings and see some of the most famous works like the Mona Lisa , Venus de Milo and Liberty Leading the People .
Set against an adventurous backdrop where both kids and adults can enjoy, Davy Crockett's Adventure Park makes for a perfect weekend outing. A tight rope bridges the gap between two trees in the park, and visitors can traverse this distance in the utmost safe and fun manner. The park comprises of several play areas, with varying difficulty levels for adults and kids. There is also a zip-line suspension for a more thrilling experience.
Secondary to Disneyland Paris park, Walt Disney Studios opened in 2002 and gives visitors a "behind-the-scenes" look at the magic of filmmaking. Organized into 4 different lots, as in movie lots, the park offers families a variety of attractions for all ages. For the little ones, there is Toy Story Playland with rides and attractions from the beloved film. For the older kids, there is an Aerosmith-theme rollercoaster, the deathly Tower of Terror and the thrilling Moteurs Action! live action stunt show. Everyone will enjoy taking a trip back in time and strolling through Hollywood Boulevard during the golden age of film.
Located just a short train ride away from central Paris, the Disneyland resort faced some opposition when it first opened its doors in 1992. Any controversies seem to be all forgotten, Disneyland Paris is now the most visited tourist attraction in Europe, receiving over 15 million visitors every year - that's more than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower combined. Like other Disney parks around the world, expect to see familiar staples such as Sleeping Beauty castle, Pirates of the Caribbean, Fantasyland and rugged Frontierland. Adventureland is unique, it has an Aladdin theme, including a bazaar and restaurant. Transportation to the park from central Paris is quite easy, just take RER C to Marne-la-Vallé. Train station is located right at the gate of the park. For families wishing to spend a few days exploring the park, there are several fantastic Disney-owned hotels in the area including the impressive art deco Disney's New York Hotel.
La Ferme du Buisson brings art forms alive through their theatrical performances, interactive exhibits and art collections. Housed in a historic 19th-century structure, the striking facade is instantly recognizable for its brick and wood architecture. Dedicated to contemporary art in all its forms, this center is a hub of creative energy and dynamic artistic exploration. From dance to circus performances and concerts, the program line up is innovative and always evolving. A great place to visit for its historic value as well as its avant-garde performing art, La Ferme du Buisson is an art lover's haven.
Musée de la Grande Guerre du Pays de Meaux takes you a systematic journey through some of the key events from world war one. With a good collection of arms and ammunition used by both sides, this museum showcases some spine-chilling accounts and facts of the war. Among its collection are also a number of tanks, aircraft and other vehicles, along with miniature battlefield reconstructions, uniforms and medals.
This château has two significantly inspired events. One was the tragic downfall of Fouquet, a minister who paid the price of life imprisonment because King Louis XIV was jealous of his beautiful château. And under the influence of Fouquet, Vaux-le-Vicomte became a haven for French artists, writers and sculptors who gave their all for the glory of the residence. Check the website for information on the different visits. There is a candlelight visit that is going to be apt for all the lovebirds. Hours vary throughout the year and you can buy passes for more than one day; see the website or call for more information.