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Best Historic Locations in Paris

, 32 Options Found

Île de la Cité's is one of two natural islands located within the city of Paris. This island is entirely shaped by the Seine River and located in the heart of the city. Many historians believe that the first group of people, a small Gallic tribe, settled on the island in 52 BC. It has been inhabited ever since by the likes of Romans, Merovingians, and contemporary French citizens. Visitors will find some of the city's most recognizable monument on the isle, including Notre-Dame, La Place Dauphine and Sainte Chapelle, to name only a few. These structures on Île de la Cité serve as an excellent representation of the beauty and architecture for which Paris is famous.

Named after King Louis IX, this island in the Seine River is known to be the birthplace of Parisian civilization. Connected by many bridges to Paris, Île Saint-Louis is a sanctuary from the bustle of the city. Untouched by modernization, this small wonder has many markets, bakeries, cafes, boutiques and historic attractions. One of the most significant monuments is the St Louis en l'Ile Church, an ethereal chapel built in 1662. Indulge your palate for fine food at the numerous restaurants around the island. Suitable for all budgets whether it is dining, shopping or just sight seeing, Île Saint-Louis will charm you with its centuries-old splendor.

Indisputably one of the most opulent buildings, the Palace of Versailles is the epitome of French royalty. Louis XIV commissioned architects Louis Le Vau and Jules Hardouin to build the Château de Versailles in 1664, on the site of his father's small hunting lodge. It became one of the largest palaces in Europe, accommodating up to 20,000 courtiers at a time. The interiors are extravagant and the highlights include the Royal Apartments and the world renowned Hall of Mirrors. The Grand Trianon (1687) and the Petit Trianon (1762) are also in the park. In the year 1919, the Hall of Mirrors played a significant role in world politics for being the place where the Treaty of Versailles was signed. An outstanding exemplar of the French Baroque architecture to this day, this UNESCO World Heritage Site palace enthralls visitors with its opulence and legends.

The first church was built in 475. It housed the tomb of Saint-Denis, who according to legend, carried his head there after he was beheaded. In the 12th Century, the first stone of the basilica was laid. Therein followed the construction of the nave and the chancel, which is decorated with ornate rose windows. This abbey is a prime example of Gothic architecture. At one time, all French monarchs were buried here. During the French Revolution, the Basilica of Saint Denis was pillaged and the bodies exhumed. The 13th and 14th-century funerary sculptures, and the archaeological and Roman crypts are remarkable.

This imposing building wasn't built in a day. In the 12th Century, King Philippe-Auguste commissioned the construction of a manor house in the Bois de Vincennes. It was fortified two centuries later. Its flamboyant Gothic-style chapel wasn't finished until the 15th Century and it was King Louis XV who, in the 18th Century, added the King and Queen's pavilions. The First Empire saw the takeover by the army of the castle, which became an arsenal. There are today two museums in the dungeon and the royal pavilions. The Sainte-Chapelle has a nave and rose-windows in magnificent stone.

Napoléon Bonaparte (b.1769) died in exile on the Isle of St. Helena in 1821. Apparently the French thought better of him after his death and in 1840 his remains were returned to France and this magnificent memorial that was built between 1843-53 now serves as his final resting place. Visitors can observe the giant sarcophagus. The layout has a total of five gigantic blocks. Along the walls is etched a chronicle of Napoléon's victories that add counter-point to the grandeur of the vault. Napoléon's Tomb is set in Les Invalides that was built by Louis XIV originally as a hospital for injured soldiers. Musee de l'Armee, the French war museum, is also located here.

Established in 1900 for the Worlds Fair Exhibition, Grand Palais stores a great treasury of history within its boundaries. The beautiful structure has attracted many a tourist through the years and why not, the architecture is breathtaking. The glass ceiling and walls allow a flood of natural light to immerse the objects within. There's a lot for you to explore here: Nef du Grand Palais, Palais de la découverte and Galeries nationales du Grand Palais.

The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel punctuates the splendid landscape of one of Paris' iconic squares. Within stumbling distance of the Musée du Louvre and the ornamental gardens on Place du Carrousel, this triumphal arch is a must visit. Built in 1806, it is an ode to the glories of Napoleon I's army and is inspired by the Arch of Constantine in Rome. Two arches flank a taller central arch, and the perimeter of the 19-meter (63-foot) monument is surrounded by eight Corinthian columns. Statues of soldiers cap the columns and bas-reliefs representing battles are carved on the pediment. The quadriga on the top is reminiscent to the Horses of Saint Mark at St Mark's Basilica.

Famous for housing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Arc de Triomphe is a site of memories, current events, and celebrations. Construction of the Arc de Triomphe began in 1806 and was completed thirty years later. Standing in a direct line between the Louvre and the Grande Arche de la Défense, the monument links the past with the present and offers amazing views of the city from atop the arch. Many of France's famous leaders, dictators, writers, and artists have passed under its arch on the way to their final resting place, including Napoleon and Victor Hugo. A closer look at the arc reveals six evocative reliefs carved into its historic facade, portraying key highlights and events that transpired during the French Revolution and Napoleon's reign.

Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés was a city on the outskirts of Paris during the Middle Ages. It functioned as a mausoleum of the Merovingian dynasty. Established in 558 CE, this abbey exhibits the remains of innumerable wars, and architectural styles spanning from the 8th to the 18th Century. The ancient city has been demolished and the church stands as a lone survivor. One must not miss the tombs of famous personalities like René Descartes, King Childebert I and King John II Casimir Vasa. Visitors can also explore multiple chapels, and a 12th-century ambulatory and chancel.

Palais Bourbon in Paris is home to the French National Assembly. It is a beautiful historic building with Renaissance architecture. It was formerly a palace constructed for the daughter of Louis XIV. This beautiful structure was designed by Lorenzo Giardini and Jules Hardouin-Mansart. It is also known as the maison de plaisance and it overlooks the river Seine. Hôtel de Lassay, next to this building is the official residence of the National Assembly's President. Palais Bourbon has a beautiful collection of paintings, sculptures, medals and furniture. Guided tours for big groups can be organized.

Hidden beneath "The City of Light" is a dark underworld, the final resting place of more than six million Parisians. The Catacombs of Paris are underground ossuaries formed of a network of tunnels, caves, and quarries filled with mortal remains, where the former citizens of Paris now form a part of its foundation. As Paris went on its way to becoming an important hub, thousands flocked to the city. This spurred justified concerns about the limited cemetery space, leading to the creation of the catacombs in 1810 at the site of the old Montrouge stone quarries. Although in use as an ossuary as early as the 1780s, it was not until this time that the catacombs were organized. The bones were arranged as per the cemeteries they were taken from, creating a subterranean skeletal world, where the last of the lot were brought down in 1860. During World War II, this network of galleries was used as a hideaway for the Résistance movement; its vastness and the discretion of its entrances were great assets indeed. These ossuaries, illustrated by texts, create a chilling atmosphere and describe some of the defining events in the history of Paris, giving visitors substance for meditation. It is also occasionally used as a macabre venue for concerts, parties and other events.

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