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.
Apenas algumas pessoas sabem que o terceiro maior museu do mundo servia como a principal residência dos reis franceses e imperadores por seis séculos. A velha fortaleza foi erguida em 1190 sob o reinado de Filipe Augusto para proteger o reino da invasão das tribos do norte (os Vikings). Durante o século XIV, o palácio foi estendido pelo Charles V e tornou-se pela primeira vez a sede da residência real. As maiores mudanças no palácio original foram efetuadas sob as ordens do rei François I. A medieval Grosse Tour foi destruída e substituída por um sumptuoso palácio, ainda considerado uma obra-prima da arquitectura renascentista. Em 1594, Henri IV decidiu construir uma passagem entre o Palácio do Louvre e o Palácio Tuileries, ainda conhecido como o "Grande Galeria". O "Cour Carrée" foi parte de um vasto programa conduzido sob Luís XIII e Luís XIV para embelezar a residência do rei e é um símbolo do período clássico. Depois da mudança de Luís XIV para Versailles, o Louvre teve um período estático. A mais recente construcção é a pirâmide de vidro erguido por Leoh Ming Pei sob as ordens do então presidente Mitterrand, que hoje serve como a principal entrada para o museu. Com 35.000 peças e uma superfície de cerca de 69.000 metros quadrados, o Louvre não pode ser visitado num só dia. O museu compreende oito departamentos. Além da famosa Mona Lisa de Leonardo da Vinci e da Festa de casamento em Caná do Veronese, ainda pode ver as pinturas do renacimento italiano tais como (Tiziano, Rafael, etc.), ou as obras dos pintores holandeses como Rubens, Van Eyck, bem como a Lacemaker do Vermeer. Dicas importantes: Seja paciente e compre os seus ingresos pela Internet, evitando as longas filas. Venha também à noite para ver as pirâmides iluminadas.
The Romano-Byzantine Sacre Coeur Basilica overlooks Montmartre, one of Paris's most picturesque districts. Its distinctive travertine stone dome rises up over the rooftops, allowing visitors to the basilica the perfect vantage point from which to survey the city. Within Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, often called Sacré-Cœur, visitors will find several interesting sites, including a mosaic of Christ, an elegant organ constructed by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, and a crypt. Commissioned by the Catholic Church, construction began in 1875 under the watchful eye of architect Paul Abadie, and was finally completed in 1914.
O terreno onde o jardim de Luxemburgo e o Palais du Luxembourg ficam era originalmente um acampamento romano. Em 1927 o Chartreux ordem religiosa comprou o terreno para construir um monastério, e posteriormente a princesa Marie de Médicis construiu o paço em 1615. Este é um dos favoritos jardins parisienses, sensível e muito popular entre estudantes e moradores do quartier latin em Paris. As crianças podem andar nos pôneis, brincar e navegar com barquinhos no lago octogonal. É um lugar muito querido e utilizado como ponto de encontros.
Parc de la Villette is spread over three kilometers (one-and-a-half miles), is first and foremost a park where both children and parents can play and relax. With its wooded glens, a canal winding through the lawns, staircases climbing up the hillsides to lovely views, and flat lots for roller blading, this place is very popular on sunny Sundays. Children of all ages are invited to unleash their imaginations here: dragon gardens, astounding acrobatics, gentle dunes, and rolling fog set the stage. Linger for awhile in the Bamboo Garden to hear the wind blowing through these enormous grasses and imagine you are surrounded by jungle!
Quase 2,5 milhões visitantes todos os anos vêm para ver a maior colecção do mundo de arte impressionista, localizado no esplêndido Museu d'Orsay. O edifício em si, chamadoGare d'Orsay, foi construído para a Feira do Mundo de 1900. Durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial, foi utilizado para acolher prisioneiros libertados. Uma vez que a estação de trem (a Gare) caiu em desuso e o hotel adjacente encerrou suas atividades em 1973, o edifício foi ameaçado de demolição. No entanto, decidiu-se mudar a função do edifício que passaria a abrigar a colecção de arte da segunda metade do século 19. Foi inaugurado em 1986 sob o governo de François Mitterrand. A principal galeria do andar térreo, de 138 metros de largura e de 32 metros de altura é uma lembrança da história do edifício. Entre as principais obras desta galeria estão os escandalosos Enterrement à Ornans, de Gustave Courbet e os Glaneuses, de Jean-François Millet. Fãs do impressionismo deverão ir directamente ao 5º andar, e olhar entre as galerias de 29 a 48, onde estão as obras dos maiores mestres do gênero. As artes decorativas estão localizadas nos andares debaixo, que vale a pena ser visitado especialmente pela impressionante colecção de Art Nouveau. Também não esqueça de conferir o belo Hotel Le Bellechasse, que está a uma curta distância a pé daqui.
The romantic heart of France, one that is home to countless marvels that make a traveling spirit soar, is an eternal piece of iconography that is immediately both recognizable, yet full of surprises. On the banks of the river Seine, Paris is the enchanting home of 2.2 million people who live across its twenty arrondissements. A labyrinthine expanse of inexhaustible culture, architecture and history thrives along the riverside, while indelible symbols and stalwarts of art position themselves in venerated museums and galleries. Dominating Paris' soul-stirring skyline are monumental vestiges and landmarks that feed its charm and beauty – from the deeply iconic spire of the Eiffel Tower and the butter yellow facade of the Arc de Triomphe to the mysterious allure of the Louvre, and the French Gothic splendor of the Notre Dame. Forming part of its periphery, yet sparking instant association with the city are a host of other aspects that make Paris so great in stature; it is an evolved culinary hub, an international center for fashion, a metropolis seething with great artists, and a nexus of entertainment.
This splendid neo-Renaissance-style building is just minutes from the Seine and right in the heart of the capital. In 1260, Louis IX decided to endow Paris with the means of organizing its own affairs. Situated in Place de Grève (grève meaning 'strike' the square gets its name from discontented workers who often demonstrated here!), the building was used as the seat of government during the French Revolution, when a guillotine stood imposingly in front of its windows. Burnt to the ground during a working-class uprising in 1871, it was rebuilt 11 years later and became the current Town Hall. Crystal chandeliers, beautiful paintings and vast function rooms are all part of its sumptuous interior.
Hop aboard one of Batostar's electric vessels for a tour of the Seine and its islands. Immerse yourself in the rich history of Paris as you cruise through the city and take in the centuries of architecture and culture. The on-board bar and lounge offers light refreshments and delicious drinks. You can even book a vessel for a private event. Visit the website to find out times and pricing information.
Flanked by iconic French landmarks like the majestic Notre Dame and the Conciergerie, Marché aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux has been in operation since 1808, making it the oldest and lone surviving floral market in Paris. Located in the heart of Ile de la Cité, the avenue sees an array of shops featuring exotic flowers, plants and shrubs. From primroses and orchids to violets and myrtles, the seasonal blooms paint a beautiful and tranquil picture in the tourist-dominated area. Open throughout the week, Sundays see bird traders set up shop with rare species of parrots, macaws, doves and budgies, as well as cages, seeds and accessories.
Dating back to 1912, it was among Paris's premier silent cinemas during that era. After a long closure during the World War II, it reopened as an auteur cinema hall. Over the many decades of its existence, Luminor Hôtel de Ville may have changed its name a few times, but its heart remained the same as an independent movie house. Showcasing independent films from all across the world wherein even catering to children, this cinema theater is among the best in the neighborhood.
This incredible theater was established by Régis Santon and five other actors in 1975. It is situated within an ancient medieval cave beneath the city streets of Paris. The plush red seats and modern lighting equipment are framed by the old stone walls, creating an enticing temporal dissonance that epitomizes modern France - the past and presents united as a vessel for French culture. Essaïon Théâtre offers a variety of productions including cabaret, theatrical productions, and tragedy as well as comedy shows.