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.
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.
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.
Subir os 365 degraus até o topo desta obra-prima é um esforço que vale a pena pela vista que oferece. A construcção da primeira catedral gótica iniciou em 1163 e quase foi completada em 1212. A reconstrução dos dois portões anexos em 1270 marca o complemento do projeto original. A parte oeste está adornada com três vãos de porta belíssimos e coroados por duas torres de 69 metros. A catedral está cheia nos melhores horários, especialmente nos domingos em que várias partes do edifício estão fechadas para visitantes.
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.
After ten years in the Marais area, VU’ Gallery, specialized in photography, settles in an historical site in the ninth arrondissement of Paris: Paul Delaroche Hotel. The gallery has adjustable exhibition rooms, which enable the organization of original settings, meetings and exchanges, with one exhibition every six weeks. The VU’ gallery also sells collectible prints. They have adopted the solution of authentication and traceability developed by ARTtrust for pieces of art and prints. Artists thus protect their work and their rights, and the VU’ gallery guarantees collectors the authenticity of purchased works. Moreover, a bookshop is available on the premises.
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.
Place de l'Hotel de Ville - Esplanade de la Libération was earlier known as the Place de Grève. Records show its existence as far back as the 13th Century. It was initially used for public executions and was an emblem of the medieval regime in France. Gradually over the centuries it became a meeting place for the public. Its new name is an ode to the World War II resistance. The beautiful Hôtel de Ville de Paris (City Hall) is next to this square and the Pont d'Arcole is just a few minutes away.
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.
This monument is a perfect example of Parisian Gothic architecture. Although the 50-meter (164-foot) high tower is all that remains of Saint-Jacques-La-Boucherie church (which was built in the 16th Century and destroyed just after the French Revolution), it's still an impressive sight. At the time, scientist and philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) carried out important atmospheric pressure experiments here. His statue and the addition of a small meteorological station in a part of the tower honor his memory. Call +33 8 3668 3112 for details.