Some people call it the City of Light, others call it the City of Love. Whatever it is called, Paris is no doubt one of the most beautiful city in the world. You feel special in Paris even if you are not in love, because you will fall in love with the city right away. I did, during my 3-day trip there over the spring break. :)
Eiffel Tower ~ La Tour Eiffel
The most beautiful and magnificent sight in Paris. It was constructed in 1889 by engineer Gustav Eiffel to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the French Revolution. It was to be torn down soon after it was completed because at that time, many people thought it was a horrible piece of junk, but the tower stands and becomes the national symbol for Paris and France. The best time to visit is obviously, during the night. You can go up the tower either by elevator with price that varies with levels[there are three levels], or you can be brave and climb the stairs![I came down from the 2nd level down to the bottom, in an approximately 15 minutes rush. Needless to say, it was an unforgettable experience. :) ] Once you reached the top, or 2nd floor even, you can see the whole Paris right under your eyes. Also, if you stay down below the tower and wait, you can see a millennium special – when the Eiffel Tower sparkles every time the clock strikes an hour. Eiffel Tower is a sight you have to visit when you are in Paris. Eiffel Tower
Bateaux Mouche
Right below the Eiffel Tower along the right bank of the Seine, you can enjoy a nice boat ride on the Bateaux Mouche and gaze at the beautiful night scenery along the Seine during your ride. As you ride on the boat, you can pick up the earphone right near your seat and listen to a tour guide that introduces most of the sights along the Seine in 8 different languages. Warning: As much as you admire the scenery at night, don’t take any pictures unless your camera has supreme quality[Coz I took a roll of pictures of the scene and none of them came out. Yup, I learned my lesson -_-].
Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile ~Place Charles-de-Gaulle
Monument dedicated to Napoleon’s battle victory. Under the arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soilders. You can climb to the top platform on the arch to get a panoramic view over Paris’ 12 main boulevards spread from the Place de Charles de Gaulle. These boulevards hence give the name to the place as Etoile[star]. On special occasions, such as state visits, there will be a huge French flag hanging beneath the arch.
L’Avenue des Champs-Elysée
Right directly to the Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous boulevard in the world, the Champs Elysées, stretches about 2 km long. On this grand avenue, you can see all kind of shops and boutiques. Champs Elysée
Place de la Concorde
Near the other end of the Champs-Elysée is the Place de la Concorde. History has it that it was here where the French royal lost their heads under the guillotine during the French Revolution. At the center of the square is the Obelisque, a monument from an Egyptian temple. At the two side of the Obelisque are the two spectacular Hittorf fountains; also near the Place de la Concorde is the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries [Tuileries Garden]
Opéra Garnier
One of the largest theatres in the world, has been home of the ballet. At the front entrance you can see the grand staircase.
Notre Dame Cathedral ~ Notre-Dame de Paris
Probably the most famous cathedral in the world, sets on the island of Ile-de la Cité. At the front facade, you can behold the rose window, below stand the statues of 28 kings of Judah. Two Gothic tower completes the symmetry of the front north entrance. Inside the cathedral, it is really dark and gloomy. You can go straight to the end of the pier and see the Virgin, Notre-Dame de Paris.
Louvre Museum ~ Le Grand Louvre
Most famous museum in the world. This huge museum[ You can easily get lost. After all, it is a palace du Louvre] has 3 wings: Richlieu, Denon, and Sully. All three are connected underground to the Glass Pyramid. The Glass Pyramid is the official entrance to the museum, but you can also enter the museum through individual wings. Once inside, you grab a ground plan[you really need it], and off you go to the artifacts through any passage to the exhibitions. Art pieces that must be seen: Mona Lisa, else known as la Jaconde, Venus de Milo, Victory of Samothrace, Delacroix’s “Liberty Guides the People” and David’s “Coronation of Napoleon.” Louvre Museum
Orsay Museum ~ Musée d’Orsay
The Orsay Museum that sits on the right bank used to be a train station, but was later transformed into an art museum that now holds paintings and sculptures from 18th and 19th century. The ground floor is where you can see the sculptures. The top floors are where you can find the paintings by the most renown Impressionists such as Renoir, Degas, Monet, and etc. Orsay Museum
Pompidou Center ~ Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou
You know that Pompidou Center is a modern art museum by just looking at its outside structures, consist of tubes, glass, and steel. Actually, Centre Pompidou not only holds 20th century art works by Cubists and Expressionists such as Picasso, Matisse, and Kandinsky, it also displays inventions and industrial designs. Some of which I saw were a chair that was made of fishing lines, a jacket made of steel wool, and a real tree[dead though] mounted on a huge, stable square block of dirt.
Versailles
The beautiful palace of Louis XIV, the “Sun King”. From the front entrance to the palace square, there stands the statue of Louis XIV on a horse. Inside under the guided tour, you can see the chamber of Louis XIV, Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. [Those rooms are beautiful, but they bored me] You can also see the Hall of Mirror, though to me it was not that spectacular as I thought it would be. Outside, you can see the splash foamy fountain and beautifully landscaped gardens. [Unfortunately for me, the gardens were closed on the day I visited Versaille :( ] Versaille
