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 Attractions & Activities : Sightseeing
The ineffable character of Paris embraces visitors from the moment they step foot into the city. That welcome is strong, perhaps, because the city is infused with a palpable sense of timelessness and because travelers carry a perceived familiarity with the city, brought about by a lifetime of images. The Eiffel Tower, for example, defines Paris in cinema, serving as an instant trigger of memory and locale. And everyone knows Notre Dame, either as Paris’s religious landmark or as the home of Quasimodo, Victor Hugo’s fictional hunchback. The reality of these places, however, is much more than photographs indicate, and history, art and setting deepen significantly with tangible experience. In short, there’s nothing like being there. And in a city riddled with monuments like Napoleon’s L’Arc de Triomphe and Hôtel des Invalides (where he’s interred), there’s plenty to see. Well-designed greenspaces like Le Jardin des Tuileries and Le Jardin du Luxembourg prove mesmerizing, and beyond Paris proper lies Versailles, a paean to wealth and extravagance. Finally, don’t forget to delve into the catacombs, a veritable sculpture of exhumed bones, or to visit Père Lachaise cemetery, whose lasting quiet cradles folks like Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde and Gertrude Stein.
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1, pl Denfert-Rochereau, Paris 75014 • 01 43 22 47 63
Description: 14ème ARRONDISSEMENT. These underground tunnels date from the Roman period, when quarries were created to obtain building stone. Most sit at the base of Parisian hills like Montparnasse, Montrouge and Montsouris. In the late 18th-century, authorities began to use the caverns and tunnels to deposit bones exhumed from medieval cemeteries that had become unsanitary. During WWII, the catacombs were home to the French Resistance. Today, they're open to the public, who can view artfully arranged bones from years past. Miles of tunnels are still uncharted, but this 2km route, reached down a steep staircase, is well-lit and a constant 14°C. METRO: Denfert-Rochereau
pl d'Armes, Paris 78000 • 01 30 83 78 00
Description: VERSAILLES. This wonderfully extravagant palace, where royals frittered away much of the treasury, is a necessary stop for visitors. Top designers of the day created an ornate complex of gardens, lakes, stables and guest houses to complement the luxuriously furnished palace, where Louis XIV, XV and XVI lived before the kingdom gave way to revolution. Beautifully restored rooms hint at the court's wealth, as seen in the gilt, crystal and hand-painted furnishings and details. Make sure to see the historic Hall of Mirrors. Guided and unguided tours are available. The gardens are as much as an attraction as the interior, especially when the spectacular fountains are turned on to music on summer weekends. Access from Paris by train (RER line C; Versailles Rive Gauche station is an 8-minute walk from the palace).
20, av Rachel, Paris 75018 • 01 53 42 36 30
Description: 18ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This historic and incredibly picturesque cemetery is the resting place of many of Paris's most famous citizens. Wander among the mature trees, observing beautifully crafted mausoleums, commemorative statues, and heartfelt inscriptions. Among the tombs of well-known personages you'll find are those of composer Hector Berlioz, film great François Truffaut, painter Edgar Degas, and ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky.
bd de Ménilmontant, Paris 75020 • 01 55 25 82 10
Description: 20ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Named for Louis XIV's confessor, who once lived in the vicinity, this cemetery was established in 1804. It was planned as a repository for human remains when authorities sought to improve sanitation by moving graves from the center of the city to its outskirts. Now park-like in its appeal, Père Lachaise is a much-desired place to be buried. Within its bounds are the graves of Molière, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Chopin, Edith Piaf, Sarah Bernhardt, Marcel Proust, and other famous figures. Stately trees and beautiful memorials add to the cemetery's present-day calm. METRO: Père Lachaise, Philippe Auguste
pl Charles de Gaulle, Paris 75008 • 01 55 37 73 77
Description: 8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This symbol of French victory was commissioned by Napoleon and completed in 1836. Adorned with sculpture and the names of military successes, the enormous arch features a small museum and rooftop viewing platform. At its base is the tomb of the unknown soldier. The arch sits at the center of place Charles de Gaulle (formerly place d'Etoile), a square that branches off into twelve avenues. It also offers great views southeast down the Champs-Elysées to the Louvre and northwest towards La Défense. Pedestrian access is most safely gained via the pedestrian tunnel from the north side of the Champs Elysées. METRO: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile
Champ de Mars, Paris 75007 • 01 44 11 23 23
Description: 7ème ARRONDISSEMENT. One of the world's most popular and well-known sites, this tower is not only a must-see for visitors but Paris's signature landmark. Although the structure was poorly received when it premiered in 1889, it's now a symbol of great civic and national pride. In fact, visitors must often wait in line before taking the elevator to the observation deck and seeing the city spread out below. At night, the tower becomes a beautifully illuminated sculpture. Gustave Eiffel, who designed the tower, also created the framework for NYC's Statue of Liberty. METRO: Bir Hakeim
pl de la Concorde, Paris 75008
Description: 8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. This impressive square in the heart of the city has seen an incredible amount of history. Created by Louix XV and completed in 1763, it eventually hosted the guillotine that put to death Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, Danton and Robespierre. Today, it features a variety of fountains and statues, along with the prominent Obelisk of Luxor, a gift from Egypt that stretches 23 meters (75 feet) into the sky. METRO: Concorde
Place des Vosges pl des Vosges, Paris 75004
Description: 4ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Built on the site of a former royal residence, this planned square was constructed in the early 17th century by Henri IV. Consisting of 36 units, the complex is fashioned of red-brick and stone; ground-floor arcades are today occupied by shops and restaurants. Over the southern gateway is the King's Pavilion; above the northern one is the Queen's. Paris's oldest square is a lovely place to relax and browse; at one time, it was the residence for everyone from Richelieu to Victor Hugo (whose home is now a museum).
between quai d'Orsay and cours la Reine, Paris 75008
Description: 8ème ARRONDISSEMENT. Often considered Paris's most beautiful bridge, Pont Alexandre III was built in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition. It links the 7th and 8th arrondissements across the Seine, and its graceful arch bears the arms of both Russia and France. The bridge is renowned for offering expansive views of nearby Invalides. It's adorned with beaten copper reliefs and gilt bronze sculptures and is a must-visit during Parisian walking tours. METRO: Champs-Elysées-Clemenceau or Invalides
33, av du Maine, Paris 75015 • 01 45 38 52 56
Description: In only 40 seconds – courtesy of one of Europe's fastest elevators – you can reach the 56th indoor observatory of Tour Montparnasse, a sleek, Parisian skyscraper. A further flight of stairs brings you out on the 59th floor outdoor viewing deck. From there, views of the city are astounding, and you can get a wonderful overview of Notre-Dame, the Bois de Boulogne and the Louvre. On a clear day, in fact, you can see 30 miles out! At night, the city virtually twinkles in a spread of white lights. The indoor observatory has a café, gift shop and informative interactive terminals. METRO: Montparnasse Bienvenüe / Edgar Quinet