All About The Famous Places in Paris
Paris France is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, because there are so many famous places in Paris to see, each full of beauty and history. Paris has hundreds of monuments, over 300 museums and the city receives 30 million visitors each year. If you are thinking of traveling to Paris, here is a brief summary of some of the most famous places in Paris that you should consider adding to your list of destinations.
Probably the most recognized famous landscape in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. It is the iconic image of France and the city of Paris and is a destination everyone should visit. It was the tallest building in the world until 1930 and was designed by Gustave Eiffel as the entrance arch for the International Exhibition of Paris in 1889. The tower stands 1063 feet tall, which is 81 stories, and is constructed of iron. Building started in 1887 and was completed in 1889. Still the tallest building in Paris, and the second tallest in France, the Eiffel Tower receives millions of visitors each year, making it the most paid visitors monument in the world. Visitors can climb to the various levels of the tower and enjoy some of the restaurants with in it. At the night the Eiffel Tower is beautifully lit up.
Another famous monument to visit in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe located in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle. This 160 foot tall, 148 foot wide and 72 foot deep arc monument is the second largest arc in the world. It was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon to honor various French military victories and the soldiers who served in them. The arc was completed in 1836 and also contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is dedicated to all those who served and died in World War I.
Known as the finest example of Gothic architecture in Europe, the Roman Catholic Cathedrale de Notre Dame is definitely one of the most famous places in Paris to see. Construction began in 1163 and was finished in 1345. Highlights of this cathedral’s vast history include Napoleon being crowned emperor there in 1804 and that it contains the official chair of the Archbishop of Paris. It also contains many valuable pieces of artwork, architectural designs and stained glass windows.
Originally a 13th century fortress which was rebuilt in the 16th century as a royal palace, the Palais du Louvre became a museum in 1973. The Louvre is now the most visited museum in the world. It houses the world’s most famous artwork from the middle ages to 1848 including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. In 1983 I.M. Pei was commissioned to build a modernist glass pyramid which while controversial, eventually became one of the museum’s most noted attributes. A second inverted pyramid was completed in 1993.
Located in the suburbs of Paris is the original symbol of France’s absolute monarchy, the Palace of Versailles. It was the center of France’s political power from 1682 until 1789 and was taken over by the public during the French Revolution. World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed within its walls in 1919. The building also contains the royal bedrooms of the King and Queen, the Hall of Mirrors and a museum of French history.
Housing the world’s largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist artworks and masterpieces is the Musee d’ Orsay. This famous museum opened in 1986 and displays mostly French artwork from the time period of 1848-1915. It is the place to go to see the most famous works by Manet, Monet, Cezanne, Seurat, Van Gogh, Renoir and Degas.
This list is just scratching the surface of the hundreds of famous places to visit in the city of Paris. With its vast array of history, artwork and monuments, Paris France is one the world’s most visited tourist attractions and one of the most significant cultural destinations to see.