Paris, the capital of France, otherwise known as the “City of Lights” is a vibrant city located in the north-central region of the country. With a population estimated at 2,153,600 (2019) and a metropolitan area population of 9,854,000, It sits along the Seine River, approximately 233 miles (375 km) upstream from where the river meets the English Channel (La Manche). Paris was initially established as Lutetia, evolving from a settlement on an island in the Seine during the late 3rd century BCE. The Romans captured and fortified Lutetia in 52 BCE. Over time, the city expanded to the left bank of the Seine, eventually becoming known as Paris by the early 4th century. Paris withstood Viking sieges in the 9th century and became the capital of France in 987 when Hugh Capet, the count of Paris, ascended to the throne.
Today, Paris stands as the financial, commercial, transportation, artistic, and intellectual hub of France. It boasts a multitude of attractions, including iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame de Paris, the Louvre, the Panthéon, the Pompidou Centre, and the Paris Opéra. The city is renowned for its boulevards, public parks, and gardens, adding to its allure and charm.
La vie est belle
Life is Beautiful
-Unknown
Here is a list of some of the best attractions to visit in Paris, France...
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower history starts during the 1889 Exposition Universelle, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, in which the competition was announced in the Journal Officiel. The objective was to make a blueprint for an iron tower on the Champ-de-Mars with a square base measuring 125 meters across and a towering height of 300 meters. Out of 107 entries, the winning design was submitted by Gustave Eiffel, an entrepreneur, along with engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, and architect Stephen Sauvestre. The concept involved a tall tower resembling a pylon, constructed with lattice work girders forming four columns, converging at the top, and interconnected with additional metal girders at regular intervals. Eiffel's company's chief engineers, Nouguier and Koechlin, conceived the idea in June 1884, and on September 18, 1884, Eiffel obtained a patent for this innovative configuration capable of surpassing a height of 300 meters. Construction commenced on January 26, 1887, and remarkably, the Eiffel Tower was completed on March 31, 1889, in just two years, two months, and five days, representing an extraordinary engineering achievement. The plan for this 300-meter-tall tower emerged as part of the preparations for the World's Fair of 1889.
During the 1889 World's Fair, the Eiffel Tower attracted two million visitors. Since the 1980s, the monument has undergone regular renovations, restoration, and adaptations to accommodate its ever-growing number of visitors. Serving as an iconic symbol of France and a prominent landmark in Paris, the tower now welcomes nearly 7 million visitors annually, making it the most visited paid monument in the world. Since its opening in 1889, it has drawn nearly 300 million visitors from all corners of the globe. The tower also features four restaurants, including Madame Brasserie on the first floor, The Jules Verne on the second floor, The Buffets on both the first and second floors, and a Champagne Bar on the top floor. Additionally, there are gift shops located on the first and second floors.
Louvre Museum
The National Museum and Art Gallery of France or the Louvre Museum is located in Paris and occupies a section of a grand palace. The palace was constructed on the grounds of the 12th-century fortress established by Philip Augustus on the right bank of the city. This renowned museum attracts the highest number of visitors globally and showcases a wide range of artwork, encompassing various ancient civilizations up until the mid-19th century.
History
During the year 1546, Francis I, a prominent art enthusiast, ordered the demolition of an old castle and initiated the construction of a new royal residence called the Louvre on the same site. Subsequent French monarchs continued to expand the Louvre, resulting in its current form. The initial part of the Louvre, located in the southwestern area of the Cour Carrée, was completed under the supervision of architect Pierre Lescot during Francis I's reign.
After Louis XIV relocated his court to Versailles in 1682, the Louvre ceased to function as a royal residence. However, in the 18th century, the idea of transforming the Louvre into a public museum emerged. The comte d'Angiviller played a crucial role in constructing and planning the Grande Galerie while also acquiring significant art pieces. In 1793, during the French Revolution, the revolutionary government opened the Musée Central des Arts in the Grande Galerie, making it accessible to the public. During Napoleon's rule, numerous additions were made to the Louvre, and it was Napoleon III who inaugurated the exhibition that showcased these additions. Eventually, the Louvre reached its completed state, comprising a vast complex of buildings arranged in two main quadrilaterals, enclosing two spacious courtyards.
In the 1980s and '90s, significant renovations were carried out on the Louvre building complex with the aim of enhancing accessibility and visitor experience. As part of this effort, an extensive underground complex was constructed beneath the central courtyards of the Cour Napoléon and the Cour du Carrousel. This underground space included offices, shops, exhibition areas, storage facilities, parking spaces, an auditorium, a tourist bus depot, and a cafeteria. These additions served to make the old museum more accommodating to the needs of its visitors.
Art Pieces
The Louvre houses an incredibly wealthy painting collection, from various periods of European art until the Revolutions of 1848. It possesses a collection of French paintings from the 15th to the 19th century. Additionally, the museum showcases numerous masterpieces by renowned Italian Renaissance painters, such as Leonardo da Vinci's iconic Mona Lisa (c. 1503-19), along with works by Flemish and Dutch painters from the Baroque era.
The Louvre's Department of decorative arts exhibits the remarkable possessions of French kings, including bronzes, miniatures, pottery, tapestries, jewelry, and furniture. On the other hand, the Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities showcases a wide array of architecture, sculptures, mosaics, jewelry, and pottery from those civilizations. In 1826, the Department of Egyptian Antiquities was established to curate collections acquired during Napoleon's campaign in Egypt. Lastly, the Department of Near Eastern Antiquities boasts a significant collection of Mesopotamian art and remains highly noteworthy.
Palais Garnier
The Paris opera house or The Palais Garnier, designed by Charles Garnier, who won the 1860 competition, is a remarkable architectural gem representing the Second Empire style, that was popular during the second half of the 19th century. Construction of the building commenced in 1861 and it officially opened with an orchestral concert on January 5, 1875. The first opera to grace its stage was "La Juive" by Fromental Halévy on January 8, 1875. Another opera house in Paris, known as the Opéra Bastille, was inaugurated in 1989. Both opera houses fall under the direction of the Opéra National de Paris.
The Paris Opéra, a renowned opera company in Paris, has been the primary presenter of serious operas and musical dramas in the French language for over two centuries. It stands as one of the oldest and most esteemed opera institutions globally. Initially known as the Royal Academy of Music (Académie Royale de Musique), it was founded in 1669 under a patent bestowed by Louis XIV.
The Pantheon
The construction of the Pantheon commenced around 1757 under the guidance of architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot. Originally intended as the Church of Sainte-Geneviève, it was meant to replace an older church located on the same site. However, during the French Revolution, it underwent secularization (disassociation from religious meaning) and was transformed into a memorial dedicated to honoring certain French individuals. At the same time, it was renamed the Panthéon, symbolizing its new purpose as a memorable space.
The interior of the Panthéon is adorned with mosaics and paintings depicting significant events from French history, some of which were created by Puvis de Chavannes. The pediment showcases sculptures crafted by Pierre-Jean David d’Angers, featuring post-Revolutionary patriots. Throughout the 19th century, the Panthéon underwent multiple cycles of reconsecration and secularization (disassociation from religious meaning). It temporarily functioned as a church from 1828 to 1830 and again from 1851 to 1870. Presently, the Panthéon serves as a civic building and serves as a final resting place for the remains of French individuals, including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Èmile Zola, and Marie Curie.
The Pompidou Centre
The Pompidou Centre was named after Georges Pompidou, the French president who commissioned its construction. On January 31, 1977, the center was officially inaugurated by the French president at the time, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Its distinct industrial design, characterized by brightly colored exterior pipes, ducts, and exposed services, garnered attention and notoriety. Renzo Piano from Italy and Richard Rogers from Britain served as the architects of the Pompidou Centre. The center swiftly gained popularity and became recognized as one of the most visited cultural landmarks globally, attracting numerous visitors.
The Pompidou Centre serves as a museum and home for visual arts from the 20th and 21st centuries, offering a diverse range of services and activities. One of its main attractions is the Museum of modern art, which consolidates various public collections previously dispersed across different galleries in Paris. The center also hosts regular temporary exhibitions that explore contemporary themes. Additionally, it houses a substantial public library, a center dedicated to industrial design, a film museum, and the Centre for Musical and Acoustical Research established by renowned French conductor and composer Pierre Boulez. Within the music center, there are rehearsal rooms, studios, and a concert hall that primarily showcases performances centered around modern music. The Pompidou Centre acts as a multifaceted institution, promoting and supporting various artistic disciplines.
The Pompidou Centre expanded its presence with the opening of the Pompidou Centre Metz in May 2010. This outpost, designed by Shigeru Ban from Japan and Jean de Gastines from France, boasts a cutting-edge building located within a park. Its distinctive undulating roof, reminiscent of a Chinese bamboo hat, is crafted from woven timber. The Metz branch focuses on modern art and showcases notable works by renowned artists like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Joan Miró. In addition to Metz, the Pompidou Centre has established temporary outposts in Málaga, Spain (2015), Brussels (2018), and Shanghai (2019). Looking ahead, the Pompidou Centre has announced plans to create branches in Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S., Al-ʿUlā, Saudi Arabia, and Seoul during the 2020s. These expansions allow the Pompidou Centre to broaden its reach and share its diverse collection and artistic experiences with audiences worldwide.
National Museum of Natural History
The French National Museum of Natural History possesses one of the largest collections in the world pertaining to natural history. Its primary goal is to explore, comprehend, showcase, and safeguard the Earth's natural and cultural diversity. Initially established in 1635 as the "Royal Medicinal Plant Garden," it transformed into the National Museum of Natural History in 1793. Currently,, it operates under the joint supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, as well as the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development and Planning. The museum composes of various locations, including the Jardin des Plantes, the Musée de l'Homme, the Paris Zoo, and approximately twelve other sites scattered across France. Notably, it manages two marine biology stations in Brittany and an arboretum (a botanical collection of different tree species).
The French National Museum of Natural History consistents of seven scientific departments that cover a wide range of topics, including the History of the Earth, Ecology and Biodiversity Management, Aquatic Environments, and Populations, Systematics and Evolution, Regulation, Development and Molecular Diversity, Mankind, Nature, Societies, and Prehistory. Additionally, it features three scientific dissemination departments, namely Galleries, Botanical, and Zoological Gardens, and the Musée de l'Homme (Museum of Mankind).
The museum's extensive collections include approximately 65 million minerals, fossils, and naturalized specimens. Among them are over 800,000 type specimens, with around 15% of them computerized and digitized. The museum is also home to the largest herbarium globally, housing 11 million plant specimens.
Aquarium de Paris
Situated beneath the Trocadero Gardens, the Aquarium de Paris holds the title of being the world's first aquarium, constructed for the Universal Exhibition of 1867. Formerly known as the Aquarium du Trocadéro, it was closed in 1984 due to deterioration but underwent a complete reconstruction and reopened to the public in 2006.
Situated beneath the Trocadero Gardens, the Aquarium de Paris holds the title of being the world's first aquarium, constructed for the Universal Exhibition of 1867. Formerly known as the Aquarium du Trocadéro, it was closed in 1984 due to deterioration but underwent a complete reconstruction and reopened to the public in 2006.
Initially focused on showcasing freshwater fish, the aquarium now features 4 million liters of water and is home to 13,000 fish and invertebrates originating from the seas of metropolitan France and overseas. This includes an impressive collection of 38 large sharks, 2,500 jellyfish, and 700 coral colonies. Each aquarium basin within the facility replicates an ecosystem, offering a mesmerizing glimpse into the enchantment of the ocean.
The Aquarium de Paris actively breeds over 50 species of jellyfish, and this number continues to grow through international collaborations. Visitors have the opportunity to witness a rotating presentation of 25 jellyfish species, adding to the diverse array of marine life on display.
Ending Para
Paris, the "City of Lights", is a timeless destination that captivates travelers from all corners of the globe. From its stunning architecture to its rich history, this enchanting city offers a variety of places for every visitor. Explore iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and the Aquarium de Paris. Wander through astonishing museums and discover the story these art pieces tell like the Mona Lisa, where you can indulge in exquisite history and discover hidden gems. Immerse yourself in the art and culture at world-class museums, stroll along the Seine River, and savor the vibrant nightlife. Paris is a city that never fails to leave a lasting impression, making it a must-visit for any travel enthusiast.
Remember to follow my Pinterest for more travel inspiration, where you can find stunning visuals of Paris and beyond. And don't forget to check out my other blog posts, where I dive into the must-visit destinations around Europe. And as always…
Time is Short. Take Time to Travel.
- Unknown
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Sources
All sources used in this blog are linked below. All credit goes to the authors of the websites. The information in this blog is a reworded paraphrase of the info in theses websites.
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