Paris - first touch

A July 2001 trip to Paris by Ioanda

Quote: The French capital is one of the most stimulating cities on earth. Is it the elegance of the tree-lined boulevards? The radiance of the light? The magnificence of the architecture? The style and ambience of the cafes? It is difficult to say. Come to find out...

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Paris - first touch

Overview

Quote:

Thinking of Paris, the tourists have in mind a lot of superlatives and travel clichés. You can usually find whatever you expect or hope to discover. But another approach is to set aside your preconceptions of Paris, and simply explore the city's avenues, backstreets and parks. Try to forget about Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre Dame. ...Is it the elegance of the tree-lined boulevards? The radiance of the light? The magnificence of the architecture? The style and ambience of the cafes? It is difficult to say. Come to find out... But keep in mind the city's reputation as an expensive place to visit and always keep with you a French conversation book.Quick Tips: Always keep with you a Frenc...Read More

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Atelier Brancusi

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Attraction

Atelier 1 Photo - Atelier Brancusi, Paris, France

Quote:

The Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi (1876-1957), trained initially as a carpenter and stonemason, was a central figure of the modern movement and a pioneer of abstraction. After attending the Bucharest School of Fine Arts, Brancusi traveled to Paris in 1904 where his early influences included African as well as oriental art (and, of course, Romanian folk carvings). Brancusi created his first major work, "The Kiss", in 1908. From this time his sculpture became increasingly abstract, moving from the disembodied head of "Sleeping Muse" to the virtually featureless "Beginning of the World" and from the formal figure of the legendary bird "Maiastra" to numerous versions of the ethereal "Bird in Space...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 31, 2001

Atelier Brancusi
Rue Rambuteau
Paris, France
+33 01 44 78 46 55

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Arc de Triomphe

Attraction | "Arch de Triomphe (de l'Etoile)"

Quote:

There are some non-expenses places for a Paris bird-eye view. One of them is the Arch de Triomphe (de l'Etoile). Commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon shortly after his victory at Austerlitz (and dedicated to the glory of the Great Army), it was not finished until 1836. After the 1830 Revolution, king Louis-Phillipe dedicated the monument to the armies of the Revolution and of the Empire. The day the Battle of Verdun commenced in 1916 the sword carried by the figure representing the Republic broke off. The figure was immediately hidden to conceal the accident to try to avoid any undesired associations or interpretations as a bad omen. Engraved around the top of the arch are the names of maj...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 21, 2001

Arc de Triomphe
Place Charles-de-gaulle
Paris, France 75008
+33 (1) 55 37 73 77

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Bateaux-Mouches

Attraction | "Bateaux Mouches"

Quote:

Since the Middle Ages, the Seine river has been the spine of the city of Paris. For centuries, the Parisian people have tried to make the best out of the river and its banks. The Seine is crossed by many old and beautiful bridges. The oldest one is Pont-Neuf near the Notre-Dame cathedral, inaugurated in 1607. Maybe the most interesting one is Alexandre III bridge near the Invalides military hospital, inaugurated in 1900 during the Paris world exhibition. Many of the most famous Paris monuments are on the river banks. The list includes Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the Eiffel tower. With BATEAUX MOUCHES, the popular French boat, a river cruise on the Seine is a good way to di...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 12, 2001

Bateaux-Mouches
Pont de l'Alma
Paris, France 75008
+33 (1) 42 25 96 10

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Latin Quarter

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Attraction | "Bohemians Paris: The Latin Quarter"

Artists on Sena quay Photo - Latin Quarter, Paris, France

Quote:

One of the most famous Parisian districts, the Latin Quarter has welcomed intellectuals and bohemians alike since the Middle Ages. It derives its name from the language of the scholars as the students of the famous Sorbonne University spoke Latin here throughout the 19th-century. The area is full to the brim with cafes, bookshops, small boutiques, nightclubs, street merchants and artists. And to not forget: inexpensive restaurants - its narrow alleys fragrant with aroma of roasted lamb (plenty of Greek restaurants are there). It is a real heaven for food lovers. If you want to find the real Paris then don't miss this hip, young, and vibrant area.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 3, 2001

Latin Quarter
Left Bank of River Seine
Paris

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Disneyland Paris

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Attraction | "Disneyland - one park for all"

Circus Parade Photo - Disneyland Paris, Paris, France

Quote:

Disneyland Paris is situated just outside the city, in Marne la Vallée. It was opened in 1992. From Paris, RER line A takes you fast to the heart of Disneyland. In just 35 minutes, you can be at the gates of a fairytale . And if you buy your entrance ticket from a metro station, we'll have one way RER ticket for free. Come to meet Mickey and Dumbo and all your Disney friends! Belt up for a journey to the moon with Space Mountain, pilot your own spaceship on Orbitron or take part in the intergalactic battle. Follow in the footsteps of Indiana Jones or visit the Wild West in Frontierland. Take a stroll in its themed stores, listen to the orchestras, dive into the fever of H...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 3, 2001

Disneyland Paris
Disney Village, 77700 Magny-le-Hongre
Marne-la-vallee

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Avenue des Champs-Elysées

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Attraction | "Champs Elysees - A Popular Promenade"

From Arch de Triomphe... Photo - Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Paris, France

Quote:

In 1667, a huge area of parkland was added to the Tuileries Palace, extending as far as the Chaillot hill. Le Nôtre, who was in charge of the work, laid out a huge array of avenues bordered by flowers and shrubs along which Parisians were free to stroll at their leisure. In 1694, the broad avenue that had just been completed was given the name of Champs Elysées, in reference to Greek mythology. Champs Elysees is a popular promenade and the central point to most French National celebrations. The Tour de France finishes here and people from all over the world congregate here to celebrate Bastille Day - the French national holiday. From Arch de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 27, 2001

Avenue des Champs-Elysées
Avenue Des Champs-elysées
Paris, France 75008

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Grevin Wax Museum (Musee Grevin)

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Attraction | "A confusing world: Musée Grévin"

Welcome to Royal Palace Photo - Grevin Wax Museum (Musee Grevin), Paris, France

Quote:

Around 1870, Arthur Mezer conceived the idea of making 3D representation of the famous people who were on the front page of his well-known daily newspaper "Le Gaulois". He asked Alfred Grévin (1927-1982), a talented cartoonist, sculptor and designer of costumes for the theatre, to help him with this project. Founded in 1882, the Grévin Museum (Musée Grévin in French) is the Paris wax museum. It has a baroque architecture and includes a mirage room and a theater for magic tricks. Its aim is to bring back great people and events of history in a very realistic way. International political leaders, actors, sports stars and many others seems to say "Hello!" to everybody, sometimes even confu...Read More

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on January 11, 2002

Grevin Wax Museum (Musee Grevin)
10 Boulevard Montmartre
Paris, France 75009
+33 1 47 70 85 05

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Musée du Louvre

Attraction | "Louvre"

Quote:

Philippe Auguste originally constructed "Le Louvre" as a royal palace in 1190. It was rebuilt in the mid-16th and only after the French Revolution the idea of transforming it into a huge art museum was discussed. Le Louvre museum opened on 18th November 1793. Today the Louvre is one of the most beautiful museums in the world, housing collections from nearly every era and every major artist throughout history. To see the collection in its entirety is a mammoth task. If you want see the whole museum you need at least a complete day (2 or 3 days is better). Whatever you decide, don't miss masterpieces as Mona Lisa of Leornado Da Vinci and Venus of Milo. PS: If you want to av...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 19, 2002

Musée du Louvre
99, rue de Rivoli
Paris, France 75001
+33 (1) 40 20 51 51