It is hard to say how many architectural and historical monuments the French capital has. Here are the Top 5 main sights of Paris, which are a must on a sightseeing tour of Paris.
Eiffel Tower
Eiffel TowerThe creation of engineer Gustave Eiffel – a 300-meter-high metal tower – was inaugurated in Paris in 1889 as an exhibit at an international exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the Revolution. It was originally supposed to be dismantled after 20 years. But after the expiration of this period, Parisians became so accustomed to this construction that they indignantly rejected the possibility of demolition. Now the Eiffel Tower is the most frequently photographed and visited monument of the capital of France and the whole world, as any guide in Paris can confirm.
Tourists can climb to the first, second and third levels of the structure, which are 57, 115 and 276 meters high. The ascent is made by elevator or on foot to the second floor; in the latter case it is necessary to overcome 1665 steps. From the first and second levels you can enjoy beautiful views of Paris, while from the third level you can admire the houses covered by clouds.
Notre Dame de Paris
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris (Notre-Dame-de-Paris), built in 1163 on the site of the old Romanesque church of Paris, stands at the eastern end of the island of Cité. Despite the fact that the temple was associated with important moments in the history of France, by the beginning of the XIX century, it fell into disrepair: even the question of its demolition was raised. Fortunately, in 1831 Victor Hugo’s novel “The Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris” was published, which drew the public’s attention to this structure. The church was extensively reconstructed with the restoration of the spire and other lost elements.
Nowadays Notre Dame is included in the program of almost all excursions in Paris. It is difficult to pass by this majestic and at the same time elegant building, the facade of which is decorated with expressive sculptural groups. Stained glass windows with the famous “rosettes” (stained glass windows) stand out in the interior, besides, the sculptures installed in the chapels of the cathedral attract attention. Notre Dame is an active church: Catholic services are regularly held here, as well as concerts of sacred and classical music. You can climb the marble spiral staircase to the cathedral’s towers, from where you can not only admire the panoramas of Paris, but also see in detail the chimeras and gargoyles decorating the gutters.
Sacré-Coeur Basilica
At the highest point of Paris on the top of Montmartre hill rises the snow-white basilica of Sacré-Coeur (Heart of Christ). The idea of erecting the temple arose immediately after the end of the Franco-Prussian War as a sign of remembrance for the dead. It was based on the project of architect Abadi, who suggested using a special type of limestone for the building, which acquires a special whiteness under the influence of moisture. Construction lasted from 1875 to 1914: workers had to stop work for a while to strengthen the soil of the hill.
Nowadays, the majestic cathedral in Romano-Byzantine style is considered one of the main monuments of the French capital. In front of it there is a square with a staircase and a colonnade, where artists, musicians and numerous tourist groups gather accompanied by guides to Paris. The interior of the temple is characterized by elegance and peacefulness. The main place is occupied by the mosaic decorating the dome, made in exquisite blue, turquoise and gold colors. Those who wish can go up to the observation deck located on the dome of the cathedral (you can use the elevator). In clear weather from here you can see not only the neighborhoods of Paris, but also the suburbs of the French capital.
Louvre
The world-famous museum, which houses the largest collection of art treasures, is housed in the former royal palace. In the Middle Ages, it was the site of a fortified castle with defensive value. During the Renaissance, the castle was rebuilt into a luxurious Italian-style palace. Although since the time of Louis XIV kings preferred to live in Versailles, they visited the Louvre, where there were apartments decorated with precious fabrics and furniture, as well as masterpieces of painting and sculpture.
During the French Revolution, the doors of the palace were opened to the public, thus making the Louvre the first public museum in France. During a tour of Paris, tourists visit the palace for different purposes. One is enough to see the three main masterpieces of the Louvre: the mysterious Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, as well as the ancient statues of Venus of Milos and Nike of Samothrace. Art lovers are ready to wander around the museum all day long: here are accumulated the richest collections of paintings, sculptures, applied arts, and you can also see the royal residences of different eras. In the basement there is a food court where you can taste the cuisines of different countries. There is also a shopping complex with stores of souvenirs, perfumes, haberdashery and other goods.
Avenue des Champs-Élysées
The central artery of the western part of Paris is the Avenue des Champs-Elysées (Champs-Elise), which stretches from Place de la Concorde to Place de la Star – Charles de Gaulle. The avenue is located on the site of a promenade zone, which was formed in the second half of the XVIII century, and received its name during the French Revolution. This street belongs to the most interesting places in Paris. Strange as it may seem, the fields in the literal sense of the word have never been and are not there. The name was borrowed from ancient Greek mythology.
The Champs-Élysées, which is 1,915 meters long, is divided into two main parts. At Place de la Concorde, a 700-meter-long shady avenue overgrown with chestnuts and other trees begins. It leads to the Place Ron Poin (Circular Movement), with flowerbeds around its perimeter, decorated with flowers from early spring to late fall. The business part of the Champs-Élysées begins after it: luxurious store windows of chic stores are replaced by strict signs of famous banks, car showrooms and airlines. It is also home to publishing houses, cinemas, restaurants, patisseries and cafes.
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