Paris Top Tourist Attractions
Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Centre Pompidou
Feb 28, 2009
Paris was largely redesigned in the 19th century around existing monuments and new iconic landmarks. The most convenient way to discover the capital’s attractions is to purchase a Paris Pass, for two, four or six days. This allows unlimited travel on central Paris public transport and free entrance to over 55 museums and monuments, including the Louvre Museum, Centre Pompidou and the towers of Notre-Dame.
Paris EiffelTower
Erected for the 1889 World Exhibition, the Eiffel Tower remains the tallest building in Paris, reaching 324 metres. The first and second floors are accessible by lift or stairs, respectively 328 and 340 steps, the top floor by lift only. The first floor displays historical exhibits, orientation panels and a discovery corner for children. The second floor has animated panels and souvenir shops and the third a replica of Gustave Eiffels’ office, with waxworks including one of his guest Thomas Edison.
Highlights range from spectacular views to an optional backstage guided visit and an unforgettable dining experience at the 58 Tour Eiffel, reopening late March 09, or the reputed Jules Verne headed by Alain Ducasse and Pascal Féraud.
Louvre Museum Paris
This sumptuous royal residence was abandoned in 1672 when Louis XIV moved to Versailles and transformed into an Art Museum over a century later. Fronted by a modern glass pyramid on the right bank of the Seine, it contains 35 000 works of art exhibited over 60 000m² and spanning over 7000 years.
The collection is divided into eight sections, Near Eastern, Egyptian and Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Paintings, Prints and Drawings. Among the must-see exhibits are the mysterious Venus de Milo and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Visitors’ numbers greatly increased when the museum featured in the Da Vinci Code.
Paris Notre-Dame Cathedral
Set on a river island at the heart of Paris, Notre-Dame Cathedral has risen above the city since the early 13th century. Around 13 million visitors step through the entrance every year, sometimes recalling Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame as bells chime in the north tower.
Most stunning is the west façade with its decorated portals, gallery of kings, rose window and twin towers. The 387 steps up the south tower are worth the effort for the view. The cathedral boasts three organs, precious paintings and statues, stained glass in the cloister and a celebrated south rose window. The Treasury displays religious objects, including a reliquary by Viollet le Duc who restored the building in the 19th century.
Centre Pompidou Paris
Built in the 1970s and named after a former French President, the Centre Pompidou aims to stun with bright high-tech. architecture based on steel, concrete and glass, with exposed framework. The New York Times reported it as ‘turning the world of architecture upside down’ and even today it raises a few eyebrows.
The centre is a multi-purpose venue, housing a public reference library, National Modern Art Museum and a music and acoustics research centre. There are exhibitions, debates, conferences and shows and on the 6th floor, Restaurant George with panoramic views. The square below is a favourite meeting place of street performers and artists.
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