Enjoy this visit of the Louvre.
A.G.
Visit the Louvre with A.G.
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Nature Capital Project in Paris
A little video to show you that the Champs Elysées can be very green !
A . E
Interview:
Interview
Can you talk about yourself and say why you’re in Paris ? (travel, work..)
My name is Lena, I’m 26 years old and I come from Australia. I’m here to visit Paris with my boyfriend.
Did you came thanks to an organized travel or did you organized your days in the city?
No, we improvise our days even if it’s not always easy. We use a tourist book and a little plan of the city.
If there were websites edited by Parisians which gave examples of “perfect” days in Paris, would you think it’s a good idea?
Yes sure, because we don’t always know the opening hours of monuments and all the tips! And follow one day a guide organized by french people who’re living here, it’s a good idea. They know the city, the transports, the tips, everything! And there aren’t constraints of an organized trip, we’re free to follow as we want.
Would you try or follow one of this website?
It depend of the popularity of the website…
A.O.
Finally, you get to see the Eiffel Tower
What can you do on Monday? How about discovering the Eiffel tower and well see the “Invalides” and “Trocadero” areas!
The Eiffel tower:
Maybe we will start with a little explanation of this famous monument. The Eiffel tower was constructed in 1889 by the engineer Gustave Eiffel. The fact that it is an iron tower with an unseen design brought the displeasure of some artist who didn’t like the concept of constructing such a tower. Now it is considered as one of the most powerful cultural icon of France and it is one of the most famous structures in the world. We can say that the Eiffel tower is a classic; you have to see it once in your life! Not only because it is a unique monument but also because the view is outstanding. Kids are usually excited about climbing this huge tower. Just be careful about the fact that you have to wait at least 2 hours to enter the tower and go up during the day, that’s why it can be good to visit the monument during the night. The view is also splendid during the night!
You can visit the Eiffel tower every day in the year. From 9 am to midnight between the 15 June and the 1 September. From 9:30 am to 11 pm the rest of the year. You can also use the stairs and the elevator from 9 am to midnight between 15 June and 1 September (if you want to go at the top of the tower it is not midnight but 11 pm). As for the rest of the year the use of the elevator is from 9:30 am to 11 pm (10:30 pm for the top) and the use of the stairs is from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. The price of one ticket is between 10 and 15 euros.
Well you have all the information you need to be prepared to visit this amazing monument. However, this can’t be your only activity during the whole day, you have plenty of time!
Invalides:
Of course, if you want to visit this district you already want to see L’Hôtel national des Invalides (The National Residence of the Invalids). This monument was constructed by Louis XIV in 1671 to receive and to give a place to members of the French army. Nowadays, the monument is the host of the Ministry of defence and also of a museum. Anyway, this monument is not the only one you can visit through this beautiful district. You can first go to the “Palais Bourbon” where you can find the national assembly. It was constructed in 1726. The visit of this place is free with a reservation and only if you are invited by a deputy.
Then you can go to the “L’église du dôme” where you can find Napoleon I grave. This dome was constructed between 1679 and 1706. This is the most beautiful dome ever created in France and the grave of the emperor Napoleon I is inside since the 2 April 1861.
Trocadero:
The Trocadero is an area in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. If there is a garden to visit it is the garden of the Trocadero! You have a splendid view on 93 930 of beautiful gardens and also a view on the super Eiffel tower. You can find the famous fountain of Varsovie at the centre of the garden with its 20 canons which offer a great aquatic spectacle.
You can also find the esplanade of the Trocadero which offers the most panoramic view of the Eiffel tower and its gardens. A real paradise for the photographers who wants to get the most beautiful pictures of the monument. During the summer you can enjoy staying in this place a little bit and enjoy the sun!
As for lunch, you will find all the restaurants you want wherever you want.
Enjoy your day and just have fun!
S.A
Walk in the North of Paris
It’s Tuesday, your second day in Paris. Let’s discover the north of Paris ! Have a nice walk during day in an typical old district : Montmartre. Then let the charms of the Pigalle’s nights take you away in its madness.
Montmartre
This place used to be an old village that belongs to the city of Paris since 1860. Montmartre is located in the 18th district in the north of Paris, at 130 meters. It still looks like a pretty village with its small streets and shops.
To get there, you’ll have to climb stair treads, and then you’ll arrive to “la Basilique du Sacré Coeur”, the tallest monument in Paris behind the Eiffel tower. From this place you can enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the capital.
The “place du Tertre” is quite close to you, with its painters and drawers, its typical alleys and the Espace Dali, a museum dedicated to the works of the surrealist artist. Because at the beginning of the XXth century Montmartre has been an important artistic center in Paris. Famous artists like Picasso, Van Gogh or Modigliani, used to live in Montmartre.
Montmartre is also known for its theater and cabarets, with the legendary Chat Noir or Lapin Agile. Famous singers started in those places, for example Edith Piaf and Georges Brassens. In Lepic street (rue Lepic) you can see the wings of the only windmill in working condition of Paris, it was painted by Renoir, that’s what makes it famous.
But there is another famous windmill close, the Moulin Rouge ! In the district of Pigalle, popular for its many bars, theaters, nightclubs, and its sexy reputation.
Pigalle
Pigalle is a place entirely devoted to the pleasures of the fest, according to its reputation. This is in fact a place full of bars, nightclubs, cabarets and sex shops! Many famous artists used to have fun in Pigalle, like Josephine Baker, Duke Ellington, Ernest Hemingway or Pablo Picasso.
Le Dandy is a nightclub housed in a former brothel; it makes this place a remarkable testimony to the history of Pigalle.
Le Moulin Rouge is one of the most touristic places in Paris that everyone knows. But nowadays young people can party in La Machine du Moulin Rouge. It’s a huge nightclub, located under the Moulin Rouge, with 3 rooms, and usually some very good music.
There is many others famous concert hall, La Cigale, le Trianon, Le Divan du Monde, la Boule Noire, where you can see actual famous singer, bands or Dj’s.
If you are a bit naughty, there are many sex shop in Pigalle, the biggest one is the Sexodrome, you’ll find everything you need, and others things that you did not know they exist. You can also walk in the small streets, get into a bar and find some girls..
Pigalle has given his name to a brand “Pigalle”, very hipster, and wear by famous rapper around the world, like Asap Rocky, or Rihanna. Finally, Pigalle is the location of all vices, that is a part of the identity of Paris, and make it so beautiful.
More informations
A C
Your Wednesday : Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees Avenue and The Place de la Condorde
This journey will be a very interesting day. It will be more pleasant if there is nice weather because you will have the chance to walk in Paris and spend all your time outside!
The morning: The Arc de Triomphe
After having a good breakfast, we have decided to show you the Arc de Triomphe on the Place Charles de Gaulle ( Place de l’Etoile).
A little bit of history …
The construction of the “Triumphal Arch” started in 1806 and finished in 1836 and was designed by Jean Chalgrin.
The Emperor Napoleon asked for the construction after the victory at Austerlitz in 1806: it honours those who fought and died for France. The names of all French victories and generals are written on its inner and outer surfaces.
The other important thing to know about the Arc de Triomphe is that this is the place where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I lies. On this tomb, there is an eternal flame: it burns in memory of the dead who were never identified in both world wars.
Now, every 11 November stands a ceremony on the anniversary of the armistice signed between France and Germany in 1918.
Practical information
The first thing you must do is to walk beneath the vault. You will see the architecture and the tomb. After that, we recommand strongly to climb upstairs to see the amazing view: the Champs-Elysees Avenue with the Place de la Concorde in the background. You will also see the Place de l’Etoile and understand the origin its name.
The Arc de Triomphe opens at 10 a.m and closes at 11 p.m
The visit costs 9.50 euros and is free for students under 18 years.
The afternoon : The Champs-Elysees Avenue
Everybody knows it: it’s one of the most famous streets in the world and you can’t escape of going down this avenue.
A little bit of history …
At her construction this avenue was only gardens. The avenue was transformed by the landscape architect André Le Nôtre in 1667 according to the wishes of Louis XIV. It was commissioned in 1670 and was then called “Grand Cours” (the Great Course) and wouldn’t take the name of Champs-Élysées until 1709.
Only a few people live on this avenue because of the very high rents.
It’s on this avenue that stands on 14 July the largest military parade of Europe! During the year, each time there is something to celebrate, you can be sure to find a lot of people on this beautiful avenue.
What to do?
The avenue is also very famous for the shopping: there are very expensive stores like Cartier or Louis Vuitton, but there are also cheaper brands like Zara, H&M or Abercrombie & Fitch. Don’t be shy and don’t hesitate to enter in every store : some of them are really beautiful.
Where to lunch or have a drink?
Because you will spend a good part of your journey strolling in front of the shopwindows, you will probably become hungry.
Don’t worry, everything is here!
If you are a very rich person, you can go to the Fouquet’s, a very famous restaurant of the Champs-Elysees. But you don’t have to pay a fortune to eat on the avenue: There are a lot of little stores like “Pomme de Pain” or “La Brioche Dorée” which offer a lot of little meals or sandwichs, whis tables and chairs to make a break.
Don’t miss the store La Duree, a very famous brand of macarons. You will be able to taste a lot of cake with a delicious coffee.
To have a drink, there are a lot of bars on the avenue, some very expensive (like the George IV), but you will also find places like Starbucks.
The end of the day: the bottom of the Champs-Elysées and the Place de la Concorde
At the very end of the avenue, the stores will dissappear and you will find beautiful places with a lot of gardens, like The Grand Palais. If you walk a little bit, you will arrive at the Place de la Concorde.
A little bit of history …
The place measures 8.64 hectares (21.3 acres) in area: it is the largest square in the French capital. The Place was designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel in 1755 and was called “Place Louis XV” (the name of the king at that time).
During the French Revolution, the statue of Louis XV was torn down and the area renamed “Place de la Révolution”. It was here that King Louis XVI was executed on 21 January 1793.
In 1795, the square was renamed “Place de la Concorde” as a gesture of reconciliation after the French Revolution.
The center of the Place is occupied by a giant Egyptian obelisk with hieroglyphics. It is one of two the Egyptian government gave to the French in the 19th century. The other one stayed in Egypt : It was giving back to Egyptians in the 1990s by President François Mitterrand.
Where to have dinner?
If you want to have a very expensive dinner, you can go to the Crillon, a beautiful hotel on the Place de la Concorde.
But we propose you the restaurant Fuxia, who stands rue Saint Honoré, a delicious place where you can eat pasta!
We hope you enjoyed your day, and see you tomorrow !
Alice Ecourtemer.
Latin Quarter
Plan your Thursday :
You are an English-speaking student who wants to say that he knows everything of Paris, and who will have visited the inescapable places of the capital? Here is a day to spend a pleasant moment in the French capital.
Watch out, you will be surprised by all that this city can offer.
No matter if you are in town since a few days or wherever you’ve just arrived, if you followed our advices or if you get ready to follow them, here is an example of day completed in Paris.
What do you think about a day around 3 districts (the 5th, the 6th and the 14th ) ? This day is perfect to associate visit, relaxation and discovery. It will be mainly centered around the garden and the palace of the Luxembourg, the Pantheon and the district Montparnasse.
Our team made you a program rich and optimized for a maximum of profit. The goal is to take as least as possible transport to cross the city. So the activities are situated in the same geographical area. To start the day, if you want to take advantage of the city and the Parisian cafés, give up the breakfast of your hotel and go out to the first café you see. Plunge into the French spirit with the warm croissant and the hot chocolate or the café.
Appointment at the Pantheon near 10 am.
This leader of work of the architect Soufflot is situated right in the heart of the Latin Quarter.
This monument strives to honor great men who marked the history of France. You have to count between 45 minutes and 1:30 hours to visit the site.
Some information:
- Closed the 1st of January, 1st of May and the 25th of December.
- Prices : between 4,50 € and 7,50 €
Then, walk in the Latin Quarter. If you want, you can go to the Jardin des plantes, in the East of the Panthéon (you can walk if it’s sunny to take advantage of the Quarter, or you can use the underground if it’s rainy). The entrances of parks are free, except for the Parc Alpin (2 €) and for the Grandes Serres (between 4 and 6 €).
To continue, there are two possibilities:
- You can picnic in the Jardin du Luxembourg, if you’re lucky with the sun, surrounded by musicians on the lawn, and then you can visit the Palais du Luxembourg.
- You can also eat in a restaurant in the area. There are a lot! Then you can go to the Jardin and the Palais du Luxembourg.
For the Palais du Luxembourg, we suggest you to surf on the Internet to know the exposition of the moment with the dates and the hours.
To continue, walk in the Quarter, to take advantage of the city.
Finally, appointment in Montparnasse, where you will admire the tower and then eat some crêpes in one of the creperies of the area to end the day in beauty and in an original way.
It is a perfect Thursday in Paris !
How to go
Panthéon :
Métro : line 10, stations Maubert-Mutualité and Cardinal-Lemoine
Bus : lines 21, 27, 38, 82, 84, 85, 89
RER : line B, station Luxembourg
Jardin des plantes :
Bus : Lines 24, 57, 61, 63, 67, 89 and 91.
Batobus : Jardin des Plantes.
Metro, RER : line 5 Austerlitz – line 7 Censier Daubenton – line 10 Jussieu or Austerlitz – RER C.
Gare SNCF : Gare d’Austerlitz and Gare de Lyon.
Jardin du Luxembourg :
Métro : Odéon, RER : station Luxembourg
Bus : 21, 27, 38, 58, 82, 83, 84, 85, 89
Palais du Luxembourg :
RER : line B, to Luxembourg (exit Jardin du Luxembourg)
Metro : line 4, to Saint Sulpice; line 10, to Mabillon
Bus : lines 58, 84, 89, to Luxembourg ; Lines 63,70, 87, 86, 93, to Saint Sulpice
Plan : few tickets for the underground or if you don’t want, plan to walk.
Budget : between 20 and 60 euros
Map :
http://www.plan-metro-paris.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/metro-paris.gif
For more information :
http://www.senat.fr/visite/jardin/infos_pratiques.html
http://www.museeduluxembourg.fr/en/infos-pratiques/acces/
http://www.jardindesplantes.net/venir-au-jardin/acces-horaires-et-tarifs#paragraph-1
http://pantheon.monuments-nationaux.fr/
A.O.
In the steps of French kings
The week-end is coming, and the classes are soon ending.
Friday
Notre-Dame de Paris
Have you ever read Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo? No? Notre-Dame de Paris (simply named Notre-Dame, or in english, Our Lady of Paris) is one the most renowned churches in the world, and a “must see” of Paris. It was completed in 1345 and was built to crown European kings.
Staring at Notre-Dame and wondering how such a massive building might have been completed is quite an experience. But, compared to the inside, walking in the church, staring at the stained glass, and looking at the organ (over 7,370 pipes) is even more amazing. Notre-Dame is also known for its bells, each one having a name, and its gargoyles. Moreover, visiting the crypts might interest you. One reason is that in those crypts, Musée Carnavalet displays detailed scale models of the cathedral’s evolution.
The visit of Notre-Dame should last the morning. It is opened from 8 AM to 6.45 PM and the entrance is free.
Lunch
For lunch, there is an excellent open-air restaurant, “La Terrasse de Pomone”, near the Musée du Louvre, in the Jardin des Tuileries. It is quite calm, and you have a wonderful view on the Louvre Museum, which is the next stop of your trip.
Le Musée du Louvre
Have you ever read the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown? When Robert Langdon goes to the Louvre Museum? No? It does not really matter, because you will visit it. Before becoming a world-famous museum, the Louvre was a fortress. It was built at the end of the twelfth century, and has modified many times since. Moreover, before they moved to the Château de Versailles, the French government and court were located in this palace.
When you arrive at the Louvre, the first thing you might notice is that there is a glass pyramid. Yes, we Parisians, have a pyramid. You’re not really interested? OK. So let’s go under the pyramid (it is the museum entrance). When you finally get your ticket, just look up at the pyramid one last time, and you will see two other subterranean pyramids. You may now enter the museum. The Louvre has some masterpieces as the Mona Lisa. But there is 8 departments at the Louvre, each one having a theme: Egyptian Antiquities; Near Eastern Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; Islamic Art; Sculpture; Decorative Arts; Paintings; Prints and Drawings. To see everything in the museum would take many days, so I advise you to choose yourself the departments you want to visit. One other interest of the Louvre is that there is a nocturnal opening the Friday.
The tickets are 12€ for adults, and is free for under 18. The museum is open from 9 AM to 9.45 PM the Friday, from 9 AM to 6 PM the week end.
Now that you have seen the court and government location before Louis XIV, let’s go to the next stop: the Chateau de Versailles (Versailles’ castle)
Saturday and Sunday
Versailles
It is worldwide known thanks to Louis XIV. It was originally a hunting lodge under Louis XIII, but Louis XIV wanting to demonstrate his own magnificence, he ordered Andre le Notre to expand it. From 1682 to the French revolution, it was the government and court location, which was primarly the Louvre Palace. It is now on the UNESCO’s world heritage list.
The Château de Versailles and its surrounding must be visited at least once in your life. Because of the huge size of the castle and the immense garden behind, I advised you take a whole week-end to visit.
Visiting the castle, you can look at the 60 beautiful pictures of Louis XIV painted of the roof of the Galerie des Glaces, or wonder how a such beautiful might have been built. Maybe would you rather imagine what how people where living during Louis XIV reign in the castle, walking in the apartment. But you may prefer to take a walk in the garden, to admire the trees, .
It will cost 18€ for a one day passport, 25€ for a 2-day passport. You may access to Versailles thanks to the RER C (Station Versailles Rive Gauche),using a SNCF train (Versailles Chantiers and Versailles Rive Droite) or taking the Versailles Express at the Eiffel Tower (2 derpartures/day: 8am and 2pm).
Other informations
Here are the websites of the monuments, if you need more informations:
http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/
http://www.chateauversailles.fr/
I hope you will have a great trip on Paris, and that you will come back in Paris after your studies.
A.G.
A perfect week in Paris 
