FAMOUS SIGHTS Eiffel Tower (Métro Bir Hakeim, RER:
Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel; bus: 42, 69, 72, 82, 87). Quai
Branly
The Tour Eiffel has had a rough history. It faced opposition when it was built
for the World Fair of 1889, and was almost pulled down in 1909. AT 318 m high
it is now one of the worlds most famous monuments. There are three public levels.
It is open daily from 9.30am to 11pm. Fees apply for the different levels.
Admission: 1st level €3.70 lift/€3.05 stairs, 2nd level €6.90
lift/€3.05 stairs, 3rd level €9.95 lift only. Open Jun-Aug 9am-midnight
daily, Sep-Jun 9.30am-11pm daily.
Champs-Élysées
This 2 kilometre avenue was once popular with the aristocracy where they could
parade their wealth. It is now over run with fast food restaurants, shopping
centres and cinemas. But it is still fun to walk down the street particularly
at night when it is lit up with fairy lights.
Arc de Triomphe (metro Charles de Gaulle Etoile,
bus 73), Place du Étoile
The world's largest traffic roundabout (of 12 avenues) is also Paris' most second
famous landmark. Don't try crossing here without extreme caution. It was commissioned
in 1806 by Napoleon to commemorate his victories. Admission to the top is €6.45,
under 26 €4 . Open daily Apr-Sep 9.30am-11pm; Oct-Mar 10am-10pm.
CHURCHES Notre Dame (Métro Cité, RER:
St Michel; bus: 21, 24, 27, 38, 47, 85, 96). Place du Parvis
Notre Dame
One of the most famed cathedrals in the world for its Gothic architecture, namely
the gargoyles that look out across the city. From the top of the west facade
are great views over Paris. Inside are numerous statues, a 7800 pipe organ and
rose windows. Notre Dame was begun in 1163 and completed in 1345. It can hold
over 6000 worshippers. Notre Dame of course rose to fame when Victor Hugo wrote
his popular novel. There is no cost to enter the church, fees apply to climb
the tower. Admission: free; €2.30, students €1.55 for the treasury; €3.55
for the crypt; €5.35, students €3.55 to climb the tower. Open: Mon-Fri
8am-6.45pm, Sat-Sun 8am-7.45pm; treasury: Mon-Sat 9.30am-11am & 1pm-6pm;
crypt: 10am-6pm daily; tower open: 9.30am-6pm daily.
Sainte Chapelle
The Sainte Chapelle is just inside the Palais de Justice (law courts). It was
built to house Jesus' crown of thorns and other relics. Security is tight but
once inside you may get to hear civil cases (morning) or criminal trials (after
lunch).
Sacré Coeur (Métro Anvers, Abbesses,
Château Rouge, Lamarck-Caulaincourt; bus: 30, 54, 80,
85, Montmartrobus). 35, rue du Chevalier de la Barre
Sacré Coeur was only completed in 1912 so it is relatively new compared
to other monuments around Paris. It dominates the hill at Montmartre and has
a great view from the top. The area surrounding is popular with tourists. Artists
congregate in the atmospheric streets behind the church. At the bottom of the
hill cheap clothing stalls offer great bargains.
Admission: free; dome & crypt €2.30, €1.25 students. Open 6.45am-11pm
daily; dome & crypt open: 9am-6pm daily.
MUSEUMS Musée du Louvre (metro Palais Royal-Musèe
du Louvre, bus: 21, 27, 39, 48, 658, 69, 72, 76, 95). Rue du
Rivoli
This museum was originally constructed as a fortress in 1200, waas rebuilt in
the mid 16th century as a royal palace and became a public museum in 1793. The
glass pyramid outside was added in the 1980s. There are always huge queues to
enter the museum with its collections of Etruscan, Geek, Roman, Islamic, Assyrian,
Egyptian art. The most famous work is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Also inside
are the Venus de Milo and Winged Victory. Admission: €7.50, €5 after
3pm and all day Sun, free first Sun of each month. Open: Mon 9am-9.45pm, Wed-Sun
9am-6pm. Website: http://www.louvre.fr
Centre Georges Pompidou (metro Rambuteau,
Hôtel de Ville; or RER Chatelet-Les Halles and bus: 21,
29, 38, 47, 58, 69, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76, 81, 85, 96 ). Place
Beaubourg.
The Centre Georges Pompidou displays modern and contemporary art. Inside are
several galleries, a three-tiered library and outside on the square street musicians,
artists and mimers practice their own arts.
You have to pay to visit the art galleries but there is a free ride to the top
for a view of the city. The library is also free (long queues) and has English
language books and newspapers, CD listening stations, free language courses on
CD-ROM and cassette. Admission €5.49, students €3.51, free first Sun
of each month; special exhibits €6.40-8.54, students €4.57-6.40; museum & special
exhibits €9.91, students €7.93. Open Wed-Mon 11am-10pm. Website: http://www.cnac-gp.fr
Musée d'Orsay (metro Musèe d'Orsay; bus: 24, 63,
68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 94.) 1, rue de Bellechasse
Houses paintings and sculptures and works produced between 1848 and 1914. Open
daily (not Monday) from 10am to 6pm. Thursdays it is open until 9.45pm.
Admission: €7, students €5, free first Sun of each month. Open: Jun-Sep
Tue-Wed & Fri-Sun 9am-6pm, Thu 9am-9.45pm; Oct-May Tue-Wed & Fri-Sat
10am-6pm, Thu 10am-9.45pm, Sun 9am-6pm. Website: http://www.musee-orsay.fr
Musée Picasso (Métro Saint Paul,
Chemin Vert, Filles du Calvaire; bus: 29, 69, 76, 93. 5), rue
de Thorigny
This museum contains over 3000 artworks by Pablo Picasso and works by Cézanne
and Matisse. Admission: €4.60, €3.05 students, €3.05 for everyone
on Sundays. Open: Apr-Sep Wed-Mon 9.30am-6pm; Oct-Mar Wed-Mon 9.30am-5.30pm.
Invalides (metro Invalides for the Esplanade,
metro Varenne or Latour Maubourg for the main building, bus:
28, 49, 63, 69, 82, 83, 87, 92.) Place Vauban
This was built in the 1670s to provide housing for disabled veterans. It was
also the headquarters of the military governor of Paris and stored guns and ammunition.
It now houses the tomb of Napoleon. The Musée de l'Armée has displays
of military uniforms and armour. Admission: €6. Open Apr-Sep 10am-5.45pm
daily, Oct-Mar 10am-4.45pm daily. Website: http://www.invalides.org
OTHER AREAS Catacombes (place Denfert Rochereau, Métro/RER
Denfert Rochereau; bus: 38, 68).
Paris' disused quarries were used to store bones when its cemeteries filled and
hygiene became a problem. During WWII these tunnels were used by the Rèsistance.
Open Tuesday to Friday from 2 to 4pm, weekends from 9 to 11am and 2 to 4pm. Admission: €5.
Open Tue-Fri 2-4pm, Sat-Sun 9-11am & 2-4pm.
