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Arc de Triomphe looks even better in real life. Pictures don't do it justice because it has so many beautiful details.
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The Hall of Mirrors in Palace of Versailles is just sumptuous. No words.
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Due to weather, the opening time of monuments could be changed. Please click the link, Hour, to confirm with their sites.
Also known as Château de Versailles in France, is a royal château in Versailles in the Île-de-France region of France. Louis XIV moved from Paris to Versailles in 1682. Versailles became the center of political power in France until 1789, when the royal family was forced to return to the capital.
Hour:
Castle 9am – 6:30pm from 4.01 to 10.31. 9am – 5:30pm from 11.01 to 3.31. Last entry 30 minutes before closing. Closed on Monday, 1.01, 5.01 and 12.25.
Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s Estate 12pm – 6:30pm from 4.01 to 10.31. 12pm – 5:30pm from 11.01 to 3.31. Last entry 30 minutes before closing. Closed on Monday.
Gardens 8am – 8:30pm from 4.01 to 10.31. 8am – 6pm from 11.01 to 3.31.
RER: Versailles Château-Rive gauche
Eiffel Tower 7th arrondissement
It is safe to say Eiffel Tower is the most iconic structure representing France. Designed by the engineer Gustave Eiffel, it was built for 1889 World's Fair as a temporary display but became permanent.
It has three levels. The first level and second level hold restaurants. The third level has an observatory. Tickets can be purchased to go up by stairs or elevator to the first level and second level and elevator to the third level.
The line for accessing the third level/top floor by lift is long. But if you book it online and make a reservation for the Eiffel Tower lift , it will not take long.
Hour:
6.15 to 9.01 –
9am – 12:45am for the lift and the last lift at 11pm. 9am – 12:45am for the stairs and the last admission at midnight.
The rest of the year –
9:30am – 11:45pm for the lift and the last lift at 10:30pm. 9:30 am – 6:30pm for the stairs and the last admission at 6pm.
Batobus: Eiffel Tower
Metro: Bir-Hakeim, Trocadéro
RER: Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel
Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile 8th arrondissement
It is at the western end of the Champs Elysées. Arc de Triomphe honors the soldiers who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars. Beneath it is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I.
Visitors can go up by stairs. The panoramic view up there is spectacular. Climbing stairs is not too hard. Just when you are about to give up and have no way to go down because there are many people behind you on the narrow stairway, you reach to the top.
Hour: 10am – 11pm from 4.01 to 9.30. 10am – 10:30pm from 10.1 to 3.31. Last entry 45 minutes before closing. Closed on 1.01, 5.01, 5.08, 7.14, 11.11 and 12. 25.
Batobus: Champs-Élysées
Metro: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile
Place de la Concorde 8th arrondissement
Place de la Concorde is a public square at the eastern end of the Champs Elysées. During the French Revolution, a guillotine was erected in the square. Marie Antoinette was guillotined here. Did she really deserve it, if you look at what came afterwards, emperors and the restoration of monarchy? Poor woman, had she given them some bread, it could have prevented the misery. The guillotine was removed in 1795.
Now a giant Egyptian obelisk decorated with hieroglyphics exalting the reign of the pharaoh Ramesses II stands where the guillotine used to be during the Revolution. The obelisk once marked the entrance to the Luxor Temple. The original cap is believed to be stolen. The French government added a gold-leafed pyramid cap to the top.
Metro: Concorde
Opéra Garnier 9th arrondissement
It is the home of Paris Opera Ballet and also houses the Library-Museum. The architecture style of this lavish building is Beaux-Arts. It emphasizes axial symmetry in plan and and exterior ornamentation.
Hour: 10am – 5pm. Last admission at 4:30pm. Closed on 1.01, 5.01 and days of exceptional events.
Metro: Opéra
Grand Palais 8th arrondissement
Grand Palais is an exhibition hall and museum complex located at the Champs-Élysées. It was built for the Universal Exposition of 1900, which also included the creation of Petit Palais and Pont Alexandre III.
It features the style of Beaux-Arts architecture with ornate decoration. New techniques were used at the time such as glass vault, iron, light steel framing, and reinforced concrete.
Hour: Opening hour depends on the exhibitions.
Batobus: Champs-Élysées
Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Champs-Elysées-Clémenceau
Petit Palais 8th arrondissement
Petit Palais was also built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, it now houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts. It locates near the Champs Elysées and faces Grand Palais.
Hour: 10am – 6pm. Closed on Monday.
Batobus: Champs-Élysées
Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Champs-Elysées-Clémenceau
Pont Alexandre III 8th arrondissement
Over River Seine, it connects the surrounding area of Champs-Élysées, Invalides, and Eiffel Tower.
The bridge with its Art Nouveau lamps, cherubs, nymphs and winged horses is considered to be the most beautiful bridge in Paris. It was built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900 like Grand Palais and Petit Palais.
Batobus: Champs-Élysées
Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Champs-Elysées-Clémenceau
Les Invalides 7th arrondissement
It holds museums related to military history of France. It also houses tombs and vaults of France's military heros such as Napoleon Bonaparte. The complex featuring French Baroque architecture was influenced by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the original for all Baroque domes.
Hour: 10am – 6pm.
Batobus: Champs-Élysées
Metro: Varenne, La Tour-Maubourg
Panthéon 5th arrondissement
Panthéon, located in Latin Quarter, embodies neoclassicism. The exterior was modeled on the Pantheon in Rome. It was originally used as a church now serves as a secular mausoleum for France's most distinguished citizens. If you are a fan of Victor Hugo, you should check this place out.
Hour: 10am – 6:30pm from 4.01 to 9.30. 10am – 6pm from 10.01 to 3.31. Last entry 45 minutes before closing. Closed on 1.01, 5.01 and 12.25.
Metro: Cardinal Lemoine
Place Vendôme 1st arrondissement
Place Vendôme is a square at the north of the Tuileries Garden. At the center of the square is the Vendôme Column. Today, the buildings on Place Vendôme are residences, retail stores and hotels.
Metro: Tuileries, Madeleine, Opéra
Conciergerie 1st arrondissement
Conciergerie is a former royal palace and prison in Paris. In late 18th century, many people were imprisoned by Revolutionary Tribunal in the Conciergerie including Queen Marie Antoinette. This was probably the most beautiful prison in the world.
Hour: 9:30am – 6pm. Last entry 30 minutes before closing. Closed on 1.01, 5.01 and 12.25.
Batobus: Notre-Dame
Metro: Cité, Châtelet
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