Paris and its builders have always liked to experiment with the new, modern and controversial – from Baron Haussmann to Eiffel and Le Corbusier – and the trend continued to more recent days. Time has proved the critics of the time wrong and many of the ambitious projects became iconic symbols of this colourful and [...]
Meaning “street of gaiety,” Rue de la Gaîté was at the end of the country road leading from Clamart to the gate of Montparnasse. The street stood outside the old wall, which still remains nearby at Place Denfert-Rochereau. Taverns were standing outside the wall to avoid paying taxes, particularly on the wine. In 1860 Emile [...]
Located in the fifth arrondissement (district) of Paris, the area around Rue Mouffetard is one of the oldest and liveliest neighborhoods in the city. It runs between the Place Contrescarpe, at its northern end, and Square Saint-Médard at the southern end. There are many restaurants, cafés, bars and shops along the street and an open-air street market [...]
Paris is famous for its markets, small or big, and getting fresh produce from them is still very much part of Parisian life. In the popular and elegant 7th arrondissement, near the Champs de Mars park and the Eiffel Tower, Rue Cler is a cute little market-street. Although more and more tourists visit Rue Cler [...]
Chateau Vaux le Vicomte is located about 50km south east of Paris and is reachable by train from Paris in a couple of hours. The castle is privately owned and is maintained rather well for visits. While this castle is small compared to Versailles it is still an amazing visit and specifically a great historical [...]
Correct name for this little arch is Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel which is located on la Place du Carrousel (named Carrousel from the horse dressage displays done on the square). This arch was built in 1806 to commemorate Napoleon’s victories of previous years. The arch is the second monument in the line that goes [...]
Extending from the Seine all the way to the Rue de Rivoli is the Place de la Concorde, the largest and the most famous single square in Paris. It probably would be possible to come to Paris and miss this square if (a) your hotel was located somewhere in the Latin Quarter and you never [...]
Created in 1667 by André Le Nôtre, Louis XIV’s gardener,in order to improve the view from the Tuileries garden. The avenue was lengthened at the end of the 18th century, running from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. Two kilometers long and bordered by trees, les Champs-Elysées has become the center for festivities [...]
Located on the top of the hill of Montmartre, at what is the highest natural point in Paris, the Basilique du Sacre Coeur stands proud as one of Paris’ most visited destinations. The Sacre Coeur is one of the later churches built in Paris. It was completed in 1914 and opened in 1919 after the [...]
Canal Saint Martin, built in the days of Napoleon 1 (way back in the early 19th century) was not just a solution to fresh water to Paris but also opened transport lines within France and connected the rivers. In fact France has a very intricate system of canals throughout the country that have historically been [...]
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