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To see: the heart
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To see: the heart of Paris
La Madeleine
Metro: Madeleine
La Madeleine is one of the best-known churches in Paris, even though it doesn't really look like a church. Its construction started in the 18th Century, but it was entirely demolished during the French Revolution. Napoleon wanted to build a temple there to honour his soldiers. Construction started again in 1806 and was finally completed in 1842 after Napoleon's death, when it was decided the building was to become a church after all.
Much like a Greek temple, the building is surrounded by a row of 52 Corinthian pillars that are each 20 metres tall. Many rich people attend high mass here. The square around the church is the centre of a posh area and is surrounded by expensive restaurants and exclusive shops.
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Opéra
Metro: Opéra
To be perfectly clear, there are two grand operas: one at the Place de la Bastille and one in the centre, the Opéra Garnier, which is the one we discuss here. The Opéra Garnier is located on the Place de l'Opera. Before the opera was built, the builders had to flatten a hill. The hill had a violent past. It was where the city's hard men were hanged and forgers were thrown into boiling water.
The construction of this beautiful building was started in the glory days of Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann. It was to become a grand building to surpass all others and was to become the home of the Académie Nationale de Musique. It was opened in 1875 with a lavish gala frequented by the judiciary and high society. The building's interior is very luxurious. The entry hall has many marble supports and a wide grand staircase. Its huge stage has room to accommodate no less than 500 actors.
Place Vendôme
Metro: Tuileries
The Ritz hotel on this square went into the history books as the place where Princess Diana was staying when she left for that fatal ride through the tunnels of Paris. The Place Vendôme is mainly famous for its individual character. It was built in the 18th century in the style of Louis XIV, the sun king. Originally an equestrian statue of Louis XIV stood on the square. In 1810 it was replaced by a 43 metre tall pillar.
The pillar depicts Napoleon as a Roman Emperor and is made of bronze melted from 1,200 cannons seized during the battle of Austerlitz. The pictures on the pillars depict the highlights of Napoleon's career.
Elysée Palace
Metro: Miromesnil
When you see the President receiving foreign guests on television, he is probably at this palace. It is the official presidential residence. The building is located behind the major embassies. It was built in 1720. Guards in feathered hats still stand outside the palace just as they did in 1873, the year the first French president came to power.
Place de la Concorde
Metro: Concorde
When you read the word Concorde, you may think of the supersonic aircraft, but this square is centuries older. Here it simply means 'Square of Concord'. It is the biggest and most impressive square of the city and was a gift to Louis XV. An equestrian statue of him used to stand here, but it was destroyed in 1792. Unfortunately, it was replaced by a guillotine in 1793. The square guillotine was used for two years and made 1300 heads roll onto the paving bricks. In 1836, a 23 metre tall obelisk was erected here. It was originally built in 1250 B.C. in Luxor and weighs 230 tons. It took two years to transport the obelisk to Paris and it took another three years to erect it. The pillar is covered in hieroglyphs of the pharaoh who had it built. There are large fountains at each side of the square. The one on the side of the Seine is dedicated to the seas and the oceans; the other one is dedicated to the rivers.
Palais Bourbon
Metro: Invalides
Also called the Assemblée Nationale, France's lower house. This palace was built in 1722 and converted by Napoleon I to better suit the La Madeleine church at the other side of Place de la Concorde. Nowadays it is the home of the French parliament (Assemblée Nationale).
Grand Palais et Petit Palais
Metro: Champs Elysées Clemenceau
During the world fair of 1900, two exhibition halls were built between the Seine and the 2 kilometre long Avenue des Champs Elysées. The Grand Palais serves as an exhibition area. The west wing (Palais de la Découverte) is a very interesting technical museum affiliated to the University of Paris, which includes a planetarium. The Petit Palais houses the Musée des Beaux Arts or Museum of Fine Arts, which has a collection of art up until the 20th century.
Jardin des Tuileries
Metro: Tuileries
At first, there was a roof tile factory here called Les Tuileries. Then a palace was built, which completely enclosed the inner courtyard of the Louvre. The palace was also called Tuileries. In 1871 the Communards set the building on fire, almost burning down the Louvre as well. The ruins remained until 1884, when they were finally cleared. The Jardin du Carrousel gardens were laid out on the same spot and include the Arc de Triomphe de Carrousel, sometimes referred to as the Petit Arc de Triomphe. Napoleon I had it erected to glorify his great deeds.
Musée d'Orsay
Metro: Musée d'Orsay
In the past this building was a railway station. It was built in the 19th century. In the early 20th century, it became apparent that trains could no longer be let into the heart of the city. After a period of decay, President Pompidou took the initiative to turn it into a museum. The renovation works started in the early eighties.
The Musée d'Orsay is one of the most popular museums in France and often has long queues at the ticket office. There is a separate entrance for Museum Pass holders (group entrance). The museum houses art from the 19th century to the present day. The best-known and most visited works are those of the impressionists. In addition to the paintings, you can also find sculptures, photographs and other forms of art. Large bronze statues representing de various continents of the world welcome you at the entrance.
Pont Neuf
Metro: Pont Neuf
Like the Pont Alexandre III, the Pont Neuf is a very well-known Parisian bridge. It is also the oldest of all of the remaining bridges. It was built in the 16th century and caused a great deal of commotion as it was the first bridge that did not have houses on it. In those days, bridges always used to have houses on them.
Sainte-Chapelle
Metro: Cité
This unique, gorgeous church is hidden within the Palais de Justice on Ile de la Cité, just a stone's throw away from the Notre-Dame cathedral. In the 13th century Saint Louis had a palace built here, of which only the chapel remains. It has not been changed over the centuries, but is very different from the other Parisian churches of the same period. It has two floors. The ground floor is decorated less lavishly than the top floor, which was frequented by the high society. A visit to the Saint-Chapelle is highly recommended.
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
Metro: Cité
The Notre Dame cathedral is built on Ile de la Cité. In 1163 Bishop Maurice de Sully decided to build an early gothic cathedral here. Almost 170 years later it was finished. Few changes have been made since then. During the great restoration works by architect Viollet-le-Duc in 1850 very little was changed even though Viollet-le-Duc wanted to carry out major architectural changes. The only part that underwent a small change was the interior. This was the result of a vow made by King Louis XIII. He said that if he were to have a son after 23 years of marriage, he would have the altar rebuilt and would introduce a statue of the Holy Madonna. The statue still dominates the choir.
Hôtel de Ville
Metro: Hôtel de Ville
The present city hall was built in 1874. Like the Palais des Tuileries, the previous city hall was set on fire by the Communards in 1871. The granite forecourt is new (1982).
Tour St.-Jacques
Metro: Châtelet
A solitary 52 metre tall bell tower without a church. The St.-Jacques de la Boucherie church was demolished after the French Revolution. The tower was rented to a gun smith, who turned it into a foundry where lead shot was made. The lead was melted at a high level and poured down. As the lead descended, it quickly cooled down and formed round drops. At the bottom, the drops were caught in a water basin to cool down more. The city got the tower back and is responsible for its restoration.
Centre Pompidou
Metro: Rambuteau
The Centre Pompidou's real name is Centre National d'Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou. This monster looks more like a factory than a cultural centre. There used to be slums here. President Pompidou commissioned the construction of the building. It was opened in 1977.
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Picture: © Photographer: Vladimir Pomortsev | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Text: GVDV - © AT-Europe bvba
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