Map and sights Paris...

Jornal of a Trip to Paris –
Northeast of the Seine River lie, among others, Notre Dame, the Centre Pompidou, Sacrè Coeur and the Louvre with the gardens of the Tuileries...

We began our walk through the city at the Mètro-Station “Bastille” in the eastern part of Paris. The Bastille was a well-known state prison in the eighteenth century.

After it was overthrown in 1789 the building was destroyed. All that is left is a victory column as a reminder of gruesome times.

Further to the West, at the St. Antoine, lies the Place des Vosges (Place des Vosges).

The center is surrounded by houses of similar architecture, beautiful fountains and a great number of trees which elicit a romantic atmosphere.

Today it is used as a playground and a meeting place for the people that live in the Marais part of town.

This section, Marais, lies north of the Ile de la citè, near the 4th Arrondissement . In the last forty years most of the buildings have been rennovated or reconstructed; it brought back the atmosphere of charm and grandezza. In the sixteenth and seventeenth century Marais was the home of aristocratic and well-to-do society. It is advisable to find a nice cafè here to take in this atmosphere.

When wandering back to the Seine, automatically you will pass the Ile de la Citè. This “island” is the historical and geographic center of Paris. Here dominates the world-famous cathedral Notre Dame.

It`s groundstone was placed in 1163, to build it took 150 years. You can best look upon it from the Place du Parvis which is situated in front of the cathedral.

From the rear of the building you have a view of the spider-like columns that support the structure.

Another interesting buildung on the Ile de la Cite lies next to Notre Dame; the Sainte-Chapelle. This “holy chapel” is only used for very special occasions, holy masses and concerts.

The church is one of the most impressive Gothic buildings in Paris. Next to it there is , behind a metal gate, the entrance to the Palais de Justice which was built in the thirteenth century and was considered a miracle of High Gothic. The huge iron gate is also a sight to see; it was crafted in Ludwig XVIs era. Connected to it is the Concierge which was once a prison and now serves as a museum.

Across from the Ile de la Citè .on the northern side of the Seine you will find the City Hall of Paris (Hotel de Ville). The mayor has been residing there since 1977. He is responsible for all of the 20 Arrondissements. The building was built in the Neo-Renaissance-Style in 1873.

If you continue north on the Rue Saint-Martin you will soon arrive at the Centre Pompidou. This structure was the cause of many heated discussions. The purpose of this building was to house all the fine arts and cultural events such as paintings, design, architecture, music and lectures. The design of the building turned out to look like a chemical plant and doesn`t really consign to the surroundings. Meanwhile it is just as accepted and famous as some of the historical buildings.

If you continue on to the West, for example the Rue Berger, you pass Chalet-les-Halles and Les Halles. These Halles used to be the main marketplace for meat and vegetable products. Now they are used for cultural purposes.

Now again it`s time to return to the Seine. In passing Saint-Germain-Auxerrois which used to be the church of the Bishop of Auxerre, we come to the eastwing of the Louvre. Since the French Revolution the building that used to be the King`s Palace has served as the largest Art Museum in France. The Louvre is the second-largest Art Museum of the world. The art collection is sensational and the most sensational portrait is that of the Mona Lisa which is protected by a strong layer of glass.

The building of the Louvre and it`s surroundings themselves are worth viewing. tThe center court opens up to the large pyramid, in the western direction to the petite Arch of Triumph (Arc de Triophe du Carrousel) and the royal gardens of the Tuileries.
 

Test Canon EOS 400D
The digital SLR from Canon

When leaving the Louvre complex via the Place du Caroussel. in the northern direction .you arrive at the Palais Royal which nowadays is used as the Senate.

In the southern area you will find many geometrically positioned, striped columns; an artwork designed by Daniel Buren. It is a well-used parcour for in-line skaters. At the northern side of the building is a lovely park in which you can relax away from all the tourists visiting the Louvre and the Tuileries.

While walking through the tree alley of the Jardin des Tuileries you can watch the boule players. Eventually you will arrive at the Place de la cooncorde. A detour in the northerly direction is worthwhile, it will take you via the Rue Castiglione to the Place Vendome.

In it`s center there is a 44 meter high victory-column built in rememberance of Napoleon`s battle at Austerlitz. Professionals describe the plaza as one of the best examples of of harmonic city- architecture in Europe. As we progress further North we arrive at the Opèra-Garnier, the opera house of Paris. It was built in the nineteenth century in an area consisting of 11.000 square meters as the largest opera-house of the world. Inside there is only room for 2,000 visitors.

The second part of our expedition will continue in the description "Nordwestlich der Seine" on the following page.

Should you be looking for the Hard Rock Cafè Paris, you will find it near the opera a little further to the East, in 14, Boulevard Montmartre.

A trip in the evening can be enjoyable on the hill of Monmartre where you will find the flair of artistic surroundings and quaint bars and restaurants. When the sun sets there is no better place than the steps in front of the Sacrè Coeur church which was built in 1919. This church is also one of the best-known symbols in the city. The hill it is built on is the only hill in the wider vicinity.

After taking in the beautiful view across almost all of Paris it would be advisable to take in a typically french meal in one of the cozy taverns, accompanied by piano music and a glass of red wine. There a quite a few taverns behind and around the church. If you take the trouble to walk a few meters away from the church the prices and the quality improve.

Later on it might be exciting to walk down the hill of the Monmartre where you will find yourself between the Place Pigalle and the Place de Clichy, the most famous red-light district in Europe. Here you will find everything in combination with erotic adventure; strip-tease bars, sassy cabarets, erotic museums, sex-shops, pornography and prostitution.... 

After these absolute highlights – Notre Dame, the Centre Pompidou, the church of Sacrè Coeur and the Louvre with the gardens of the Tuileries we will now continue to the Northwest of the Seine....


 In cooperation with the Reiseportal Fakten und Sehenswürdigkeiten in Europa. 

Paris north-western of the river Seine ...  
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