Paris, the city of light, has many of the world's most visited attractions,. Among them, the Eiffel tower, the Louvre palace, the Notre-Dame cathedral and the near-by Versailles palace are truly unique. The business district of La Défense with the Grande Arche from Danish architect Otto von Spreckelsen testifies to the economic and artistic vitality of Paris.
Can't decide how to spend your time in Paris City? Start with this list of Paris City's most popular attractions to get started planning your trip to France. Attractions In & Around:
Eiffel Tower
Paris just wouldn't be Paris without the Eiffel Tower. Designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World Fair, at 300m it was then the world's tallest building. Not everyone was happy when it was first built but today it is one of the world's most visited monuments. The Eiffel Tower remained the highest monument in the world until the construction of New York's Chrysler Building in 1930.
Notre-Dame
The major french religious building, masterpiece of gothic architecture.
Stade de France
This masterpiece of technology was built for the 1998 Football (soccer) World Cup with 80 000 covered seats.
La Defense
The 21 st century skyscrapers business district erected outside the western city-limits of Paris was recently enriched by the spectacular Grande Arche.
Assemblée Nationale - Palais Bourbon
Facing the Luxor obelisk this neo-classic palace (18th) houses one of the two chambers of the french parliament.
Champs-Elysees
The triumphal way which leads to the Arc de Triomphe.
Chateau de Versailles
The Sun-king palace in Versailles is half an hour by train from Paris
Les Invalides
Invalides Paris - The major dome of Paris hosting Napoleon's ashes is part of a majestic hospital ordered by the Sun-king.
Arc de Triomphe
From the Place de la Concorde all the way to the top of the Champs-Elysees, you will discover the Place de l'Etoile which is known today as the Place Charles de Gaulle. And, at this busy place lies the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the top for one of the best views of Paris. No, it doesn't go as high as the Eiffel Tower. But since Paris is relatively flat, the vantage point at this height is actually better. The arch of Triomph brings in 1.7 million visitors each year.
Bibliotheque Nationale de France
The National Library is an institution going back to 1368, housing the largest collection of geographical maps in the world along with 12 millions printed works and 250 000 manuscripts.
Opera Bastille - National Opera of Paris
With its 2 700 places with homogeneous acoustics, its unique equipments of scene, its integrated workshops of decorations, costumes and accessories, its rooms of work and repetitions, the Opera Bastille constitutes a large modern theatre.
The Pantheon
This impressive late 18th century neo-classical temple host the remains of french great men.
Place de la Concorde
Between the Champs Elysées and the Tuileries Gardens, there lies the Place de la Concorde. With traffic roaring and careening about seemingly in all directions, it is easy to feel lost on its 84,000 square meters.
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