Travel to Paris with Ella Paris

The Centre Pompidou in Paris

Bryan — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:36:31 +0000

The New Cultural Institution

Pompidou is named after the 1969 French President Georges Pompidou. He launched the idea of creating a new cultural institution in Paris dedicated to modern art. This new cultural center fascinated 650 admissions on its 1971 competition. Richard Rogers, Renzo Piano and Gianfranco Franchini submitted their architectural winning project. It was fascinating for it made practical elements such as escalators, air conditioning and water pipes to the outside of the building which resulted to a more spacious inner space for the exhibition of art works.

The construction of the glass and metal building located their neighbourhood ran into a lot of disagreement from people who disliked the idea of an ‘oil refinery’ in a historic district. But when the museum opened in December 1977, it became an instant success. Originally designed to accommodate some 5,000 visitors per day, the Centre Pompidou has been accepting over 25,000 visitors per day making it one of the most visited attractions in Paris.

The Centre Pompidou is home to one of the world’s most important museums of modern art. The Public Information Library or BPI holds a huge collection of books, magazines and a large number of new media items. The library occupies the first three floors of the building, while the museum’s permanent collection is located on the 4th and 5th floors. The first and top floors are used for large exhibitions. The museum has one of the most important collections of modern art. The 4th floor contains works from 1905 to 1965 and covers art movements such as fauvism, abstract art, surrealism and cubist art. Artists like Matisse, Kadinsky, Miró and Picasso are just some of the featured there. The 5th floor covers the period after 1965, including the pop-art movement and figurative art.

The well-known “Place Georges Pompidou” or “Place Beauborg” is located in front of the Centre Pompidou with large crowds that are energized by the presentation of mimes, street portraitists and other entertainers. Located in the right of the square of Centre Pompidou is the first modern fountain in Paris. The fountain has numerous dynamic statues which were designed by Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely. This is another way of seeing some contemporary art without having to go inside the museum.

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Paris Artists Abroad

Bryan — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:27:13 +0000

This event attracted 1.3 million spectators of Paris artists in 2005

The “Nuit Blanche” event created in October 2002 attracted 1.3 million spectators of Paris artists in 2005. The concept wedged in Brussels and Rome as of its second year. Madrid and Riga followed suit and decided in 2006 to offer the public one night chance to meet and share in originality and modern creativity.

The European Photography Month network was extended by various Paris artists in 2004 to welcome Bratislava, Luxemburg, Moscow and Rome in 2006. The network was organized behind the cities of Berlin and Vienna. This was intended to be a site for active interactions on skills and expertise. A joint exhibition of young photographers’ masterpieces, famous as “Mutations”, was organized by this network.

Since 1997, the City of Paris has been working with Cultures France, the agency of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs accountable for international cultural exchanges, on a fruitful partnership which has led to many projects. Some examples of recent achievements are:

- A performance in in Copenhagen, Warsaw, Vilnius and Riga in 2005
by The “Cirque ici” company
- Le Dernier Caravansérail by Ariane Mnouchkine was on the bill at the Lincoln Center in New York, as part of the “Act French” event in 2005
- The “Ola Kala” show by the Paris circus company “Les Arts Sauts” was performed in August 2006 at the Tohu, Cité des arts du cirque in Montreal (Canada)
- Major cooperation with the urban theatres of Beirut and the Théâtre du Rond-Point in Paris allowed the Lebanese public to discover plays by young French authors and enjoy readings and workshops as part of the “Rond-Point.

For the first time the Accentus choir was invited to the prestigious City of London Festival from the 22 June to 12 July. The event devotes most of 2007 programme to French music. The choir will perform a unique programme featuring original creations and transcriptions. Sometime in May, music artists from Beijing and Shanghai, the Ensemble Alternance group are invited to give a master class, a workshop and a concert in both cities, in addition to rising profile of contemporary music in China. Known composers such as Philippe Schoeller, Mark André and Gérard Pesson also aims at promoting its training performances abroad and discovering young talented artists likely to study in Paris.

The City of Light and the Paris artists have supported the International Dance Festival in Tunis, “Rencontres chorégraphiques de Carthage – Printemps de la danse“. Paris City Hall’s support has enabled the inhabitants of Tunis to discover many Parisian companies. From 2006, City Hall also contributed to training dancers: in 2006, young Parisian breakdancers lead workshops with Tunisian dancers and, in 2007, Parisian choreographers will lead workshops as part of the new dance school open to young people from different developing countries.

The objective is still to carry out cultural exchanges on an equal footing, respecting identities and developing mutual advantages. After the success of “Made in Paris“, event devoted to young Paris artists, specifically French photographers in London, a Franco-British video night and an exhibition bringing together young artists from both countries took place in Paris. Paris artists also take an active part in the European Photography Month with Berlin, Bratislava, Luxemburg, Moscow, Rome and Vienna.

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The Dark Conciergerie Royal Palace

Bryan — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:12:31 +0000

It played a dark role in the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror

Located on the west side of the Île de la Cité, the Conciergerie Royal palace (the Palais de la Cité) at first and later a prison, the Conciergerie played a dark role in the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. The remarkable site was chosen by Phillippe le Bel (Philip the Fair) in the early 14th century so that he could build a palace that would be a sign of his wealth and stature.

In his peak of success – the Middle Ages – the palace was considered one of the finest in the world.

The palaces of Louvre and Vincennes were selected by Charles V and the Capetian Kings to be “The conciergierie” by the end of the same century. It was chosen over the Palais de la Cité and later used for the kingdom’s organizational offices. A Concierge is responsible for the maintenance of the palace. He is assigned with legal and police power in the municipality.

The palace had been converted to a prison for both common and political criminals in 1391. Wealthy prisoners were given the best space and accommodations in the former palace while irrelevant thieves were made to sleep in dark, rodent-infested rooms.

There are a few residue of the Conciergerie remains from the Middle Ages. There is the Silver Tower, which apparently the house of the royal treasury. The Caesar Tower, named after the Roman emperors and the Bonbec Tower, which housed a torture chamber.

The Conciergerie became prominent during the French Revolution which took part on 1789-1799. It was the most violent era in French history where convicts were detained at the Conciergerie before taken to the guillotine to be executed. The Revolutionary Tribunal, a court system to test opponents of the French Revolution, was also located in Conciergerie.

The Conciergerie continued to be used for what the French considered the most significant prisoners, such as Napoleon III. Though it’s difficult to tell given its aged appearance, general rebuilding and restoration took place in the mid-19th century, including the renovation of Marie Antoinette’s cell to a chapel. The building was decommissioned for official use in 1914. And later, it was opened to the public as a national historic monument. Today, it remains a popular tourist attraction though access to most of the building is severely limited.

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Few Tips on Buying Tickets in Paris

Bryan — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:14:00 +0000

FNAC handle tickets for more museums, concerts and shows across France.

Getting ticket in Paris for trips and tours will be a waste of time when you do it yourself. Especially when you are not that acquainted of the styles and techniques of doing so. You will have an easy but expensive way to get tickets in Paris. When you’re staying in a class hotel, might as well give the task to your custodian to get your ticket so that you will not waste valuable exploration hours. With this manner of buying tickets in Paris, you will save a lot of valuable time.

Cheap tickets in Paris, with discount of up to 50%, can be found at the Kiosque Theatre, 15 place de la Madeleine, 8th (no phone; Metro Madeleine). They offer leftover tickets at about half-price on performance day. Tickets for evening shows are sold Tuesday to Friday from 12:30pm to 8pm and Saturday from 2pm to 8pm. Tickets for matinees are sold Saturday from 12:30 to 2pm and Sunday from 12:30 to 4pm.

There are certain privileges for Students with IDs for they can instantly get a last-ditch tickets by simply applying at the ticket station one hour before the show starts.

If you would like to buy tickets in Paris before you go, check with Keith Prowse on their website keithprowse.com. The company will mail tickets to you, or leave tickets at the box office for pick up prior to the performance. There’s a mark up of about 25 % over box-office prices on each ticket, which includes handling charges. Keith Prowse sells to customers all over the world, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

Another good place to try is any branch of the FNAC media store or fnac.com. They handle tickets for more museums, concerts and shows across France. The Champ Elysees branch is open until midnight for distributing tickets in Paris in a relaxed way.

You should plan ahead on how to buy you tickets in Paris, depending on budget availability and the urgency of getting it, so that you will have a more organized and well prepared trip ahead of you.

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Triumphed Disneyland in Paris

Bryan — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:46:26 +0000

Number one tourist attraction in France

Disneyland in Paris has succeeded over premature Euro-snobbery and is considered the top tourist charm in France. They accommodate about 50 million annual guests and are suitable for those tourists who accompanied with them their kids. After a long exhausting walk from the museums and churches, they could reward their kids to on the rides until they drop. There are some differences though, between the Florida and California amusement parks. Disneyland in Paris is divided into two main parts: The Disneyland Park with its five divisions and Walt Disney Studio Park divided into lots.

Upon entering the park, you will instantly discover yourself in an unrealistic American town, with all the similarities that you can think of. Exquisite Electric Parade will be interesting in the evening where you can see all the Disney characters march along with luminously well-lit floats.

The Frontierland found in the Disneyland in Paris is a located to the West, especially if you take one of the steam-powered trains that will take you from Grand Canyon diorama to Frontierland. Pocahontas’s Indian village is a fine spot to get young kids away from the crowds and if it gets too hot, you and the kids can ride the nearby paddle-wheel steamship.

The trains will take you on to Adventureland, where strutting pirates battle near the Swiss Family Robinson’s treehouse. If that’s too tame, head for the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril ride. It travels backward at breakneck speed, the only Disneyland roller coaster in the world to do so.

You will be astonished how young children will be charmed by Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and its idealized interpretation of a French chateau, complete with the obligatory fire-breathing dragon in its dungeon. In Fantasyland, a visit with Dumbo the Flying Elephant may be necessary, and perhaps a whirl on the giant teacup ride.

Discoveryland in Paris provides you some futuristic display that will put your imagination to work. The designs were based on the works of famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Jule Verne. This area is considered as the most popular section of Disneyland in Paris.

Village Disney is haven for adults’ features endless entertainment options. This includes dance clubs, snack bars, restaurants, shops and bars.

The emphasis in this second park of Disneyland in Paris is on film production and special effects. Walt Disney Studio Park is a place where you can feel the flame as you play an extra in the Armageddon disaster movie, plunge 13 floors down an elevator shaft in the brand-new Twilight Tower of Terror, or get your kids to talk live with the mischievious alien Stitch in his interactive stage show.

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Chartres Cathedral, a Theological Aspiration

Bryan — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:13:54 +0000

The North Porch of Chartres Cathedral

At the opposite end of the spiritual spectrum from decadent Versailles, Chartres cathedral represented the highest architectural and theological aspirations of the Middle Ages in France. The Chartres cathedral was much the same in medieval times as it is now, which should give you a sense of how impressive it must have been in 1260, when it was completed. Rodin described it as the French Acropolis, and once you’ve seen it you’ll be hard pressed to disagree with him.

The celebrated Choir Screen of the Chartres cathedral has 40 niches holding statues of Biblical figures. Don’t be so dazzled by all the stained glass that you overlook its intricate carvings. There are also Rose Windows that no cathedral in the world can match. It’s a 12th century glass that gave the world a new color, Chartres blue, and is absolutely exceptional. All of its windows are glorious, but the three rose windows may be the best.

The Royal Portal found in Chartres cathedral presents sculpted bodies that are elongated and garbed in long, flowing robes, but their faces are almost disturbingly lifelike. Christ is shown at the Second coming – his descent to Earth on the right, his ascent back to Heaven on the left. Both the North portal and the South Portal are carved with Biblical images. The South Portal doorway is carved with the images of saints. The martyrs are carved on the right door, confessors are on the left. Apostles get the center.

The New Bell Tower present in the Chartres cathedral is for those enthusiasts that are not afraid of heights and are physically fit who are not afraid to climb to the top of the tower. From the peak, you will see the view for miles.

Those who prefer underground crypts to the dizzying heights of the tower in Chartres cathedral will find that they can only visit them as part of a guided tour. An English language one is held twice a day most of the year by lecturer Malcom Miller at noon and 2:45pm Monday through Saturday with an admission fee of 10 Euros.

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Different Era of Paris Architecture

Bryan — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:06:07 +0000

The only 16th century hotel left in Paris

There are a lot of styles you will see in Paris architecture. However, it’s significant to point out that very few structures were built in one particular method. These enormous structures of Paris architecture may look centuries to complete, where plans were modified and a lot were changed, but these were still put into completion at present.

Romanesque architects got their encouragement based on olden Rome and focused building huge church aisle with extraordinary width. St. Germain-de-Pres is a good resemblance of few Romanesque styles that remains in Paris. The whole building was Romanesque, but as time pass by, the time builders change some plans and resulted to a early Gothic style with spiky arches.

Gothic engineering progress unconstrained church architecture from the weighty, dense wall structures of Romanesque style. This happened in the 12^th century where the dim, subdued, relatively plain Romanesque interior that forced the visions of the people straight to the altar. The new Gothic interior lured the worshippers’ stare upward to high ceilings filled with graceful light. On the other hand, the Romanesque exteriors were positioned by elegant buttresses and spires. Perhaps, the best illustration of Gothic church architecture in the world is Notre-Dame Cathedral.

In architecture, as in painting, the Renaissance came from Italy and took some time to coalesce. And, as in painting, its rules stressed proportion, order, classical inspiration, and precision, resulting in unified, balanced structures. One example is the 1544 Hotel Carnavalet, a Renaissance mansion, is the only 16^th century hotel left in Paris. It contains the Musee Carnavalet, a museum devoted to the history of Paris and the French Revolution.

From the mid 17^th century, France took the fundamental of Renaissance classicism even further, finding inspiration in the classic era. During the reign of Louis XIV, art and architecture were submissive to political ends. Buildings were grandiose and severely ordered on the Versailles model.

Paris architecture style in 19^th century was diverse, beginning in a severe classical mode and ending with something of an identity crisis. During the reign of Emperor Napoleon III, classicism was reinterpreted in an ornate, dramatic mode. Urban planning was the architectural rage, and Paris became a city of wide boulevards courtesy of Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann, commissioned by Napoleon III in 1852 to redesign the city. Paris owes much of its remarkably unified look to Haussmann.

The ravages of war stalled the progress of French architecture for a number of decades, but the latter half of the 20^th century was to see some the most daring Paris architecture projects in French history and certainly some of the most controversial. It has taken decades for structure such as the Centre Pompidou or the Louvre’s glass pyramids to become accepted by most Parisians, but now they are a well-loved part of the skyline.

The face of Paris architecture is ever changing. The new era has already seen the arrival of the Musee de Qui Branly, an impressive, angular structure designed by Jean Nouvel, whose bright colors and clever use of vegetation is a flagship for 21^st century Paris architecture within the city center.

Paris architecture was one of the best artworks that is highly respected all over the world. Despite the ups and downs, it still managed to develop through time.

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Activity on Paris Rivers

Bryan — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:41:41 +0000

Best for some romantic cruise.

Paris Rivers plays a vital role for the romance of the city. Just think of the numerous movies filmed with romantic scenes on the bridges over the Seine River. At the heart of the city, you will find the lovely Seine River, where it is famous of its River cruise and beautiful river banks. Dinner and cruises are just one of the popular options, since they depict to the tourists the beautiful architectures of Paris. Cruising rivers in Paris has been a tradition and is a much-loved activity in the city.

One of the Paris river name Bievre flows into the Seine. There are some settlers that took advantage and were developed around this water source. Because of that, pollution was abundant in that area until now. However, the Paris rivers remained as beautiful as it is.

Boats can be rented from numerous private operators. They can also arrange the necessary permits you’ll need for legal purposes. Most vessels allow between two and 12 people. The return journey is usually via the same route; one-way trips are possible which involve extra costs.

There are several excellent boat services which makes use of the slow-flowing Seine River. As well as providing easy, cheap transport to much of central Paris, excellent photo opportunities abound in the river banks. You can buy a day or 3 day ticket and hop on and off the boat as needed.

However, these kind of activities in Paris are not really for travellers and tourists but as a suitable service for Parisians in their everyday living. As a result, the view is not that great compared to a river cruise that is intended for sightseeing. The advantage is that even the boats are petite, the are less crowded than those boats for tourists. And remember, if you do have a Carte Orange (public transport pass), you will be saved from the payment of 3 euros which is expensive for a boat trip.

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Going to Paris at the Right time

Bryan — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:31:19 +0000

The best time to go to Paris is during Summer

All seasons in Paris offer romance, attraction, history and great impression that the city has been famous for. Whether you’re just wandering across Pont Neuf with a winter coat or observing the flowers begin to bloom in the early spring, these are the just few things to be done when going to Paris. Some travellers say that the best time going to Paris is summer, while others prefer the peace of other seasons because they say summer in Paris is too hot and crowded in July and August.

When to go to Paris is, of course, in ones preference, and the best way to find out is to go during different seasons. With that you will be able to choose your favourite time of the year to go the City of Light.

When you are preparing a Paris trip on a budget, the time of year to travel is essential. During summer, Paris tends to be crowded and hotels and other services may have gone high at these times. Renting apartments may be an alternative but during these times they have already been booked in advanced. Another popular time of the year in Paris is the Christmas and New Year season for the prices will definitely match the demand. At the same time, its winter and it is a magical time to spend there as the decorations are attractive and emphasizes the stunning historical architecture of the city.

Budget travellers may also consider the time when going to Paris. If you think you are not courageous enough from the cold in the city, there is March and April for you. By April, spring has begun to bud and becomes warmer.

After the hum of July and August, the shoulder season returns in September and October. For many tourists who have argued over the perfect time going to Paris, this period in autumn is absolutely the winner. High prices hotel rates will go back to normal and as some say, the sociability and services of the locals will return as well.

When you going to Paris, there are several activities you shouldn’t miss. Paris has a lot to offer. Hop aboard with the famous Seine River Cruise. Museums are the central part of the Parisian experience. Added to your list is walking or biking into the streets sight-seeing their spectacular architecture. You will surely be tempted of going back to experience Paris on a different perspective.

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No Smoking in Paris

Bryan — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:15:04 +0000

A Caricature of Napoleon smoking

Smoking in Paris is commonly accepted by the public but limited to definite areas within the city. In Hotels, there are specific portions where you are allowed to smoke but they must obey to the mandatory ventilation standards. Usually, public zones such as breakfast room, reception and corridors are smoke-free zones. As a universal rule, all youth boarding houses and apartments are strictly non-smoking areas.

Restaurants are obliged to provide smoking and no-smoking areas. As you dine in, you will be asked where you prefer to be seated. Clubs and cafes are the places where this law may not be that strict, people just observe mutual respect in this kind of places.

Like any other places, shops, cinemas, theatres, public services and hospital vicinities are strictly no-smoking ruled by the law in Paris. Smoking is against the law in schools and universities and the rest of the educational institutions including the open spaces.

In the public transport, smoking in Paris is prohibited in accordance to the French law. In an office setting, some companies provide special smoking areas for their employees, but more and more offices have absolutely prohibited smoking in their corporation. Just like in the business district of La Defense, many high-rise blocks are entirely cigarette-free.

When the French government announced they would ban smoking last 2007 from all public places in France, including cafes and restaurants, many people considered it as another futile attempt to change a fundamentally cigarette-happy culture. Well, later on they recognize that they were erroneous. Since the ban took effect January 2nd, very few breaches have been noted in Paris, and the city’s once hazy cafes and restaurants are surprisingly breathable. Some are even lamenting the death of an iconic Parisian cafe scene, exemplified by existentialist French philosopher and playwright Jean Paul Sartre who rarely spotted without a cigarette.

The success of the No smoking in Paris Law is an example of how cultural stereotypes on the French are not as solid as some would have them be.