Paris Sights

The Centre Pompidou in Paris

home to one of the world's most important museums of modern art — 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.
Continue reading “The Centre Pompidou in Paris”

The Dark Conciergerie Royal Palace

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.
Continue reading “The Dark Conciergerie Royal Palace”

Chartres Cathedral, a Theological Aspiration

The designs are Carvings of Biblical images — 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.
Continue reading “Chartres Cathedral, a Theological Aspiration”

Different Era of Paris Architecture

A Renaissance Mansion — 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.
Continue reading “Different Era of Paris Architecture”

Smooth-Sailing on the Seine River

Eiffel Tower View from the Seine River — Seine River provides view for some of the most visited attractions in Paris

Seine River, famous as romantic background photographs of Paris, is a smooth-sailing river and commercial waterway with Ile-de-France and Haute-Normandie in France. The river attracts so many tourists in Paris; there are excursion boats that offer sight-seeing tours within the city of Paris. Its whole length of boating can end in the Bay of the Seine region of the English Channel and as far as Burgundy near the Swiss Alps. A long way to go, but is negotiable by commercial riverboats because of the fact that there are just limited portions allowed for sight-seeing.
Continue reading “Smooth-Sailing on the Seine River”

An underground adventure..Paris Catacombs

les Carrieres de Paris — Known as the quarries of Paris

The Paris Catacombs is one of the famous burial places in Paris, France. Although widely known as the catacombs its official name is “les Carrieres de Paris” translated as quarries of Paris. It is an arrangement of cavernous tunnels and rooms located in what were Roman-era limestone quarries. It was in the late 18^th century, the quarries were converted into a mass tomb.
Continue reading “An underground adventure..Paris Catacombs”

Louvre Museum, modern and classical masterpiece of Paris

A must-visit museum because of the famous works of art are the Mona Lisa and the Venus of Milo. — Former Palace, now Museum

One of the largest museums in the world today is the Louvre. It was once a palace but now celebrated as a must-visit museum for the well-known works of art such as Mona Lisa and the Venus of Milo.

Continue reading “Louvre Museum, modern and classical masterpiece of Paris”

Carnavalet Musee..travel through time

It is situated in the Marais district. — Remembrance to the history of the city of Paris

The Carnavalet Musee is built in remembrance to the history of the city of Paris. The space occupies two adjoining mansions Hotel Carnavalet and the former Hotel Le Peletier de Saint Fargeau. President of the Parliament in the year 1548, Jacques des Ligneris, ordered the construction of the mansion tht is known today as Hotel Carnavalet and was completed after twelve years. The widow of Francois de Kernevenoy, bought the building and was later named Carnavalet. In 1654, Claude Boisleve purchased the mansion. He commissioned a well-known architect, Francois Mansart to make general renovations.
Continue reading “Carnavalet Musee..travel through time”

Orsay Museum.. a Railway turned Museum

Built in 1900, Osray museum is located in a grand railway station which is considered as the den of the numerous sculptures and impressionist work of art. The museum has developed into one of the most admired establishment in Paris.

Home of the many sculptures and impressionist work of art — A museum housed in a grand railway station.

Early 19^th century the Gare de Lyon and the Gare d’Orsay, two of the largest railway in Paris was built. Along the Seine opposite the Louvre is the Gare d’Orsay. It was planned to bring electrified trains right to the city of Paris by the Compagnie d’Orleans.
Continue reading “Orsay Museum.. a Railway turned Museum”

The Famous Sainte Chapelle in Paris

The Holy Chapel, famously known as the Sainte Chapelle, is located within the Palais de Justice complex on the Ile de la Cité in the heart of Paris. It is a perfect representation of a Rayonnant Style of Gothic architecture. It was established by Louis IX of France to dwell the Crown of Thorns and a piece of the True Cross, valuable remains of the Passion. King Louis IX purchased the Sainte Chapelle in 1239 from the Byzantine emperor Baldwin II, for a very expensive price of 135,000 livres. The original cost of building the chapel is only 40,000 livres. Two years later, more remains were brought from Byzantium.
Continue reading “The Famous Sainte Chapelle in Paris”