These Paris Attractions Deserve Their Reputation
Paris is a world-class city and there are plenty of attractions for you to enjoy. Its wide boulevards, the River Seine, and its 19th century cityscape make it a popular destination for tourists. And if you’re into art, gastronomy, and shopping, you can’t go wrong with a trip to this vibrant, historic city. Since you can fly into Paris without any problems thanks to Cathay Pacific, make sure to also visit these sights.
Musee Grevin
If you’re looking for a way to immerse yourself in the history of Paris, you should consider the Grevin Museum. This waxwork museum is the perfect place to get up close and personal with famous figures, including Queen Marie-Antoinette and Mahatma Gandhi.
One of the most entertaining attractions in Paris, the Grevin Museum is a must-see for kids and adults alike. It’s home to hundreds of wax figures representing the world’s biggest celebrities. Located in the 9th arrondissement, the museum features themed rooms and interactive sections.
The Grevin Museum was first opened to the public on June 5, 1882, and it quickly gained a cult following. Since then, it has expanded to include the Hall of Mirrors. These mirrors are based on the Hall of Mirrors at the Versailles palace. They feature a kaleidoscope effect, a video and a special effects show.
In addition to the Hall of Mirrors, the Grevin Museum is also home to a number of historical displays. For example, the Massacre of St Bartholomew is reenacted. A tableau featuring Charlotte Corday murdering Jean-Paul Marat includes an actual knife.
The Musee Grevin is not as high-brow as some of its counterparts in London, but it is a great place to spend an afternoon. It’s located just a short walk from the Opera Garnier and the Galeries Lafayette department store.
Musee Picasso
The Musee Picasso in Paris is a world-renowned museum featuring an impressive collection of works by Pablo Picasso. This historic monument in the Marais district is located in a magnificent 17th century mansion.
As the name suggests, this museum has an incredible selection of paintings, sculptures, photographs and other objects from the life and career of the famous French artist. One can spend a day here and still not see everything.
There are two main areas to visit. First, there is the basement which contains the complete arsenal of Picasso’s art. It’s home to tens of thousands of archived objects. These include photographs, drawings, personal papers, and documents.
For those who want to get closer to Picasso’s art, the museum also has a rooftop cafe. You can view the surrounding city from this location.
The museum features the largest collection of works by Picasso in the world. Some of the pieces are displayed in chronological order, but most are displayed in thematic rooms.
Among the many museums, the Musee Picasso in Paris is considered to be one of the best. Visiting this museum will definitely challenge your preconceived notions about Picasso.
In addition to the museum’s collection, there are numerous temporary exhibitions to choose from. They vary in admission costs.
Musee de l’Orangerie
The Musee de l’Orangerie in Paris is a museum of Post-Impressionist and Impressionist paintings. It’s located in the Tuileries Gardens, near the Seine River. There are various exhibits held at the Orangerie every year. In addition, there are also works by other artists such as Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Gaugin, and Henri Matisse.
Although the Orangerie building originally served as a warehouse and a barracks for Napoleon’s army, it later became the property of the French state. During the First World War, the building served as a dog show, music hall, and military barrack.
The Orangerie was converted into a gallery in 1922 by the French government. Claude Monet was one of the living artists who displayed works there. His Water Lilies cycle was placed in the Orangerie.
Other collections in the museum include works by Pablo Picasso, Auguste Rodin, and Henri Matisse. In addition, there is a small sculpture collection as well.
One of the most impressive parts of the Orangerie Museum is its murals, which are by Claude Monet. These are eight massive paintings that depict the water lilies of the French garden of Giverny. They were created from 1914 when World War I began, and they are currently housed at the Musee de l’Orangerie.
Galerie Vivienne
A covered passage in Paris, France, the Galerie Vivienne is a place to shop and admire architecture. Located between the Palais-Royal and the Hotel Vanel de Serrant, it is one of the most beautiful shopping arcades in the city. It features a glass roof and mosaic floors.
The gallery was originally built as a place of trade in 1826. At that time, it housed a confectioner and various shops. However, the trade declined during the Second Empire. In the 1970s, the Vivienne was declared a historical monument.
Today, the Galerie Vivienne is filled with ready-to-wear boutiques, tea rooms and gourmet food stores. It is also home to rare books shops and secondhand bookstores.
You can take a walk around the Vivienne or join a guided tour, in French or English. The gallery is open from 8am to 8pm.
Inside, you’ll find many elegant details, such as a rotunda and sculptures. The mosaic floor is signed by Facchina Giandomenico, one of the leading ceramists of the 19th century.
There are also numerous specialty stores. You can buy antiques, souvenirs and decorative items here. Also, there are various restaurants that serve gastronomically sound cuisine.
While visiting the Vivienne, you can try your hand at an escape game in the Covered Passages. It is one of the best places to visit in Paris.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is a monument of great historical significance and national pride. This arch was built to honor the French military, which lost soldiers in various battles throughout history.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which lies below the Arc de Triomphe, is a monument honoring 1.3 million French soldiers who died in World War I. It has an eternal flame that is lit each evening at 6:30 pm.
The monument is based on the triumphal arch of Titus. On the inside of the triumphal arch, the names of battles and the generals who fought them are engraved. There is also a Frieze around the arch depicting hundreds of figures.
The Arc de Triomphe is free to visit. It is open 10am to 11pm from April to September. During the rest of the year, it is closed on major holidays.
There is an underground passageway to the top of the arch. At the top of the arch is a viewing platform that extends outward to cover all of Paris.
Inside the building, there are different sections, including a museum and the tomb of the unknown soldier. Visitors can find out more about the history of the Arc de Triomphe by reading the free guide booklets that are available on the Arc de Triomphe website.
Notre Dame Cathedral
If you’re planning to visit Paris, you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss out on visiting one of its most famous landmarks – the Notre Dame Cathedral. This iconic monument is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and draws upwards of 13 million visitors per year.
The cathedral features two towers that are open to the public. Visitors can climb up the stairs to the top of the north tower. There are also two other steps leading to the choir.
The sanctuary inside the cathedral is 130 meters long and features five aisles. It has stained glass windows, an impressive Choir Organ and numerous sculptures.
You can enjoy an unforgettable experience at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. The interior is also well-lit at night. Some of the artwork displayed here includes works from the Renaissance, Middle Ages and Nio-Gothic periods.
In the sanctuary, there are several statues to admire, including the Resurrection of Christ and Adam and Eve. The side walls have figures of Saint Genevieve and Saint Dionysius (Denis).
One of the most notable things about the cathedral is its spire. This was once surrounded by copper statues of the twelve Apostles. Later, in the 18th century, the spire was replaced with an oak spire, covered with lead.