Called the ‘City of Lights’ Paris outshines many cities in Europe as a charming classical beauty and contemporary character reputed for high living, fine cuisine and haute couture. It has a natural landscape of the River Seine meandering through its heart and gentle hills at its fringes. One version on its origins traced back to the settlement of the Parissi tribe on the island of Ile de la Cite’. |
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Infamous Notre Dame Cathedral on the island of Ile de la Cite’
in the River Seine. It took 200 years to build (started in 1163)
and is venue for many national ceremonies. |
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| Pont Nuef and Ile de la Cite’ in the River Seine. |
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The opulent Pont Alexandre III with its beautiful sculptures,
particularly 4 gilded statues on high columns -
two at each end of the bridge. |
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Magnificent Opera Garnier, the opera house built by
Charles Garnier
after winning a competition
to do so. It opened in 1875. |
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Boulevard Haussmann, the chic area for luxury shopping.
Christmas
lightings brightens up Galleries Lafeyette departmental store. |
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Assemble Nationale - Palais Buorborn or National
Assemby of France. |
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Place de la Concorde or Concorde Square and the 3,300 years
old obelisk
from the Egyptian Viceroy to Charles X in 1829.
It took 4 years to arrive. |
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Along the triumphal way - the Champs-Elysees, the most famous
avenue
in the world crowned by the Arc de Triomphe. |
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The Palais-Royal that is the Lourve Museum today - the biggest
museum in the world.
Among the treasures on exhibit is the
Mona Lisa by Italian renaissance painter Leonardo da Vincci. |
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The basilica of Sacre`-Couer on the summit of the
hill in Montmartre. It is the highest point in Paris.
Building started in 1873 but completed only in 1914. |
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View from the Eiffel Tower - the Seine River, Palais de
Challiot (curve building), Jardins du Trocadero (gardens)
and Place de Trocadero (square). |
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Icon of Paris - the Eiffel Tower was built as
a centrepiece to the World Fair in 1889.
At 321m high,
it was then the tallest
building structure in the world. |