What can you visit in Paris today? Where to go in Paris: interesting places and attractions. See a different Paris

Many words have already been said and written, it was painted by hundreds of artists and thousands of poets sang, a city unlike any other city in the world, the capital of lovers and the city of arts, high fashion is born here and important political affairs are accomplished.

Paris is different, deceptive and unpredictable. Paris is different for everyone.
But there are places in Paris that you should definitely visit when first exploring the city.

Until the end of the 17th century, wealthy Parisians were buried in church cemeteries. And at the beginning of the 18th century, on the slopes of a hill in the Belleville quarter, a city cemetery was opened on the site where the house of Father Lachaise, confessor of Louis XIV “the Sun King,” once stood. This is where the name of the cemetery came from - Père Lachaise. At first, Parisians did not want to bury their deceased relatives away from the city and in a simple quarter, but in order to raise the “prestige” of the Père Lachaise cemetery, the remains of famous people were moved here, for example, Heloise and Abelard, Molière and La Fontaine.
Now Père Lachaise is the largest of twenty cemeteries in Paris (40 hectares), where many famous people, scientific and cultural figures, military and political figures are buried, including Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Georges Bizet, Marcel Proust, Balzac, Camille Pizarro , Moliere, Eugene Delacroix, Sarah Bernhardt, Isadora Duncan, Simone Signoret, Frederic Chopin, Yves Montand, Jim Morrison and others.

"See Paris and die!" - such a dream has been pursuing most of our compatriots for more than a century. Of course, you don’t have to die at all, but you definitely need to see Paris.

To make it easier for you to navigate this tourist Mecca, Tata.ru offers a short guide to the French capital. It is better to plan your time in Paris in advance - otherwise your eyes may simply run wild. Therefore, we invite you to immediately decide what kind of vacation you prefer. Let's cultivate:

1. If Paris is not only the capital of world fashion for you, we remind you that it is here that the most visited museum in the world is located - the Louvre, and it contains the most mysterious painting in the world - the Mona Lisa. By the way, on the way to the Louvre, don’t forget to drink espresso at Le Dauphine. After visiting the famous museum, head to the Abbey of Saint-Germain L'Auxerrois. This monument of Gothic architecture still breathes the Middle Ages and antiquity.
2. Having climbed the Eiffel Tower, you should definitely look around the surroundings, and then go down and walk the path that is visible from its top - from the Arc de Triomphe to the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris.
3. After the musical “Notre Dame Cathedral” that thundered in Moscow, even those who have never read Hugo know about this majestic architectural monument. Admire the exquisite building where the hunchback Quasimodo languished.

8. By the way, in some Parisian galleries you can not only look, but also buy the paintings you like. So, for example, from the walls of the famous Artikulya for a tidy sum they will remove and wrap almost any painting for you.
9. On the way from museum to museum, don’t forget to look at the Chartreuse Cathedral, which is considered one of the most architecturally complex in Europe. To be in Paris and not visit Versailles is the same as to be in St. Petersburg and not go to Peterhof. In Versailles, do not forget to look at the small palace of Vaux-le-Vicomte.
10. If you have time and are not too tired, go from Paris to Givarny. The Academy of Fine Arts is located here. Taking pictures:

11. Going to Paris and returning without taking photos of your loved one against the backdrop of local attractions is like wasting your time. Be sure to take a photo of the panorama of Paris from the Eiffel Tower.
12. For lovers and simply romantic people, we highly recommend a river excursion along the Seine (daytime), these photographs will always remind you of the minutes spent in Paris. By the way, you can take a romantic collection of pictures in the “Hotel of the Senses,” built in the Middle Ages.
13. And, of course, you can’t be left in the photo without two Parisian arches - the Great Arch of Friendship of Peoples and the Arc de Triomphe. By the way, walking under the Arc de Triomphe is a good omen. But there’s still no point in running back and forth - there’s still so much interesting stuff ahead. For example, the Champs Elysees.

14. Where, if not in Paris, are there so many picturesque prisons, casemates and other places of detention for careless Frenchmen? Taking a photo with the Bastille in the background is, of course, interesting, but you can also go to La Conciergerie (Monster Asylum) - a prison within the royal palace complex where almost 2,800 prisoners were executed during the French Revolution, among them Empress Marie- Antoinette. A few photos of these gloomy dungeons will impress your friends and family.
15. You will also look majestic against the backdrop of the National Assembly in the Bourbon Palace, where the French parliament meets.
16. By the way, if you find yourself in Paris in winter, be sure to go to the skating rink in front of the Eiffel Tower - there is nothing more pleasant than rushing along the ice with couples of natives in love.
17. Even if you went to the French capital without children, you will still enjoy Disneyland Paris.

18. And if the impressions weren’t enough, go to the Parisian Catacombs.
19. You should definitely take pictures against the backdrop of the Trocadero fountains that decorate the Chaillot Palace.
20. And don’t forget to take a walk with your camera along Place Concorde, which is considered one of the most beautiful places in Paris.
We buy:
21. It would be extremely disappointing to return from Paris without shopping. Therefore, we advise you to thoroughly research the best places for shopping. Let's start with Avenue Montaigne - boutiques of the world's largest brands are concentrated here: Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior and Givenchy.
22. If global brands seem unattractive to you, go to the largest shopping center in Europe - La Defense.
23. The favorite shopping place of Russian tourists in Paris is Galeries Lafayette. Here you will find a lot of interesting things, if, of course, there is still money left on your credit card.

24. Do you want to feel like a real Parisian? Take a walk to one of the most picturesque markets in the French capital - Marché rue Claire. Don't be scared! The Parisian market has nothing in common with smelly shopping arcades.
25. If you came not just to take a walk and see the beauty of Paris, but also to ask the price of French products, you are welcome at the Marche d'Inter National de Rungi. This is the largest wholesale food market in the world.
26. If you are going to return home without a bottle of French wine, we warn you right away - your friends and relatives are unlikely to approve of this. As you know, the most festive wine is champagne. So head to the Champagne region, tour the Moet & Chandon winery and take home a bottle of real champagne.

27. If you have nothing to eat in the evening, stop by Boulangerie - a fresh baguette from this shop is tastier than any restaurant delicacy.
28. By the way, Parisian boutiques do not always sell clothes, lingerie or perfumes. For example, you can try the best chocolates in Paris in the Couder chocolate boutique, and a wide variety of chocolate products will be offered to you in the Chocolate Salon. Do you like French mustard? No? It means you just haven’t tried real French. It is only available in the May Pari Boutique store.
29. Never pass by small pastry shops in Paris - this is a true pleasure for gourmets.
30. And if you couldn’t resist and have already bought various goodies, you can have a picnic in the gardens near the Eiffel Tower (the menu must include brie cheese, baguette and champagne).
We play at everything:
31. If the idea of ​​a picnic is not to your liking, there are a huge number of places where you can eat deliciously in Paris.

32. For example, you can climb to the 56th platform of the “hellish skyscraper” “Tour Montparnasse” - here you can have a meal while overlooking the panorama of Paris.
33. In Paris, tourists rarely just eat - they rather have a snack against a decent background. It is best to visit the oldest bar, as the guidebooks say, “Bofinge” and be sure to try something from the local menu.
34. Want to experience the real student atmosphere of Paris? Head to the Latin Quarter and grab a bite to eat at one of the local bistros, it's full of students from the universities in the area.
35. You can relax between the bus tour and walking around the city at Le Do Magot, where Ernest Hemingway, Albert Camus, Pablo Picasso visited.
36. If you didn’t like Le Do Magot, listen to the music at the Hard Rock Cafe.

37. There is a danger that you will return home with more than one extra kilogram. Therefore, it is better to alternate meals with active walks in entertainment venues. For example, you can dance at the best disco in Paris, The Rex Club.
38. A real show is also a great way to lose weight. Therefore, do not miss the next performance at the Moulin Rouge.
39. Don't like music? Go to a magic show at Metamorphoses.
40. If you still have time and energy, you can go skiing in the French Alps this weekend. Well, or just hang out all night in Saint-Tropez. Of course, these are not all the places in Paris that are worthy of your attention. But for one trip, or even several, it will definitely be enough for you. Be sure to show your children the main circus of Boulogne, Vertige. And don’t be sad if it’s time for you to leave, but it seems that you haven’t seen everything yet. Take a taxi to Charles de Gaulle Airport - the Parisian views from the car window are enchanting. And if all the money is left in chocolate boutiques, go to the airport by metro - this is the only airport in the world that has its own metro.

Of course, 5-7 days is only time for a quick acquaintance with the city. However, if you happen to find time to visit Paris, even for such a short period of time, try to prepare in advance so as not to waste precious hours in this beautiful city in order to get the necessary information.

There are probably no such number of stereotypes about any other city in the world: Paris is considered a city of legends, a city of romance and love, the capital of world fashion and culture, etc.

I would like to make a reservation right away that if this trip had taken place in the summer, and not in December, the program would have been somewhat different, for example, in the summer we would definitely have set aside a day and definitely would have gone (to admire the magnificent garden that the famous artist Claude Monet built around his house and which he immortalized in his creations), or maybe . And so, I had to focus on visiting Parisian museums, and instead of the aroma of roses in the Luxembourg Gardens, I had to be content with the aromas of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine, sold everywhere in the city. But, looking ahead, I can say that the trip did not disappoint us in any way, and the beauty of the city, which, moreover, appeared before us in Christmas decoration, beckons us to return there again and continue to get to know it.

And one more thing: we compiled our routes, which will be discussed below, not according to the principle of “see all the sights of Paris and die right there,” but in such a way that, if you want, you have the opportunity to deviate from the chosen route, without “driving” yourself into a strict schedule so that you have the mood and strength to just slowly walk around the city, sit at a cafe table, drink coffee or freshly squeezed juice, in general, if possible, feel the taste, aromas and mood of this city.

Like most of our compatriots, the “gateway to Paris” for us was the largest in France and one of the largest airports in the world - Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport). Here I wrote in detail how we got to the center of Paris from the airport, as well as how to get to Paris if you arrive at another airport - Orly:

Text navigator

Evening after arrival

On the first evening, immediately after checking into the hotel, we walked to Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris), fortunately the walk there from our hotel took only 15 minutes. Impressive. Preparations for Christmas were in full swing in Paris, so the Cathedral appeared before us in all its splendor. In the following days, we tried, if possible, to lay out our routes so that we could look here several more times and admire this majestic structure and piece of architecture!

The first day

Actually, we didn’t want to plan anything specific for the first day: on the first day it’s much more pleasant to just wander the streets of a new city and feel its atmosphere. But this time I had to change my habit, as it was raining in Paris. A walk around the city had to be replaced with a trip to the Louvre.

Louvre

One of the greatest and most famous treasuries in the world, located in the stunning interiors of a real royal palace. A definite must-see. Perhaps the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa, is kept here, as well as magnificent statues, including the Venus de Milo, Nike of Samothrace, etc. And the collection of paintings by Italian and French masters of the Renaissance, not to mention the interiors of the Louvre itself, is simply amazing!

Also, if you are going to visit museums a lot, it makes sense to purchase Paris Museum Pass, then entry to the Louvre will be free for you and without a queue. Price Paris Museum Pass:

for 2 days: €42
for 4 days: €56
for 6 days: €69

What does it include Paris Museum Pass, – free and queue-free entry to many museums in Paris and the surrounding area. Full list . If there is a search at the entrance to the museum for security purposes, then you still have to stand in line like everyone else.

Let's return to information about the Louvre. They say that sometimes there are simply gigantic queues at the main entrance. To avoid them, it makes sense to either purchase a Paris Museum Pass in advance, or try to enter the Louvre through other less popular entrances. Here list of entrances to the Louvre:

• Inputs Pyramid(Pyramid of the Louvre) andGalerie du Carrousel: open daily (except Tuesdays): Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays - from 9:00 to 19:30; on Wednesdays and Fridays – from 9:00 to 22:00.
• Entrance Passage Richelieu: open daily (except Tuesdays) from 9:00 to 17:30 (and until 18:30 on Wednesdays and Fridays)
• Entrance Porte des Lions: sometimes closed for technical reasons.

You can easily spend a whole day in the Louvre, but you still won’t have time to see the entire exhibition in one day. Therefore, read the website in advance and decide what exactly you would like to see first. For connoisseurs, tickets are available for 2 days or more, but it seems they can only be purchased at the box office of the Louvre itself.

The Louvre has an excellent audio guide, however, recently Russian has been missing from the languages ​​that can be selected on the audio guide. Rumor has it that the lobby of Russian-speaking guides in Paris tried to do this.

In the evening, when the rain stopped and we were pretty tired from walking through the endless halls of the museum, we went out for a walk around the city. And here Paris appeared before us in all its pre-Christmas splendor.

The route of our walk that evening was as follows: Louvre – Tuileries Garden – Place Vendôme – Place de la Concorde – Champs Elysees. All this is located quite compactly, and if you are in good physical shape, you can endure such a walk even after a day at the Louvre.

Second day. Rodin Museum, Les Invalides, Champ de Mars, Eiffel Tower

I chose the hotel in Paris in such a way that most attractions could be easily reached on foot. It turned out very cool: from a cozy hotel located in the Saint-Germain area, we only had to cross the bridge over the Seine to the Louvre, and to implement the route planned for the second day, we also did not have to use public transport.

After a walk along the beautiful Boulevard Saint-Germain and through charming Parisian alleys, we came to the Rodin Museum.

Rodin Museum

Address: Musée Rodin, 79 rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France
Metro: Varenne (line 13) or Invalides (line 13, line 8)
R.E.R.: Invalides (line C)
Buses: 69, 82, 87, 92

Working hours: open every day except Monday (closed), from 9:00 to 17:45, on Wednesdays - until 20:45.

Price: €8.30

The museum includes an elegant palace, called The Hotel Biron, a park building called "The Chapel", in memory of the neo-Gothic chapel built on the site in the late 19th century and stood here until the 1960s, when it was planned to reconstruct the museum , giving it a modern look. The palace is surrounded by a small but very cozy garden, where perhaps the main exhibit of the museum is located, a magnificent statue - Rodin’s “The Thinker”:

Home for the Invalids

A magnificent building built in the 1670s by order of King Louis XIV as a hospital and home for disabled people and war veterans. The king was touched by the pitiful appearance of his soldiers, doomed to survive on alms and to do this, flaunting their injuries on the New Bridge. Social services and institutions dealing with the issues of the disabled are located here to this day, however, for us as tourists, the museums located in the building complex are primarily of interest - located in the very heart of the Invalides House, the Army Museum (collections of artillery pieces in the front yard, weapons and armor of the XIII-XVII centuries, the section of the New Age (from Louis XIV to Napoleon III, 1643-1870), the section of the two world wars and the history of the army from 1871 to 1945, Historic of Charles de Gaulle), Museum of relief plans (about 100 models of fortresses and fortified cities of France on a scale of 1/600) and, perhaps, the most “iconic” landmark - the Cathedral of the Invalides, under the main dome of which, in a monumental sarcophagus made of red Finnish porphyry, rests the ashes of Napoleon Bonaparte, brought to Paris by Prince Joinville in 1840 from Saint Helena.

Information on the official website - in Russian - almost full version: http://www.musee-armee.fr/ru/home.html

Address: 129, Rue de Grenelle, 75 007, Paris, France

Nearest metro stations: La Tour Maubourg, Invalides, Varennes

Opening hours: from April to October - from 10:00 to 18:00, from November to March - from 10:00 to 17:00. Admission to visitors ends, traditionally, 30 minutes before the museum closes.

Cost: full price – €9.50, reduced price – €7.50. There are categories of visitors for whom admission is free, please check.

After visiting the Invalides' Home, we moved past the military school building towards Field of Mars(at the foot of the Eiffel Tower).

The Champ de Mars itself does not make an impression in winter, I hope it looks better in summer... View from above:

Eiffel Tower

We couldn't come to Paris for the first time and not climb the Eiffel Tower. Still, it is she who is now the main symbol of Paris, and of France in general. The queue, despite the frightening length, moved quite quickly, and after 20-30 minutes we received the coveted tickets. Unfortunately, on this day access to the very top (3rd level, or Summit) was closed, either for technical or weather reasons. In the end, we had to settle for a visit to the 2nd level, tickets there are almost half the price.

How to get there: There are many ways, which you can read about in detail. However, the most spectacular way to get to the Eiffel Tower is to take the metro to Bir-Hakeim station (line 6), as this line is above ground, and when approaching the station, you will be able to enjoy one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower tower. Another metro station nearby is “Trocadero” (line 9).

Working hours varies depending on the season and the method of ascent (by elevator/by stairs), check on the website.

To avoid queues at the box office, you can buy tickets online no later than 24 hours in advance, here.

Price:

Level 2 (Adults / Youth (12-24 years old) / Children 4-11 years old): €9 / €7 / €4.5

Level 3, or Summit (Adults / Youth (12-24 years old) / Children 4-11 years old): €15.5 / €13.5 / €11

This price is for tickets with an elevator. There is also a cheaper option - to climb the tower on foot, but such tickets (cost €5 / €4 / €3.5, respectively) can only be purchased at the box office; they are not available for online purchase.

The only slight difficulty is that for such advance purchase of tickets you need to clearly decide on the time of your visit and arrive early, because if there is a queue of people with the same tickets at the entrance, and in the end you will arrive at the control for 30 minutes ( or more) later than the time indicated on the ticket, you may not be allowed in (as written on their official website).

If you want to extend your acquaintance with the Eiffel Tower, you can stay in one of the bars or restaurants located right on it. – information about them. Indeed, why not have a glass of champagne at the bar at the very top of the tower?

Batobus waterbuses in Paris

Having completed our program for this day, we decided to take a ride along the Seine on the Batobus river bus. For us, living in the center, this type of transport has become a good alternative to the metro and buses. The eight Batobus berths are located very conveniently, close to all central attractions. As a result, we took tickets for Batobus for 5 days and enjoyed using these trams every day, since the stop called Saint-Germain-des-Pres is located a 5-minute walk from our hotel. (Now I’m looking at the official website (http://www.batobus.com/en.html) - the only options left are for 1 (€16) or 2 days (€19), or an annual subscription (€60)).

Day 3. Latin Quarter: Sorbonne, Hotel Cluny, Pantheon of Glory, Luxembourg Gardens and much more. The true spirit of Paris

This quarter most accurately preserved the spirit of Paris, which we all read about, for example, in the novels of A. Dumas, V. Hugo or Hemingway. It is here that you can try to find the real Paris, which is often greatly missed by tourists who have “been to Paris, but never seen it”... The Latin Quarter is named due to the fact that students and teachers of the large number of educational institutions located here previously communicated in Latin. In Paris, the name “Latin Quarter” is unofficially given to the area that partially covers the 5th and 6th arrondissements of Paris.

Sorbonne

Here is the famous Sorbonne(or the University of Paris), consisting of 13 educational institutions, the buildings of which today occupy almost the entire quarter. The Sorbonne may today be inferior to educational institutions in the UK and the USA in the world university rankings, but it is still very popular in Europe.

However, we arrived in this quarter exactly on Christmas Eve, so we were not able to appreciate how student life was bustling at the university and the adjacent cafés. But no one stopped us from walking along picturesque alleys and looking into equally picturesque courtyards.

Abbey of Cluny

In the heart of the Latin Quarter is the Abbey of Cluny. The Gallo-Roman baths built in the 2nd-3rd centuries are adjacent to the medieval hotel of Cluny, a rare monument of secular architecture of the Middle Ages. The entire complex of buildings is part of the National Museum, created in 1843. In the premises of the Cluny Hotel (built in 1485-1510) works of medieval art are stored, but the baths can be interesting in themselves (in the sense, like ancient baths) with mosaics that are well preserved for their age on the walls and as evidence the capital that was already emerging here at that time.

Pantheon

The Pantheon building is actually the Church of St. Genevieve, built on the initiative of Louis XV in 1790. A year later, the French Revolution turned it into the tomb of “great people” - the Pantheon. In 1806, Napoleon returned the church building, but in 1830 Louis-Philippe turned the building into the Pantheon, which in 1848 was named the Temple of Human Fraternity, and in 1853 - the National Cathedral of St. Genevieve. In 1885, the building finally became the Pantheon again, in connection with the burial of Victor Hugo (this was during the Third Republic).

The cathedral is very beautiful outside and inside. On the pediment of the portico on the outside is inscribed in gold letters: “To great people, a grateful Fatherland.” The dome inside the building is decorated with a fresco by Antoine-Jean Gros glorifying Saint Genevieve.

In 1851, Foucault conducted experiments here with his pendulum. The pendulum can still be seen here today.

In the tomb (as it should be according to Christian tradition, below ground level) rests the ashes of about sixty famous personalities, including: Emile Zola, Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Pierre and Marie Curie, etc.

To the left of the cathedral, slightly behind, stands the Basilica of St-Etienne du Mont:

Luxembourg Gardens

From the Pantheon along Rue Soufflot we walked to one of the most luxurious Parisian parks - the Luxembourg Gardens. The building of the Petit Luxembourg Palace located here today, after its acquisition in 1570, was given its name by Prince Tengri, Francois de Luxembourg. And in 1612, the palace, along with the surrounding lands, was bought by Maria de Medici, who ordered the construction of a palace worthy of her, but at the same time preserving the old mansion. Also, at the direction of Mary, a French-style garden was laid out here, which today is decorated with fountains and fifty statues. Over the next almost two centuries, the palace changed hands many times, until in 1800 Bonaparte transferred the building to the Senate. The Senate is located in the palace to this day.

Confectionery Dalloyau

Since it was the eve of Catholic Christmas, we, of course, could not miss this event and decided to celebrate it (even though we are not Catholics). To do this, we went to the first pastry shop we liked, located directly opposite the gates of the Luxembourg Gardens, at place Edmond Rostand - 75006 Paris, (Luxembourg metro station) and bought a traditional French Christmas treat - boucher, taking with it several other types of cakes, “to try”. And also a bottle of pink brut Taittinger champagne. Having bought all this at the market on the way to the hotel, fruits, nuts, cheese with delicious (still hot) bread, we received our “Christmas” menu.

The expensive wrapping and boxes, as well as the quite “boutique” bags in which our purchases at the confectionery store were packed, intrigued me, and I decided to look on the Internet. It turned out that this is one of the most famous confectionery shops in Paris, which, together with its competitor Ladurée, has largely determined the fashion in confectionery art in Paris since the Middle Ages. It turned out that the history of Dalloyau confectioneries dates back to the time of Louis XIV. In 1682, the Sun King hired Charles Daloyo as court baker and pastry chef. The family dynasty of royal confectioners has not been interrupted since then; just after the French Revolution, the Daloyo family moved to Paris, where they opened their first tea salon on the rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The Daloyos came up with the recipes for several world-famous French cakes, in particular the delicious Opera cake. They were also the ones who came up with the idea of ​​selling baked goods and ready-made takeaway meals. Like Ladurée, Daloyo has many boutiques in Paris, as well as in Japan, the Republic of Korea and Dubai.

I have absolutely no sweet tooth, at home I don’t look at pastry shops (or the “Desserts” section in the restaurant menu), but it’s true that it’s impossible to resist Dalloyau’s masterpieces! As a result, all the cakes were eaten faster than it occurred to us to capture them in a photo.

Day 4. Ile de la Cité. Marais quarter. Place de la Bastille

Isle of Site or Cite(French - Ole de la Cité) - one of two surviving islands of the Seine River in the center of Paris, which is, at the same time, the oldest part of Paris. Back in ancient times (at least from the 1st century BC), the island of Cite in Paris (then, by the way, called Lutetia in the Roman manner) was inhabited by one of the Celtic tribes - the Parisians. And in the 6th century, after Clovis I moved the capital of the Frankish kingdom to Paris, it was here, on the island of Cité, that the first Christian basilica in Paris was built - the Church of St. Stephen, on the site of which Notre Dame Cathedral was erected several centuries later.

The Ile de la Cité is connected to both banks of the Seine and the neighboring Ile Saint-Louis by nine bridges, the oldest of which today, in a strange twist of fate, is called the Pont Neuf and crosses the island.

By the beginning of the 11th century, a royal palace was built for Robert II on the Ile de la Cité, which remained the residence of French kings until the 14th century. In 1244-1248, the palace complex was supplemented with a real pearl of medieval architecture - the Sainte-Chapelle chapel, conceived as a repository of relics taken by Louis IX from Constantinople in 1239. Since the Louvre Palace, built for Philip II Augustus, could no longer accommodate the increasingly growing royal court and was too small to receive guests, by order of Philip IV the Fair, the royal palace on the island was rebuilt in 1302-1313. However, the new palace did not serve as the residence of the king for long - during the largest peasant anti-feudal uprising in the history of France in 1358, it became clear that the palace could not provide reliable protection for the ruler, so the royal family was forced to move first to the Hotel Saint-Paul near the Bastille, and then to the rebuilt Louvre. Charles V gave the palace complex partially into the possession of Parliament, which then performed the functions of a judicial body. The Palace of Justice exists on the island to this day, in a new building. The remaining premises were given to the manager of the palace, the concierge, from whom the name came Conciergerie:

Before the revolution, in addition to Notre Dame Cathedral, there were up to 20 churches and 15,000 inhabitants on Cite. In the 19th century, the architecture of the Ile de la Cité changed greatly: regardless of the historical and architectural value of the buildings, the town planner Baron Haussmann demolished all the buildings between the royal palace and the cathedral. In their place, the buildings of the police prefecture and the commercial tribunal were built. Three straight streets were laid between the new buildings, turning into bridges.

However, even today there is something to see in Cite. Moreover, perhaps no other place in Paris can boast so many attractions per unit area.

We were happy to devote a whole day in Paris to walking around Cite and getting to know its main attractions and museums, which deserve the closest attention and time spent getting to know them:

Notre Dame Cathedral

The second most important landmark of Paris, according to some classifications, is the cathedral, the construction of which began back in 1163 - Notre Dame, which also bears the unofficial title of “the most recognizable Gothic cathedral in the world.” Climbing up the cathedral tower, where 387 steps lead up, you will get a unique opportunity to look at one of the most famous panoramas of Paris in the company of chimeras and gargoyles.

Inside the cathedral - here she is, Our Lady of Paris, in person:

Ancient gothic chapel Sainte Chapelle:

Inside Sainte Chapelle:

Clock on the wall of the Conciergerie:

Palace of Justice:

Marais Quarter

The romantic name “Marais” translated from French simply means “swamp”. However, it was here, on the right bank of the Seine, in the area of ​​the Place des Vosges, that many noble nobles settled already from the 15th century. By the way, there was a swamp here, but already in the 13th century it was drained by representatives of the Templar Order.

By the way, on the Place des Vosges itself, which is considered the oldest and, according to some, the most beautiful square in Paris, until the 14th century stood the Tournelle Palace - the residence of the French kings before moving to the Louvre.

The quarter is located between Place de la République and Place de la Bastille. The boundaries of the quarter are: in the north - Boulevard du Temple, in the west - Sevastopol Boulevard, in the east - Beaumarchais Boulevard, and in the south - the Seine River.

The quarter is famous and interesting for tourists because it survived Osman’s “urban planning frenzy”, remaining almost untouched, and now here you can admire many magnificent palaces and mansions, adjacent to very ancient dwellings of artisans. And the royal family itself in the 14th century, while the Louvre was being reconstructed, lived in this area, in the “hotel” (mansion) of Saint-Paul. Today, here, on the right bank of the Seine, is the Parisian town hall, a beautiful palace Hotel de Ville(fr. Hotel de Ville), where the Parisian municipal authorities have been located since 1357. The Hôtel de Ville, with its graceful 110 m long façade, is located on the former medieval Place de Grève ( place de Greve), now the Hôtel de Ville square.

On New Year's Eve, when we found ourselves in Paris, life in the square was in full swing: there was an outdoor skating rink, music and a Christmas market. Fun and beautiful.

At the western border of the Marais quarter is the world famous Pompidou Center, built in the 70s based on an innovative design by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, selected from 680 competition entries. The Center for Contemporary Art, one of the best in the world, was named after French President Georges Pompidou, who, alas, did not live to see the project realized. The Pompidou Center is the third most visited attraction in Paris, after the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

Official website of the Pompidou Center: https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en

Cost: €14 (adult); You can buy it on the website, for a specific date, here.

Place de la Bastille

On the Place de la Bastille in Paris was the famous Bastille prison, captured on July 14, 1789 and completely destroyed during the French Revolution by July 14, 1790. The Bastille fortress was built in 1370-1383 as part of the defenses of Paris. It is believed that it was converted into a prison in the 17th century by King Charles VI. At that time, the Bastille held mainly political prisoners, as well as religious prisoners and "seditious" authors. The fortress-prison acquired a bad reputation when it became the main prison for prisoners arrested by order of the King of France, although the conditions in the Bastille were not the worst: there were many more terrible prisons in France at that time. The destruction of the Bastille became an expression of the struggle of the common people against the ruling regime, and the day of the storming of the Bastille is to this day the main national holiday of France (although, according to official data, it is not the storming of the Bastille itself that is celebrated, but the reconciliation of the king and the deputies that occurred exactly a year later). The outline of the Bastille fortress, marked on the pavement with stones of contrasting color, can be seen at the end of the street of the modern Rue Saint-Antoine. Some of the stones remaining after dismantling the walls of the fortress were used for the construction of a new bridge over the Seine - the Concorde Bridge, the other part was used to make souvenirs.

These days, Place de la Bastille is a busy transport hub where more than a dozen Parisian streets converge. The metro station of the same name is also located here. Until 1984, the Bastille railway station stood on the site of the modern opera house.

The square contains a number of attractions.

In the center of the square stands the July Column - bronze, 80 meters high, dedicated to the events of the July Revolution of 1830. The Bastille Opera, an ultra-modern building built to commemorate the bicentenary of the storming of the Bastille (1789-1989), is a significant concert venue. In fact, it is on this stage that most opera productions take place in Paris today, while ballet performances are increasingly taking place on the stage of the Opéra Garnier. Part of the fortress's former moat was rebuilt into a port, now known as Port Arsenal, used for pleasure boats. Here you can also see a section of the Canal Saint-Martin.

The square often hosts concerts and various public events, including political demonstrations. The north-eastern part of this area, with its numerous cafes, bars, nightclubs and concert halls, becomes especially crowded at night.

Day 5. Montmartre. Opera Garnier. Champs Elysees. Triumphal Arch. A little shopping

Of course, we could not ignore Montmartre hill(the literal translation of the name is Mount of Martyrs), which is the highest point of Paris, with its famous basilica of Sacré-Coeur (Sacred Heart, or Heart of Christ). You can climb the hill using the famous stairs or using the funicular (you can pay for the journey with a metro ticket).

Sacré-Coeur is one of the most famous Catholic churches in Paris, it is very photogenic, both outside and inside, but is quite young, it is only a century old (built in 1875-1914). By the way, it was built “in memory” of the liberation of Paris from the commune, after the bloody massacre of members of the commune in May 1871. I suspect that the French National Assembly decided to build this church on the Montmartre hill rather not as a memory, but as an edification...

In addition to the basilica, the hill itself and, perhaps, the area at its foot are definitely of interest to tourists. On the hill, to the left of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, is an ancient Benedictine monastery (12th century) - one of the oldest sacred places in Paris.

And the intricate streets on the hill, winding in the vicinity of the famous Place du Tertre, are full of bohemian charm: it was here, on the hill and at its foot, that in the 19th century, impressionist artists huddled in their closets (Renoir, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec lived and worked here , Utrillo, Apollinaire, Customs Officer Rousseau; a little later - Picasso, Braque, Modigliani), and this is where today there are art salons in almost every home. Many artists still work here today. A very interesting and “atmospheric” place.

Montmartre Hill, the highest point in Paris, offers a beautiful view of the city:

When we went down the hill, we decided to take a walk to the famous and, perhaps, the most “promoted” cabaret for tourists - Moulin Rouge (aka “Red Mill”). Our path ran along the well-known “Red Light District” - Boulevard Clichy, located between Places Blanche and Pigalle. The place, let me tell you, is not an acquired taste: numerous sex shops and brothels (it seems that they are already open, despite the morning hours), dubious-looking personalities, mostly of Arab origin, in general, the quarter gives the impression of being not only a “dirty” place, but also very criminal. It is clear that any place looks completely different in daylight and artificial lighting. However, we had no desire to check how this area would look in the dark: here, even at 11 am, we wanted to clutch our purse tightly and, having taken a photo with the Moulin Rouge in the background, quickly move from here to some more “civilized” place. area.

Opera Garnier

National Opera of Paris. Official website: https://www.operadeparis.fr/. In fact, the Palais Garnier, or Palace Garnier, is only one of the venues of the national opera, which currently hosts mainly ballet performances, but, undoubtedly, the most luxurious. The second site is the ultra-modern Opera Bastille building, located at 130 rue de Lyon, 75 012 Paris.

It was interesting to get inside, but we didn’t have time to bother buying tickets for the performances in time, and by that time we didn’t know anything about the fact that there are excursions to the Palais Garnier building (as well as to the Opera Bastille building), the tour lasts about 75 minutes, tickets are available buy 10 minutes before the start, cost for adults is €12 at Opera Bastille and €10 at Palais Garnier (audio guide at Palais Garnier costs additional €5). No problem, we'll leave that for next time. But even from the outside the building looks truly luxurious.

The square in front of the Opera Garnier building is considered by many to be the very heart of Paris. At least, many popular tourist routes start from here.

How to get to the Opera Garnier building:

Address: Corner of Rue Scribe and Rue Auber, 75009 Paris

Metro station: Alight at Opera, lines 3,7,8
RER: Auber stop, line A

Champs Elysees

According to a popular stereotype, the Champs Elysees is “the most beautiful avenue in the world.” I don’t know what about “in the world”, but walking along the Champs Elysees illuminated for Christmas is very pleasant! By the way, the length of this street is 1915 m, width 71 m.

The Champs Elysees is a wide avenue (I would rather call it a boulevard) between Place de la Concorde, on which stands the Luxor Obelisk, donated to France by the Viceroy of Egypt in the 1830s, and Place des Stars (or, since 1969, Place Charles de Gaulle), in the center of which is the Arc de Triomphe.

What to see and pay attention to on the Champs Elysees

The Champs Elysees is conventionally divided into two zones: park and shopping. From the Place de la Concorde to the Round Square on both sides of the avenue there is a walking park 700 meters long and 300-400 wide, divided by alleys into squares:

northern sector, from east to west:

• Square of Ambassadors (the name comes from the hotels built by the architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel for foreign diplomats on the Place de la Concorde). Not long ago, the famous couturier Pierre Cardin organized his cultural center Espace Pierre Cardin here. The famous sculptural group “Horses” by Marly Guillaume Coustou is also located here.
• Elysee Square (in front of the Elysee Palace). At the corner of the Champs-Elysées and Avenue Marigny there is a monument to Jean Moulin, a hero of the Resistance who was captured by the Nazis and died under torture. One of the main attractions of the Champs Elysees is the Parisian residence of the head of the French Republic, the Elysee Palace. All French presidents, starting with the Third Republic, lived and worked in this palace.
• Marigny square (where the Circus street begins). The Marigny Theater has been located here since 1855 and for several years it was led by the founder of French operetta, Jacques Offenbach. There is also a philatelic market in this square.

southern sector, from east to west:

• Georama square, or Ledoyen (opposite the Ambassadors square): Here is located one of the oldest French restaurants - Pavillon Ledoyen. The pavilion (a yellow building that has survived to this day), built back in 1848 under Louis XVI, played a significant cultural role: such celebrities as Flaubert, Maupassant and Zola, Jean Cocteau visited here.
• the large square of the Games, or the large square of the Holidays (opposite the Elysee square). This site, which overlooked the windows of the Elysee Palace, was organized by the Marquis of Marigny on behalf of Louis XV's mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour. Here is the Small Palace and the Grand Palace, where the Museum of Discoveries and Inventions opened. In the center of Place Clemenceau stands a bronze statue of the great military leader Clemenceau, who led France to victory in the First World War.

In each of the squares, except the last one, fountains were installed in 1840-1847.

The park part of the Champs Elysees ends at the Round Square (Ron Point), where the theater of the same name is located (Theater de Rond-Point).

Further to the west begins the so-called “shop” part (two sidewalks of 22 m each and a roadway of 27 m), where banks, airline offices, car exhibition windows, the editorial office of the newspaper Le Figaro and the newspaper Jour de France, a large number of cinemas are concentrated, restaurants, many different shops famous around the world, including the multi-level music shopping center Virgin Megastore, the aristocratic Russian restaurant Rasputin, the famous Lido cabaret, the central tourist office of Paris, and also the best (in my humble opinion) in everything world Sephora store.

Triumphal Arch

The Champs-Élysées ends at Place des Stars, so named because 12 streets radiate from here, but in 1969 renamed Place Charles de Gaulle. In the center of the square is the famous Arc de Triomphe. The roof of the arch is an observation deck with a good view of the Champs Elysees and Paris, built in the 19th century by Haussmann. In the central span of the arch, since 1921, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been built, on which the Eternal Flame has been lit since 1926. Although troops no longer pass under the arch, it is one of the most solemn and formal places in Paris.

According to the law of meanness, on the day we ended up there, it was a day off, and we didn’t have a chance to get on the roof.

By the way, the easiest way to get to the Arch is by metro, station Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile.

Grand Boulevards, or a little shopping

We turned right from the arch onto Boulevard Haussmann, on which there are two centers of attraction for all shopaholics arriving in Paris - eternal competitors - department stores Au Printemps(address: 64, Boulevard Haussmann; official website: http://departmentstoreparis.printemps.com/) and Galeries Lafayette (address: 40, Boulevard Haussmann, official website (in Russian!): http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/ru/).

We spent the rest of the day there, enjoying shopping and the incredible Christmas atmosphere.

I cannot help but note the highest level of professionalism of the consultants in the cosmetic departments of these two department stores: I have continued to use much of what was selected and recommended by the female consultants for many years now.

Shopping in Paris

This time shopping was not the purpose of our trip, however, I cannot help but note that shopping in Paris is very pleasant! I am pleased with the choice, the prices, and the surroundings. First of all, I would advise going to Paris for perfume and cosmetic shopping (Sephora on the Champs-Elysees, you are forever in my heart!), as well as for clothes. Yes, prices in Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette department stores are often “biting” (unless you compare them with prices for products of the same “first-level” brands in Moscow and St. Petersburg), so that the French themselves usually risk coming here only during periods sales But there are areas - for example, Saint-Germain Boulevard and others, as well as department stores (for example, Bon Marche, etc.) where you will truly enjoy not only the assortment and quality, but also the prices.

Day 6. D'Orsay Museum. Once again admire the Seine as a farewell

On the last day before leaving, we decided to go to the famous D’Orsay Museum ( Musé e d‘ Orsay) . How could you leave Paris without admiring the famous masterpieces of the Impressionists in their, so to speak, historical homeland?

The museum is located on the left bank of the Seine, directly opposite the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden. It is located in a former station building, built on the occasion of the World's Fair of 1900, and houses the richest collection of works of Western art from the period 1848-1914 - masterpieces of painting, sculpture, objects of decorative and applied art, photographs, architectural drawings... The museum presents the most outstanding artists of the second half of the 19th - early 20th centuries: Daumier, Millet, Courbet, Carpeaux, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cezanne, Rodin, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Halle, Guimard, Lalique, Redon, Moreau, Villars, Bonnard, Buredel, Maillol and others. Actually, tourists are primarily interested in the works of the Impressionists here. However, the station building itself, as a museum space, is also very interesting.

The famous clock through which you can see the Montmartre hill and other hills in the vicinity of Paris

Ticket price: €11 (adult). At the entrance, as a rule, there is a queue; during the off-season, we stood for 20-30 minutes. It’s scary to imagine what happens here in the summer! I think it makes sense to purchase tickets online in advance. They are available on several sites: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/visit/admission/ticket-purchase.html

There are also combined tickets - Musé e d‘ Orsay + Musé e de l‘ Orangerie (€16) or Musé e d‘ Orsay+ Rodin Museum (€15). In general, it’s beneficial, and it would be useful to us, but we only found out about it on the last day of our stay in Paris.

Having admired the paintings of Renoir, Cezanne, Monet, Manet and others, we boarded the Batobus river bus at the pier near the museum and, as a farewell, made a circle around the entire center of Paris, then getting off at the Saint-Germain pier, near our hotel.

How would I plan a program for 6 days in Paris?

If the weather had allowed me to express myself the way I wanted, my routes for the first time in Paris would have been something like this:

Day 1

Get to any of the central metro stations (for example, Chatelet, or Saint-Germain-des-Pres, or any other) and just wander aimlessly along the streets wherever your eyes go (but without going to museums!), drink a cup of coffee with a croissant in one of the Parisian cafes, to feel the atmosphere of the city. Visit a couple of Gothic cathedrals, take a boat ride on the Seine, and walk along the Champs-Elysees. Perhaps, go to Notre Dame Cathedral and walk around it with an audio guide. In the evening, have dinner at a restaurant you like or buy wine with delicious French cheese and fruit for dinner at one of the shops.

Day 2

Louvre. Coming to Paris for the first time as a tourist and not going to the Louvre is a crime! The Louvre is a museum in which everyone (everyone, without exception!) will find interesting rooms and exhibits for themselves, not paintings and sculptures, but ancient Egyptian or ancient Mesopotamian collections. And if you are too lazy to look at the exhibits on the walls and in the windows, just come and stroll through the stunningly beautiful halls of the palace. In the evening, go for dinner to one of the famous Parisian cabarets - the “branded” Moulin Rouge, Lido, Crazy Horse or the small cozy La Belle Epoque (this is what real Parisian connoisseurs recommend visiting; tickets can be ordered on the website. If you’re not greedy, buy yourself a menu V.I.P. or l'Ocean, then you will have good seats. A ticket with a full dinner will end up costing half the price of the above-mentioned cabarets promoted for tourists).

Day 3

Ile de la Cité and the Latin Quarter. In the evening - go to the opera.

Day 4

Trip to Versailles (official website: http://en.chateauversailles.fr/homepage)

or (if with children) to Disneyland, or better yet, not even to Disneyland (it’s better to go there in its “historical homeland” - in America) but to the truly French amusement park “Asterix”

Amusement park "Asterix", which opened in 1989 just north of Paris, is an alternative to Disneyland located in the east of the capital; it is entirely dedicated to the national culture of the Gauls. The idea of ​​its creation emphasized that the French (with nothing against the American-style entertainment industry that brings them income) are capable of building their own “city” of fun leisure time - homely, cozy, congenial, imbued with local flavor.

The main distinctive feature of “Asterix” is the combination of entertainment and reverence for national traditions, which is presented in an easy and entertaining way, with the humor characteristic of the French. The theme of the park is the adventures of a funny Gaul Asterix. The character, although fictitious, is considered a folk hero because, with the support of a friend, Obelix, is waging an irreconcilable struggle against the Romans who invaded the territory of Gaul. Surely you have seen films starring Gerard Depardieu, based on the comic books of the same name.

Day 5

Rodin Museum

Les Invalides (Cathedral + Army Museum + Charles de Gaulle Museum)

Eiffel Tower

Champs Elysees

Triumphal Arch

Defense skyscraper district

Day 6

Museum D'Orsay or Pompidou, shopping, stroll through your favorite places in Paris.

For lovers, one day you can take a walk to one of the cemeteries in Paris - an unforgettable experience is guaranteed! Read more about the most.

Public transport in Paris

Parisian public transport website: www.ratp.fr

The metro is quite comfortable, utilitarian in a European way, without any architectural frills; it’s not difficult to understand the layouts and stations. One trip on the metro will cost you €1.80, if you buy 10 tickets at once - then €1.41.

If you plan to travel a lot by transport, it may make sense to purchase a single pass for all types of public transport - Paris Visite Pass. It is available for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days, for transport zones 1-3 (Paris and its surrounding suburbs) or 1-5 (includes Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, as well as Versailles).

Includes the following types of transport:

• metro
• RER trains (RATP and SNCF lines)
• buses operating in the Ile-de-France region (except buses to Jetbus and Allobus Roissy CDG airports and the Air France branded bus network, as well as tourist excursion buses)
• trams
• funicular to Montmartre hill

The ticket is valid from 0:00 on the start date until 24:00 on the end date. Prices can be viewed.

Before use, you must sign your first and last name on the back, as well as the start date. After this, the ticket becomes personal and cannot be transferred to other persons.

Links about public transport in Paris:

Simpler restaurants, cafes and brasserie in Paris

To enjoy excellent cuisine in Paris, you don’t have to spend fabulous sums.

In restaurants and cafes in Paris, there are so-called set menus, sometimes there are several of them (the French simply call them menu - in our opinion it is a “business lunch”, and the menu in our understanding is called a la carte). The menu consists of at least two dishes and prices are fixed. It is wise to take a menu at lunchtime because it costs about €20 even in upscale restaurants and about €12 in simpler restaurants and cafes.

Even the most famous restaurants in Paris offer menus at lunchtime that cost almost half as much as in the evening. If one dish is enough for you, order the plat du jour. Ordering a la carte will have more variety, but will cost more. Service is included in the bill in all restaurants, bars and cafes in Paris, but you can leave a few coins as a tip. House wine is usually inexpensive, but a bottle of something more famous will add €15 to the bill almost indefinitely.

Fast food and takeaway

You can find sandwich stalls on almost every corner in Paris. Most bakeries (boulangerie) sell not only bread and cakes, but also a variety of pies. At train stations and central streets, the chain Paul sells sandwiches. When packing for a picnic, try a charcuterie (charcuterie shop), a cheese shop, a market, or the deli section of any supermarket. Charcuterie specializing in meat products sometimes also offer ready-made salads and side dishes.

There are also specialized gourmet shops (traiteur), for example Fauchon. You can buy products in pieces or slices and ask them to pack them in a cardboard box (barquette). Asian, especially Chinese, delicacies are popular in Paris, as are Jewish and Eastern European delicacies. Sushi is sold everywhere (including takeaway).

Hot food can also be purchased to take away. In a creperie (pancake house), a huge number of which are just street stalls, you will be offered pancakes (sweet or with ham, cheese, etc.), pancakes and waffles with a variety of toppings and fillings. Turkish and North African kebab shops are very common, the latter also serving couscous with merguez (spicy sausage), chicken or lamb, or all three.

Alena Baltseva 01/20/2015 3806

Paris is not as expensive as it is described. How about free things to do in Paris?

The city of lovers, poets and artists, the fashion capital of the world, the mecca of gourmets, ... This city deserves a visit (even despite all its shortcomings, which we will not mention). But the prices for entrance tickets to museums, parks, theaters and tasting the famous French cuisine can cost a pretty penny. To ensure that meeting the city of your dreams does not harm the family budget, we offer 12 ideas of what to do and what to see in Paris completely free.

Get Gothic at Notre Dame Cathedral

Come to Paris and not see the world famous Notre Dame de Paris- this is coming to Paris in vain. This cathedral is a real pearl of Gothic architecture and the main literary attraction of the city, because it was in its honor that Victor Hugo’s greatest novel was named.

And the best part is that entrance to Notre Dame Cathedral, as well as to other existing churches, is absolutely free!

In addition, Notre Dame was built on the site of the first Christian church in Paris: services have been held on this land for the tenth century.

Experience beauty in museums

Museum Paris is, fortunately, not only the Louvre and the Orsay Museum. These are several dozen more museums, many of which do not charge admission. For example, the Museum of Perfumery, the Museum of the Bible and the Holy Land, the house museums of Honore de Balzac and Victor Hugo, the Museum of Fine Arts in the Petit Palais and many, many others.

By the way, there is an opportunity to visit the most famous museums in Paris without paying a cent. The main thing is to come on a free day, of which there are several in Paris:

• Museum day– the first Sunday of every month.
• Night of Museums– like all over the world, in May.
• Cultural Heritage Day- one weekend in September.
• White Night- early October.
• Bastille Day(in some museums) – July 14.

Be prepared for a huge influx of tourists to Paris's most popular museums. Unlike paid days, you shouldn’t come here right before the opening – you will be greeted by a huge queue. It is better to start the day with less popular museums, and after lunch go to visit Gioconda and Nike of Samothrace.

Honor the memory of great people in Parisian cemeteries

Ancient cemeteries in Europe are places where grief is unusually mixed with admiration. And this is not surprising, because for the most part they are real reserves of majestic architecture. AND Père Lachaise cemetery not an exception.

Many famous people of France and many other countries are buried here: Honore de Balzac, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Frederic Chopin, Maria Callas, Yves Montand, Eugene Delacroix. The list can be continued endlessly.

A slightly less famous cemetery in Paris - Montparnasse cemetery, located in the area of ​​the same name. Here you can lay flowers at the graves of Camille Saint-Saëns, Jean-Paul Sartre, Guy de Maupassant, and Samuel Beckett.

Admire the mosaics of the Sacre Coeur

One of the main attractions of the lively and noisy Montmartre is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart ( Sacré-Coeur). Constructed of white marble, this stunning temple sits atop the famous staircase, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Paris. The interior of the basilica is notable for its golden mosaics.

There is no charge for visiting the basilica, but you will have to pay for an excursion to the dome or the crypt.

Go on a picnic in Luxembourg Park

Having wandered around the museums of Paris to your heart's content, it's time to refresh yourself and stretch your legs. Or you can combine both by having a picnic in Luxembourg park. Here you can spend several hours lying on the lawn or sitting on a bench with a book. Or you can walk around, looking at numerous sculptures that are not inferior in beauty to those in the museum.

This picturesque Parisian park is located in the Latin Quarter of the city and is surrounded on all sides by famous attractions: the Luxembourg and Petit Palaces, the Luxembourg Museum, and the Orangerie.

Travel to the Roman Empire in the Arenas of Lutetia

Few tourists reach this historical place, but Arenas of Lutetia is a Roman amphitheater built in the 2nd century AD! It is believed that this is one of the most spacious amphitheaters in France and in the old days could accommodate about 10,000 spectators who came here to watch bloody gladiatorial fights and entertainment performances.

Buy antique souvenirs at a flea market

Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen is the famous flea market of Paris. As they say, if you want to know how a city lives, go to the market. And this is absolutely fair!

Entrance to the flea market is, of course, completely free, and no one will force you to spend all the money you brought with you (although the temptation will arise). Here you can just walk, look at trays with all sorts of antiques, while at the same time becoming familiar with French culture.

Admire the Eiffel Tower on the Champ de Mars

The elevator to the top of the famous Eiffel Tower is not a cheap pleasure. And besides, queues can discourage any desire to get to know the symbol of Paris better. But why not admire it from afar? For example, sitting on the grass on Champ de Mars? The view is much better than up close.

Have a stomach feast on Rue Mouffetard

Rue Mouffetard can be called the Parisian Arbat. Here you will find dozens of cozy shops and cafes. And on Saturdays it turns into one big food market. Here you can try, pamper yourself with all sorts of cheese and wines and sweeten your life with delicious chocolate.

On Sundays you can find live music and dancing on this street.

Go ice skating in the city center

During the three winter months, skating rinks open in Paris, as in any self-respecting city. And in the capital of France they are also absolutely free! You only have to pay for skate rental.

A nice bonus is that you can ride for free near attractions. The most popular skating rinks in Paris - City Hall building, near Towers of Montparnasse and on the first floor Eiffel Tower.

Plunge into the world of fashion at Galeries Lafayette

Paris is the universally recognized capital of fashion, but not every tourist can afford tickets to shows of the world's leading brands. This is not a reason to be upset, because the famous Galeries Lafayette holds free fashion shows twice a week - on Mondays and Fridays at three o'clock in the afternoon.

Admission to the show is free, but you must pre-book your place on the gallery website.

Visit the Music Festival

Every year on June 21, a large-scale music festival is held in Paris - "Fête de la Musique"(“Music Festival”, sometimes translated as “Music Day”). Here you can hear both famous singers and beginning performers absolutely free of charge.

Have a pleasant experience in Paris!

Paris has always been surrounded by a romantic aura. This is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, the capital of lovers, the center of art and European palace architecture. Excursion programs in Paris are always rich, so every day you will discover the capital of France anew.

A river cruise along the Seine, admiring the solemn arches of Notre Dame de Paris, a picnic on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower, tasting the best French wines and cheeses - this is a short list of what you need to do during a trip to Paris.

All year round, the French capital hosts festivals and events, interesting theater premieres, and the best exhibitions in Europe. Paris is also a center for gastronomic tourism. Haute French cuisine is considered the most sophisticated in the world.

The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see and where to go in Paris?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.

The most famous and recognizable symbol of Paris (and all of France), a place of pilgrimage for tourists from all over the world. The attraction is visited by several million people every year. The tower is a 324 meter high metal structure with elevators, an observation deck, restaurants and a lighthouse at the top. It was built by Gustav Eiffel and originally served as the entrance to the grounds of the 1900 Paris Universal Exhibition.

An architectural ensemble that served as the residence of French kings from the 16th to the 17th centuries. before the court moved to Versailles. The palace turned into a museum already in the 18th century. The first collections were collected from the personal funds of Francis I and Louis XIV. Now the Louvre collection includes more than 400 thousand exhibits, about 35 thousand are constantly exhibited. The museum houses the famous painting “Mona Lisa” created by da Vinci.

Architectural monument on Charles de Gaulle Square. Construction of the monument began in 1806 by order of Napoleon Bonaparte after the French victory in the Battle of Austerlitz. The work was completed after the death of the emperor in 1936. The arch was built by the architect Jean Chalgrin. On four sides the monument is decorated with sculptural groups dedicated to military victories and achievements of the French Revolution.

An outstanding example of Gothic architecture, the most visited cathedral in Paris. It began to be built in the 12th century on the site of the ancient pagan temple of Jupiter. By the middle of the 14th century, the work was completed. During the French Revolution, Notre Dame fell into disrepair, but in 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte chose it as the site of his coronation, thereby partially returning the temple to its former significance. The last restoration took place in the 1920s.

The temple is located on the Montmartre hill, it rises above Paris with snow-white domes. Construction began in the second half of the 19th century, when France was going through difficult times. The temple was erected on the site of a demolished Benedictine monastery, where Ignatius of Loyola himself, the future Grand Master of the Jesuit Order, took his vows. The basilica was built over 30 years using donations from Parisians and government funds.

The famous Parisian street, along with Fifth Avenue in New York and Oxford Street in London, is considered the most expensive street in the world. It stretches for almost 2 km. from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. Important events for the social life of France take place here; during the holidays, the street is elegantly decorated with garlands. Famous brand stores, restaurants, and hotels are concentrated on the Champs Elysees.

A palace and park ensemble in a Parisian suburb, the famous residence of French monarchs. Versailles appeared thanks to the efforts of Louis XIV in the 17th century. Gradually, from a modest hunting castle, under the supervision of architects Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Louis Levo, a luxurious palace grew, which became a symbol of the era of the “Sun King”. Many European monarchs took Versailles as a model for building their own residences.

The architectural complex was erected for the wife of Henry IV, Marie de Medici, in the 17th century. Now the French Senate meets in the palace, and the garden has become a popular place for walks among Parisians. Concerts and photo exhibitions are often held here. The attraction is located in the Latin Quarter of the city. Somewhere in this area lived the famous characters of A. Dumas from the immortal work “The Three Musketeers”.

Hill and famous area of ​​the French capital. A colorful place where representatives of Parisian bohemians lived, among whom were Andre Salmon, Picasso, Modigliani, Georges Braque. The modern art style of cubism was born in Montmartre. A considerable number of attractions are concentrated here: boulevards, temples, museums. People of art still gather in the main square of the district.

Located in the very center of the capital, in the middle of the Seine River. Several bridges connect the island with the rest of the city on all sides. The Cité is the very heart of Paris and is home to Notre Dame de Paris, the Conciergerie Castle and the Sainte-Chapelle chapel. Celtic settlements on the island appeared in 300 BC. In 508 AD The fortress on the Cite became the residence of rulers from the Merovingian clan - the first dynasty of French rulers.

A square from the late 18th century, built on the site of the defensive fortress of the Bastille. For almost 400 years, the fort served as a prison for political prisoners and became a symbol of the hated monarchy for the people. After the famous storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, it was decided to dismantle the structure. In its place a wide square was paved. In 1840, the July Column was erected here in honor of the July Revolution.

An ancient district in the center of Paris, located around the Sorbonne University. Previously, mostly students settled here, since in addition to the Sorbonne, there are several other educational institutions in the quarter. Over time, the area has developed into a tourist attraction. It's always noisy and fun here. The numerous bars offer a relaxed, party atmosphere.

The real pride of France, one of the best and oldest European universities. The educational institution was founded at the beginning of the 13th century and since then has religiously observed old traditions and maintained the highest quality of education. From the beginning of the 17th century, the Sorbonne became the center of European philosophy and theology. Today, the Sorbonne brand unites 13 independent universities.

A popular museum of modern art, built in 1977 by French President J. Pompidou. It is a symbol of modernization and renewal of France. The original design of the building was proposed by the authors R. Rogers and R. Piano. The structure is unusual in that all engineering communications are moved outside, and inside, maximum space is used for various exhibitions.

A museum where collections of impressionists and post-impressionists are exhibited. The building was built for the opening of the Paris World Exhibition in 1900 and was used as a railway station until 1939. The architecture of the museum is a combination of elements of industrial style with classicism of the 19th century. After the station closed, it was planned to demolish the house and build a hotel in its place, but then it was decided to organize a museum.

Another name for the theater stage is Grand Opera. Its construction began under Emperor Napoleon III in the mid-19th century according to the design of the architect Charles Garnier. Several dozen sculptors worked on decorating the facade, so there is no single style in the design. The interiors of the opera are designed without bulky columns and supports (as in other theaters), so there is a lot of space and light inside.

The famous French variety show, art cafe and the hallmark of Parisian nightlife. Cabaret has existed since the end of the 19th century and has been very popular for more than 100 years. At first, this place was considered a “dirty establishment” with frivolous morals. The cabaret hall is always full, tickets for performances are sold out in advance. The show features dozens of performers and hundreds of costumes made by famous designers.

Architectural complex near the Eiffel Tower. The house was built under Louis XIV and was used as a shelter for veterans who were wounded and maimed during the wars. There were no similar establishments in Europe, so the monarch showed his best side, showing concern for his subjects. The Invalides received its first guests in 1674. The ensemble consists of the Church of St. Louis, orderly rows of barracks, a park and a hospital.

Former royal castle on the Ile de la Cité, one of the oldest in Paris. It was built on the site of a 6th-century fortress where the Frankish king Clovis lived. Until the end of the 14th century, French monarchs lived in the castle, but after the court moved to the Louvre, the Conciergerie was turned into a prison, which over the centuries was overgrown with dark stories. From here, thousands of prisoners (including Queen Marie Antoinette) went to the guillotine.

A building in the style of French classicism in the Latin Quarter. Initially it served as a church, but later became a burial place for famous and important personalities in French history. Construction of the Pantheon began in 1764, the first stone was laid by King Louis XV. Under the arches of the building lie the ashes of the great thinkers Rousseau and Voltaire, writers Emile Zola and Victor Hugo, and physicist Marie Sklodowska-Curie.

The only skyscraper in the city over 200 meters in height. The tower houses company offices, shops, banks and restaurants. More than 5,000 employees are in the building every day. You can get to the observation decks by using high-speed elevators, which take passengers to the 56th floor in a few tens of seconds. The tower was erected in the period 1969-1972.

A world-famous necropolis where many famous personalities are buried. The attraction attracts more than 2 million tourists a year. The cemetery has been operating since 1804, over two centuries its territory has grown to several tens of hectares, today it is a whole city with alleys, chapels and monumental crypts. Many actors, statesmen, writers, artists and poets found their final refuge here.

A network of artificial caves and tunnels laid at a depth of 15-20 meters. Their total length is several hundred kilometers. Dungeons have existed since the 13th century. Previously, there were limestone mines, then wine cellars, and since the 18th century - underground cemeteries. Tourists can follow a 2.5-kilometer excursion route in the catacombs; the rest of the underground complex is closed.

An elegant bridge decorated with figures of angels, nymphs and openwork lanterns in the Beaux Arts architectural style. Throws across the Seine River. By crossing the bridge, you can get from the Champs Elysees to the territory of the Invalides. The structure was named after the Russian Emperor Alexander III to highlight the closeness of France and Russia during a certain period of time. The bridge was declared a valuable architectural monument in 1975.

Paris street, which became famous during the development of cinema. It was here in 1985 that the Lumiere brothers showed their first film. Afterwards, small cinemas began to open on the boulevard one by one, as the new art quickly gained popularity among the public. The Olympia and Paramount Opera, opened at the beginning of the 20th century, are still operating. The composer Jacques Offenbach lived on the Boulevard des Capucines.

The large green area of ​​Paris, a park area that is called the “western lungs of Europe”. In past centuries, royal hunting grounds were located here. Luxurious holidays, receptions, and picnics of the French court were held on the territory of the forest. Under Louis XVI, the Bois de Boulogne was opened to the public. Now this area has become a popular city park.

A public park extending from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde. Sculptures are installed in the garden - copies of exhibits from the royal Versailles, chestnut alleys are planted, and flower beds are laid out. The park was started by Catherine de Medici. On her orders, the tiled workshops were demolished (they were called “Tuileries”, hence the name of the garden) and the place was cleared for the future park.

The river, which is considered the soul and center of life in Paris. It is one of the largest in France. The Seine originates in Burgundy and flows into the English Channel. On the territory of Paris, the river artery bends many times, dividing the French capital into a historical, cultural and business part. Numerous pleasure boats ply along the Seine, carrying tourists from area to area.

A shopping center, a temple of the fashion industry and a place of pilgrimage for fashionistas from all over the world. The collections of all the famous French designers are presented here. Initially, at the end of the 19th century, it was a small shop selling ribbons and lace, but after a few years it grew into a large shopping center. Galeries Lafayette was one of the first to use modern marketing: bright signs, discounts and large windows.

An amusement park in the Parisian suburb of Marne-la-Vallée, operating since 1992. The park is owned by the American company Walt Disney. This is a magical world for children, where all the famous characters from Disney cartoons live, the scenery from their favorite fairy tales is recreated, and there are countless attractions that delight adults too. The park contains residential and business areas, hotels and golf courses.