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Rue de Rivoli
This lovely arcade was begun by Napoleon in 1811. Under its arches
are two English language book stores; Angelina's, a tea salon famous
for its thick hot chocolate; and the luxurious Hotel Meurice. Tolstoy
at one time lived in one of the apartments above the Arcade.
George Pompidou Center
The George
Pompidou Center (Beaubourg,) is home to one of the
most important modern art museums in the world displaying modern
and contemporary painting, sculpture, graphic art, photographs,
rare books, films, new media, architecture and design. It is also
the site of Paris' largest public research library.
Located in the complex, but in another building, is one of the
worlds most advanced computer music laboratories. The high-tech
design of the building incorporates an escalator in a Plexiglas
tube which gives one of the city's best panoramic views. There
is a restaurant on the top floor with the same spectacular views.
The Place Georges-Pompidou, in front of the museum, often has
impromptu street entertainment. Close by is the 'quirky', fun
Stravinsky Fountain where one can sit and have a picnic or choose
from several inexpensive restaurants overlooking the Fountain.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 12 noon-10 p.m. Saturday, Sunday
and Bank Holidays 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Tuesdays.
Notre-Dame de Paris
The Cathedral
of Notre Dame de Paris dates back to 1163 but was not
completed until 1345. It is one of the masterpieces of Gothic art
in Western Europe. Its facade, the soaring Gothic ribbed vaulting,
its huge light-filled interior and awe-inspiring stained glass windows
are magnificent artistic achievements. The square in front of the
Cathedral is called the Place du Parvis. In the center is a plaque
from which all road distances in France are measured. Of course,
this is the setting for Victor Hugo’s ‘The Hunchback of
Notre Dame’.
La Sainte Chapelle
See the exquisite stained glass windows of this small 12th century
church built by Louis IX to house what he believed to be a part of
the Cross and for which he paid more than the church itself. Try to
visit on a sunny day when it looks like a ‘jewel box’.
Pont Neuf
Paris's most famous and beautiful bridge, was completed in 1607.
A statue of Henri IV stands near its center. The Bridge joins the
Right Bank of the Seine to Ile de la Cite and continues to the left
bank. Along the Quays are the Bouquinistes selling antique books and
prints.
Chatelet & Les Halles
Rue de la Ferronnerie and Rue des Lombards is now an area of many
gay bars and restaurants. It was outside 11 Rue de la Ferronnerie
in 1610 that Henri IV was stabbed to death in his carriage.
Nearby is Les Halles underground pedestrian concourse lined with
shops and an RER and Metro Hub. It is on the site of the old "Les
Halles" Central Market.
Rue Vieille-du-Temple and rue St. Croix de la Bretonnerie
With its many cafes, restaurants, clubs, fashion boutiques and
“maisons et objects” stores, it is the center of Paris’s
vibrant gay community. Shops are open on Sunday when most other
parts of Paris are closed. On rue St. Crois de la Bretonnerie is
the gay bookstore ‘Les Mots a la Bouche, and a nice salon for
tea is ‘Mariage Freres’, 30-32 rue du Bourg-Tibourg, which
sells 450 varieties of tea.
A noticeable landmark is the Gothic Hotel Herouet and its turret
built in 1528 at the corner of rue des Frances-Bourgeois and rue
Vieille-du-Temple.
Place des Vosges
Place des Vosges, built by Henri IV and completed in 1612, it
is known as the most beautiful square in Europe. It is noted for
its picturesque streets, boutiques, galleries, and beautifully restored
16th & 18th century "hôtels particuliers". Madam
de Seveigne was born at #1 bis, #21 is where Richelieu lived and
#6 was Victor Hugo’s residence, now a museum to him
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