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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.
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.
Louvre
Once a royal Renaissance palace, the Louvre Museum houses some
of the world’s most famous works of art, highlights of which
are the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory,
360
degree visit . Closed on Tuesdays.
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 St-Honore
This Street has been a major thoroughfare since the 12th century
and is now lined with luxurious shops and trendy boutiques. At #163
stood the old St-Honore Gate where Joan of Arc was wounded in the
thigh by an English archer in 1429. Her statue is nearby on Rue
de Rivoli to commemorate this event.
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’.
Eglise de St. Eustache
Begun in 1532 and completed in 1647 it is one of the largest, most famous
and beautiful churches in Paris. It has a particularly noteworthy organ
and was the setting for the first performances of works by Berlioz and Liszt.
The Palais Royal & Gardens
The Palais
Royal was constructed for Cardinal Richelieu in 1628.
On the southwest corner is the Comedie Francaise and on the northwest
corner is the 4-star 'Grand Vefour', an haute cuisine restaurant
since the 1760s. The Palais Royal was home to Colette and Jean
Cocteau.
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.
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