Museums

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.

The Islands

Ile St Louis and Notre Dame

The islands in the Seine are shared by the lst and 4th arrondissements Ile St-Louis Ile St-Louis with its aristocratic town houses, courtyards, and antique shops is home to dozens of 17th century mansions and 6,000 lucky ‘louisiens’, its permanent residents. Voltaire found it "the second best" address in all the world, citing the straits of the Bosphorus separating Europe from Asia as number one. Berthillon the famous and popular ice-cream store is located at 31 Rue St-Louis-en-l’Ile.

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’

Mansions

Hotel de Sully:
Built 1625, is now the site of the Ancient Monuments and Buildings Commission which distributes free maps and brochures on monuments and museums.
Hotel de Lamoignon, built 1584, now contains the Historical Library of Paris. Its reading room with painted ceiling is one of the finest in Paris.

Hotel de Sens
Originally inhabited by the archbishop of Sens, this mansion was built between 1475 and 1507, and is one of only three medieval private residences remaining in Paris. It is now the home of the Bibliotheque Fornay – devoted to decorative and fine arts, as well as industrial techniques.

Hotel Henault de Cantobre
Now holds the European House of Photography, which organizes various photographic exhibitions.

Hotel de Ville (Town Hall)
The first city council dates back to 1246. The current Hotelde Ville is built over a former one, which was burned down by the 1871 Commune. The Place de Greve (or Strand) in front of the Hotel de Ville received its name from the beach which served as a river port for unloading wheat and wood. It became the center where Parisians often gathered, particularly for public executions. Thus the name “greve” which has come to mean “strike”, a word which you will quite often come across in French life. The Hotel de Ville is open to visitors. At the 29 rue de Rivoli entrance is the ‘Salon d’accueil’ a welcome and information center with many free brochures and free tickets to concert sand happenings in Paris. It also has changing exhibitions here. The Place de Greve is now often the scene for exhibitions, concerts and special shows.

Dinner Cruises on the Don Juan Yacht
Every evening Yachts de Paris invites you to enjoy a gourmet dinner by the celebrated chef 2 Stars Michelin Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato on an unforgettable cruise aboard one of their magnificent yachts.
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Notre Dame and the Soul of Paris Tour
A drive through the oldest part of the city will enable you to discover first the Marais district and its "hotels particuliers", i.e. the majestic private town-houses built by the French Nobility 3 or 4 centuries ago, the Latin Quarter with the Sorbonne, the Luxembourg gardens, Saint-Germain des Prés with its old church and its famous cafés, a guided visit to the interior of Notre-Dame Cathedral (except during mass and a short cruise to approach and leave the City Island (except if the river is too high).
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Private Walking Tours

The "Gay Marais "
Discover the historical and multi-cultural diversity of the Marais and the heart of gay life in France. As you stroll through history you will enjoy a unique multi-sensual experience to stimulate your mind and body.
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The Naughty Marais
Feats of derring-do plus some hanky-panky, whose ghosts - including those of King Louis XIV and his mistress (eight, count'em, children) - Mme de Montespan) still haunt the exquisite architecture of what was once THE place to live in the French capital. (Not for children)
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