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Paris monuments
The Quartier Latin
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 | Paris monuments, Travel Guide | No Comments
In the list of must see sights and attractions in Paris, the Latin Quarter is one of the most famous areas!
The Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin) is situated on the left bank of the Seine in Paris and has for historic center the Sorbonne. It extends on both 5th and 6th arrondissements from Saint Germain des Pres to the Jardin du Luxembourg, with lots of monuments to visit: the Pantheon, the Senate, the Lutece Arenas, the Saint Sulpice Church etc. Its name comes from the numerous universities and schools of the area where Latin language has long been spoken, since Latin was the international language of learning. Thus, this district is very frequented by students and teachers because of the presence of universities such as la Sorbonne, Paris II Pantheon Assas, the Jussieu Campus, Paris III Sorbonne Nouvelle, le College de France and the Sainte Genevieve’s library. There are also a lot of famous colleges: l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, les Beaux-Arts, Agro Paris Tech or high prestigious high schools: Louis Le Grand, Stanislas, Henri IV, Montaigne etc. Consequently, specialized libraries have been established in the district such as Gibert Jeune, which is a true institution for Paris!
Continuing west along the banks of the Seine, make a leap in time and follow in the footsteps of Boris Vian, jazz music and the existentialism! Saint Germain des Pres with the famous “Café de Flore” and “Café des Deux Magot“ are actually where Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and many Parisian left-wing intellectuals settle down in the 40′s. In between, the Place Saint Michel is a meeting place also well known, a few steps from the famous Rue de la Huchette and its numerous restaurants where tourists and students come together happily.
Enjoy your visit in this mythical area with an undeniable charm …
Book your hotel in Paris Left Bank:
Hôtel Best Western Bretagne Montparnasse***
Hôtel Sèvres Montparnasse**
Find an hotel in Paris:
Hotel Best Western Bretagne Montparnasse***
Hotel Sèvres Montparnasse**
L’île Saint Louis
Friday, September 23rd, 2011 | Paris monuments | No Comments
Paris is full of charming corners, l’île Saint Louis is one of them!
In the center of Paris, in the 4th arrondissement, l’île Saint Louis is located upstream of l’île de la Cité. These islands of the Seine are both natural, only l’île Aux Cygnes is artificial.
L’île Saint Louis, with its parallelogram shape, is smaller than l’île de la Cité and has an 11ha surface. It is connected to the 2 banks of the Seine by 4 bridges and is connected to l’île de la Cité by the Saint Louis bridge.
The most beautiful buildings of the île Saint Louis was made by Louis Le Vau, a famous French Architect. He came to the island with his family at the end of 1630’s and managed the construction of private yards and in 1644 he built the church Saint-Louis-en-L’île which is the only one on the island. In 1664, the housing development was almost achieved. Two forms of population lived there: wealthy tradesmen and craftsmen who lived inside the island or people from a higher standing such as nobles and bourgeois who preferred to live on the banks of the island in town houses. Because of the number of these huge houses, the island was called “l’île des Palais”, “the Island of Palaces”. L’Hôtel Lambert, built by Louis Le Vau, is the biggest town house of the island and is situated quai d’Anjou.
Since 1725, the island has been called l’île Saint Louis because of Louis IX, called Saint Louis. According to legend, he used to pray on the island and took the cross with his knights in 1269 before the 8th crusade. This expedition was fatal because he died one year later in Tunis.
Today, many famous people live on the island, as the journalist and writer Claude Sarraute, the singer Brigitte Fontaine or the couple Jamel Debbouze and Mélissa Theuriau.
Finally, if you want to taste the best Sorbets and Ice Cream of Paris , go to Berthillon in the Saint Louis en L’île street !
Find an hotel in Paris:
Hotel Best Western Aurore***
Hotel Alexandrie***
Hotel Gare de Lyon***
Hotel Best Western Premier Louvre Saint Honoré****
Hotel Best Western Ducs de Bourgogne****
The Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain
Monday, July 4th, 2011 | Paris monuments | No Comments
If you are looking for some cultural tips for your next trip to Paris, why wouldn’t you go to the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain?
Since 1984, the Fondation Cartier has tried to promote new French or International contemporary artists with different kind of events: exhibitions, shows, acquisition and events such as the well know “Soirées Nomades”… Besides, the foundation is present on all fronts by highlighting sculpture, video, sound, design or photography. The own collection of the foundation gathers all the contemporary culture since the 80’s century, with more than 1000 pieces from 300 different authors, and is particularly interested in other cultures: American, African and Asian.
The Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain was created in 1984 by Alain-Dominique Perrin. First located in Jouy en Josas, the foundation moved to Paris at 261, Boulevard Raspail in 1994. In this 1200m² building designed by Jean Nouvel, 3 floors are dedicated to the exhibitions. The transparency and the plays on volumes and walls of this architecture are pretty interesting too. By the way, the museum is surrounded by a garden landscaping by Lothar Baumgarten.
Until September 25th, the Fondation Cartier welcomes the Voodoo Exhibition by Jacques Kerchache. Voodoo sculptures will be showed off so we can learn about this culture. Movies, pictures and notes will be there to help us understanding these West Africa valuables.
Come to the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain to discover this great bulding or learn more about the fascinating Voodoo culture!
Find an hotel in Paris:
Hotel Best Western Bretagne Montparnasse***
Hotel Sèvres Montparnasse**
The Opera Garnier
Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 | About Paris, Paris monuments | No Comments
The Opera Garnier is one of the most famous buildings of Paris, built in the Second Empire. It is located in the center of Paris, in the 9th arrondissement. With its large proportions and its very central location, on the Place de l’Opéra, the Palais Garnier is an unmissable monument of the French capital! It was called Opera of Paris before the opening of the Opera Bastille in 1989.The Opera Bastille was created to relieve the activity of the Opera of Paris. From that time, it is named after the name of its architect: Charles Garnier.
The Opera Garnier is one of the largest Opera House in the World! Its construction took over 15 years and required 73 sculptors and 14 painters. The project of the Palais Garnier was part of the great reconstruction of Paris initiated by Emperor Napoleon III and the Baron Haussmann during the Second Empire.It was opened in 1875 and has been listed as an historical monument in 1923. This luxurious building, dedicated to dance and operas has impressive rooms such as the Grand Foyer and the Grand Escalier. The ceiling of the theatre was painted by Marc Chagall in 1964 and represents famous composers.
Finally, if you look at the façade of the Opera, the huge cupola reminds us of an Emperor’s crown. Napoléon III wanted a monument to his image, as imperial as him!
Do you like honey? You’ll be amused to know that beehives have been installed on the roof of the Opera since 1982! If you want to taste the “Honey from Paris “, the price is 15€ for 4.2oz.
You can visit the Opera every day from 10am to 5pm. Visits can be with or without a guide.
To continue your visit of Paris, we recommend you to follow the boulevard Haussmann. There, you will find the Grands Magasins, Paris famous department stores “Le Printemps” and “les Galeries Lafayette”. In le Printemps, go upstairs and give yourself a gourmet break at the restaurant “Déli-cieux”. You’ll enjoy this moment with a fabulous panorama of Paris!
Find an hotel in Paris:
Best Western Premier Opera Diamond****
Best Western Premier Opera Opal****
The history of the Grand Palais in Paris
Thursday, December 10th, 2009 | About the hotel industry, Paris monuments | No Comments
Located in the 8th district along the Seine, the imposing edifice of the great palace was built for the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the work of Gustave Eiffel, but the result of the synthesis of several projects of French architects, all winners of a competition to choose the best design for future building.
Originally, the monument was intended for major arts events in the capital. The rooms devoted to fine arts flourished steadily, reaching their peak in 1936 with the Popular Front. Rather for a middle class, from fashion, this type of assembly was replaced by lounges with technical and technological issues. The grand palace finally lost its original function in 1947. At the dawn of the 60s, the great palace was gradually abandoned in favor of the defense CNIT or exhibition of the Porte de Versailles, more spacious and modern. › Continue reading
