Interesting places in France
PARIS
Paris is one of the most interesting places in France. It is the capital city of France and one of the most popular cities in the world at the same time, visited by large numbers of tourists annually. It is a centre of the most valuable French and global works of culture and art. Paris is a city of countless museums, galleries and historical buildings.
There is no other country in the world which is so much connected wit its river as Paris. The Seine is the main reference point in the city: distances are measured from the river, the river specifies the direction of building numbers and it divides the city into two parts: right bank is in the northern side and the left bank is in the southern side. The city is also divided from the historic point of view: the eastern part is connected with the most ancient times and the western part with the 19th and 20th centuries. Almost all important buildings in Paris are located by the river. Rows of tenements with elegant apartments, magnificent municipal building, world-famous museums and monuments spread along the river bank.
Here is a list of paces of interest in Paris:
Saint-Chapelle Cathedral – considered to be the greatest architectonic achievement of the western world, mainly due to playing lights coming from 15 magnificent altars, which show more than 1,000 biblical scenes.
Notre-Dame Cathedral– built at the place of a Roman temple in the 12th century. Its construction lasted for over 200 years. Currently, it is one of the symbols of not only Paris but also the whole France.
Pompidou Centre– an interesting fact is that the escalators, lifts, air channels and water plummery and even massive steel girders, which are the backbone of the construction, are placed outdoors. It enabled the architects to create spacious and convenient interior for the Musee National de Art Moderne and other institutions. The museum’s collection includes works of art of Matisse, Picasso, Miró and Pollock. Different kinds of happenings, street spectacles watched by crowds of people take place on a square in front of the centre. The Centre has been recently renovated.
Louvre – one of the most important museums of art in the world. The collections are so numerous that it is impossible to see them all during one-day visit in the museum. The museum has a great collection of European painting but also exhibitions of ancient art of the Middle East, Egypt, Greece, Etruria and Rome. The collection of the ornamental art is also vast, it comprises everything from furniture to jewellery. A painting of Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, is the most famous painting among the collection of paintings.
The Arc deTriompe – it is 50-meter high, decorated with numerous low reliefs and dates of victorious battles of France and names of great commanding officers from the Napoleonic period.
The Eiffel Tower – built at the end of the 19th century to celebrate 100-year anniversary of the French Revolution; it is 319- meter high. The terrace at the height of 274 meters has enough space for 400 people.
The Palais Royal – its originator and its indirect creator was the cardinal Richelieu. After his death, it belonged to Anna of Austria and Louis XIV. Since then, the palace is called “the royal” and the building as well as its gardens were together with the Tuileries and Luxembourg palaces, the centre of the manor’s and aristocracy life.
The Palais de Justice – it is a building that belongs to the oldest monuments in Paris. It was a former royal palace. In the 14th century, Philippe le Bel ordered to rebuilt the palace. Towers and the magnificent Gothic halls from this period are still preserved. During the Revolution, a famous Conciergerie prison, where, for example, Marie Antoinette was imprisoned, was housed here. It was burned during the Paris Commune and later rebuilt; currently, it is a seat of the Ministry of Justice.
Pantheon – built on the St. Genevieve hill in the second half of the 18th century. Since the period of the Revolution, it has been a place of burial of famous Frenchmen. In is crypt, there are, for example, tombs of: J. J. Rousseau, Wolter, Hugo and Zola. The Pantheon plays a very important role in the landscape of Paris, because it looms over the city.
Palace de la Bastille –a fortress built in the 14th century, called by Parisians the Bastille, was located here. Since the times of Richelieu cardinal, it was a state prison and a symbol of a king’s despotism. The fortress was conquered by Parisian folk on 14 July 1789 (the date of national holiday in France). One year later, the Bastille was destroyed. The location of its former walls is marked on the street where rue St-Antoine and Bd. Henri IV begin. In the middle of the square, there is The July Column (Colonne de juiljet) built between 1831-40 to commemorate the victims of the July Revolution in 1830.
Versailles – its construction around a former hunting castle of Louis III was begun by Louis XIV in 1668. The most important apartments of the palace are located on the first floor of the main frame. Private apartments of the king and the queen are located around the Marble Courtyard and representative apartments, which were the centre of official life of the manor were located from the garden’s side. Their rich decoration – colorful tapestry, marbles, sculptures, silver items and gilt bronzes were designed by Charles Le Brun. Starting with the hall of Hercules, each hall is dedicated to one of the Greek gods. The most impressive is the Hall of mirrors, where 17 big mirrors reflect the light coming from 17 high windows.
Champs-Elysees – In the past, it was a place of horse rides and walks of representatives of higher spheres of Paris. Currently, the avenue, which was built at the beginning of the 17th century, runs through a park where numerous shops, cafes, restaurants and cinemas are located on the ground floor of houses.
Many popular places in Paris are located outside the center. Montmartre, for example, which has been a seat of artists and writers for a long time, preserved its atmosphere of bohemian world and Montparnasse is full of crowded cafes and theatres. The steep Montmartre Hill preserved a lot from a pre-war climate, which makes it such a charming place. It is also worth to visit a calm and famous Pere Lachaise cemetery, where, for example, Frederic Chopin, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison are buried.
LYON
Next interesting place in France is Lyon. It is a city located in the central part of France, with the population of nearly 1.5 millions. Its history dates back to the times of Roman reign on the territory of France. It is a city, whose dynamic development is a result of foreign trade dominating here for centuries. Currently, it a second trade and financial centre of France after Paris. Lyon is known mostly for its silk, chemical, textile, clothing and engineering industry.
Toulouse – a city in the south-western France, located by the Garonne river, with about 350 thousands inhabitants. It is a center of space and air industry. The seat of the Airbus Industrie concern is located here. Helicopters, planes, rackets and their parts are designed and constructed here. The history of the city dates back to the ancient times. The city was founded by the Romans. Next, it was a capital of the Visgoths country. Toulouse is also known as a pink city due to the brick color of which local buildings are made.
BORDEAUX
A relatively small town in the north-western part of the country, on the Garonne River. Known world-wide for its wines. It is an important economic, scientific (16 academies) and cultural centre of the whole Gironde district. The history of the town dates back to the ancient times when it was an important settlement for Romans and Celts. The most important historical monuments include: the Roman amphitheatre, Medieval churches (particularly St.Seurin Church and the Gothic cathedral St. Andre ). The Musee des Beaux Arts is also worth seeing.
MARSEILLE
A city founded by the Greek people in 6 BC when it became an important commercial
settlement and the harbor at the mouth of the Rodan River. A couple of hundreds
years later, it was annexed to Rome, where it became a town allied with the
Romans. In the 15th century, the city characterized by its Greek look, became
a part of France and regained much autonomy. During the colonial period, the
Marseille became the most important harbor in France. Marseille hasn’t
lost its magnificence even now and is the second-biggest harbor in Europe. Due
to the fact that the 19th century was the greatest period of its development,
the city’s most impressive buildings are not older than 150 years. In
the highest point of the city, the huge Notre - Dame - de - la – Garde
Baslica dominates. This Neo-Byzantine temple is decorated by colorful marbles
and gilding. In front of the entrance, there is a magnificent view over the
city and the old harbor. On the opposite side, impressive domes and towers of
the New Cathedral - Nouvelle Cathldrale, called also Notre - Dame de la Major,
are visible.
There are also a few worth-seeing museums in the city, such as:
The Marseille Historical Museum (Musls d’Historie de Marseille), Centre Bourse – the museum presents interesting exhibits dating back to the Roman times. A unique commercial ship from the beginning of the 3rd century discovered in the harbor in Marseille in 1974 can be seen here.
The Museum of Fashion (Musle de la Mode), 11 La CanebiRre – presents trends of the French fashion, focusing on the second half of the 20th century. The museum displays over 2,000 different designs.
The Santon Museum (Musle du Santon), 47 Rue Nueve Sainte – Catherine – displays interesting collections of small Provencal religious figures called santon. There is also a studio where the figures are produced.
The Clzara Museum (Musle Clsar), Place du Mazeau – presents works of art of a famous modern sculptor, born in 1921 in Marseille, Clsar Baldaccini, who is the author of a French film award- the Cesar.
STRASBOURG
The capital city of Alsace with many, still visible influences of Germany resulting from its history. Lost war of France against Prussia in 1870, resulted in the annexation of a city to Germany. When Germany lost the First World War, the city became a part of France again. Its location between the greatest European powers had also advantages. The city became a seat of the European Parliament. Currently, the city is the biggest metropolis of the north-eastern France. Te most impressive building of the city is the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral made of pink sandstone. Its additional attraction are the stained-glass windows dating back to 12th- 14th centuries, a rose-window under the western portal and the organ front from the 14th century located in the northern side. The astronomical clock from the 16th century located in the middle of the southern entrance is also worth attention. The important part of the cathedral is also a 76-meter high tower with open-work Gothic spire and a view platform. In the cathedral, sound and light shows take place. Moreover, the landscape of La Petite France district is very picturesque. The district has many narrow alleys, channels and water gates with beautiful well-maintained houses made of Prussia marble standing along them. Also, the Barrage Vauban – a tollgate built to protect the city from the attacks from the river side, reflects the beauty of this place. Interesting museums located in Strasbourg include:
The Historical Museum (Musée Historique), 3 pl. de la Grande Boucherie - is dedicated to the history of the city.
The Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts), 2 pl. du Château – displays works of art of French, Spanish, Italian, Duch and Flemish artists.
The Cathedral Museum (Musée de l'Oéuvre Notre Dame), 3 pl. du Château – displays magnificent Roman, Gothic and Renaissance sculptures (made of stone and wood).
The Alsatian Museum (Musée Alsacien), 23 Quai Saint Nicolas – is located in three houses dating back to the 16th and the 17th century and is dedicated to the aspects of Alsatian daily life from many centuries.
The Museum of Modern Art (Musée d'Art Moderne), 5 pl. du Cháteau – displays an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures from Impressionism up to now and includes works of art of Monet, Manet, Chagall, Klimt and many other famous artists.
LOIRE VALLEY
It is a huge region located in the centre of the country. This middle-class paradise is known for its picturesque cities, breathtaking views, delicious food, excellent wine and mainly castles, which are the remnants of past kingdom period. Tours is considered to be a tourist capital city of the region because of its location and delicious cuisine.
Anders enjoys the second place, but there are also other cities with more historical buildings, such as: Amboise, Blois, Saumur and Beaugency which are located along the river. The Loire Valley, in its traditional meaning, is connected with impressive castles like exceptionally picturesque Château Azay-le-Rideau and the Villandry castle surrounded by beautiful gardens. In its northern part, there are cities such as Le Mans and Chartres with Medieval cathedrals, surrounded by Gallo-Roman wall
Nantes, located in the western part of the region, is a harbor and a gate to
the Atlantic Ocean. South from Nantes, on a wild and sandy shore, there is Wandea.
It is a perfect place both for nature and for surfing lovers. Further from the
shore, there are smaller tributaries of the Loire and the Sologne pools. Many
attractions such as troglodyte caves, dreamy villages and small Roman churches
are waiting for tourists. Hospitable taverns offer fish dishes, many vegetables
and exquisite wines.