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 | Paris Things To Do | Tips 21 - 30 of 9573 |  |
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I’d wanted to visit this museum for years, since a friend gave it a high recommendation, but unfortunately it was closed for renovations when I previously visited Paris. This time it was open and, I’m glad to say, it was worth the wait. The Museum was established in 1794, following the Revolution, to hold the scientific collections of the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, in the former priory of Ste-Martin-des-Champs. The original abbey on the site dated from about 1059, though the current church nave is from the 13th century and about 100 early sarcophagi were found under the floor during the recent renovations. The Museum also occupies later building additions alongside. If you have even a slight interest in technology, this museum should be one of your main destinations in Paris, though curiously it did not appear in my guide book! The 3000 exhibits cover a tremendously wide range of developments in scientific instruments, materials, construction, communication, mechanics, energy and transport. Here you will find exhibits ranging from the original ‘standard metre’; a model of Thomas Savery's 1698 steam pump for mines, the first engine ever made (photo 2); experimental electrical gadgets from the mid-1800s (photo 3); and a brass 1642 '6 figure calculating machine' by Blaise Pascal (photo 4) – surely the equivalent in its time to the 1985 ‘Cray 2’ computer also on display here (later tip), a ‘Telstar’ satellite and a V10 Formula 1 engine. The former abbey displays a Foucault Pendulum (later tip), not far from a Blériot aeroplane and various early vehicles. Address: 60 rue Réamur, 75003.Phone: Ph 01 53 01 82 00Directions: The Museum is between the Métro stations ‘Arts-et-Metiers’ (lines 3, 11) and ‘Réamur-Sebastapol’ (lines 3,4). The first is the more convenient to the entrance.Website: www.arts-et-metiers.net
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| | | | Orangerie: The Orangerie has reopened ! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
For some years, the Orangerie has been closed for extensive renovations. I was fortunate that it reopened only about a week before my visit. You don’t know of the Orangerie? It was built in 1852 as a shelter for the orange trees in the Tuilleries Gardens. Because of its location, no ‘common’ garden shed would suffice, so it was built in stone to match the Tuilleries Palace (now gone). After a variety of uses, it was turned into a fine arts museum in 1921. Most famously it houses Monet’s giant “Nymphéas” (Waterlilies) paintings, but also paintings by Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, Renoir and others of the post-Impressionist era. When you visit, be prepared for an absolute visual banquet. The signage is in French, however it is possible to hire audioguides in about seven languages at the door. Address: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 ParisPhone: 01 44 77 80 07Directions: End of Tuileries gardens, adjacent to Seine end of Place de la Concorde. Hours (for individuals) 1230-1900, to 2100 Friday (closed 1 May and 25 December).Website: www.musee-orangerie.fr Other Contact: Metro 1,8,12 Concorde.
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| | | | Centre Georges Pompidou: Atelier Brancusi in Centre Pompidou | Tip Rating: | | | | |
I must admit that I felt at the same time proud and impressed to finding near Centre Pompidou, Brancusi's Studio (L'Atelier Brancusi). Constantin Brancusi, the best sculptor of the XX century and the pioneer of abstraction, was born in Romania in 1876 and came to Paris in 1904. Until his death, in 1957, he produced in his studio located in Montparnasse his most important sculptures appreciated for the elegance and the specific use of materials. In the 1930s Brancusi worked to an ambitious public sculpture projects, the installation in Tirgu Jiu, Romania, of the Gate of the Kiss, Table of Silence and a 100-foot tall cast iron version of Endless Column. One year before his death, Brancusi left the contents of his studio to the French State on condition that the studio be installed in the museum, as initially was. Address: Place Beaubourg, 75004Directions: Metro: Rambuteau; RER: Chatelet-Les Halles
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I probably would have walked through "Jardin des Tuileries" towards the "Place de la Concorde" in a normal case and avoided busy streets like the Rue de Rivoli. But... I just HAD to go to a famous 'Salon de Thé' here called 'Angelina', world famous for its hot chocolate. And it was absolutely worth the mini detour!! But more about Angelina and its delicious chocolate on my restaurant tips: Let me continue to tell you a bit about his famous road. The Rue de Rivoli is not just 'a road', but probably one of the most famous roads in Paris. Its total length is quite impressive with 3060 metres. The street bears the name of one of Napoleon's early victories: the battle of Rivoli from 1797. Along the street you can see shops among some of the most fashionable in the world. The little part along de "Jardin des Tuileries" was certainly not some of the cheapest! But it was fun to do a bit of window shopping here, hahaha, even for a non-shopping fan like me ;-) Leave a Comment Address: Rue de RivoliWebsite: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rue_de_Rivoli%2C_Paris
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| | | | Eiffel Tower: Eiffel Tower | Tip Rating: | | | | |
What can I say about this 324 m (1070 ft) high structure that hasn't been said before? Not much I guess, as everyone knows the Eiffel Tower. This world famous landmark was built in 1889 and was named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel. It is now one of the worlds biggest tourist traps, but it still keeps in drawing the crowds, around 6,5 million people yearly. An amazing number;, which makes it all more the logical that the queues to go up the tower are so very long. And yes, I've been one of those people as well! On my first visit to Paris I just HAD to go up the tower. And I really enjoyed it! But that was probably mostly due to the fact of the idea it was the "Eiffel Tower" I went up, not especially because of the views from here. This second time I gladly skipped the long wait in line, and pleased myself by just looking at it from the front, the side and below. The structure still amazes me, so it was fun to be here a second time around. But I don't think I will ever go up there again. The queue on this bright sunny day was endless, 45 minutes a sign above the cash register said. I guess visiting Paris and especially the Eiffel Tower requires a bit of patience! ;-) While you stand and wait here in line, or just stare up at this enormous structure, do watch out of pickpocketers and scammers. An area like this, filled with tourists, is a gold-mine and dream come true for those who want to earn a buck or two from tourists. The police do seem to keep control over the area, as they were chasing a couple of scammers on bicycle when we were there. Leave a Comment Address: Champ de MarsPhone: 33 (0) 1 44 11 23 23Directions: Across the Seine from the Palais Chaillot Metro stop: Trocadéro, Bir-Hakeim RER: Ligne C: Champ de Mars Tour EiffelWebsite: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/
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| | | | Champ de Mars and Ecole Militaire | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Champ de Mars is the large open garden (appreciated by tourists for picnics), stretching towards Eiffel tower and closed by Ecole Militaire at the other end. In the 18th century, the place was bought by the government to create a military academy large enough to receive the 10 000 men of the King's house. The "Ecole Militaire" was inaugurated in July 1769 by Louis XV. The arena in front, well adapted for demonstrations saw, in August 1783, the first balloon flight (by the brothers Montgolfier). The Ecole Militaire's most famous pupil is probably Napoleon Bonaparte(and he had, as theacher there, the agronomist Parmentier (who made the culture of potatoes known in France)). In 1787,the academy was closed by the king's council due to growing political unrests (revolution had begun). The Champ de Mars earned its place in french history on July 14 1790 (exactly 1 year after the Bastille's capture), when the "Fete de la Federation" was organized to mark the adhesion of the french people to the 1st national constitution. The allegiance to this constitution was sworn by the representatives of the provinces, king Louis XVI and queen Marie Antoinette (the marquis de La Fayette, swore adhesion in the name of national guard). The French National Day was born (July 14 comemorates the Fete de la Constitution, only English speakers call it 'Bastille day'). During the restauration, the returning royal family had too bad memories about it and all celebrations there were stopped. At the end of the 19th century, various World Fairs (1878, 1889, 1900, 1937) occupied the ground, and the tour Eiffel was added to the parisian landscape. For a nice stroll, you can : Start from the Palais de Chaillot, continue through the Trocadero gardens, cross the pont d'Iena, reach the tour Eiffel and finnish in front the Ecole Militaire (wich you can visit, especially the chappel). Of course you can do it in the opposite direction (but that would be going uphill). Leave a Comment Address: Metro: Ecole Militaire, R.E.R. Champ-de-MarsDirections: In front of the tour Eiffel, opposite to the Trocadero gardens (across the Seine)Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%AAte_de_la_F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration
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| | | | Notre Dame de Paris: Of Hunchbacks and Love.. | Tip Rating: | | | | |
"Each face, each stone of this venerable monument is not only a page of the history of the country, but also of the history of knowledge and art.... Time is the architect, the people are the builder." — Victor Hugo, Notre-Dame de Paris Even if you do not know who the hell Victor Hugo is, you would have heard the tale about the Hunchback in Notre Dame? Well, that tale is not just fluff written by Disney, it was a well-intentioned yarn written by Hugo during the 19th century to raise awareness and romanticise about the Cathedral which had fallen into a state of disrepair. At this time, many of the cathedral's treasures had been pillaged, her beautiful stained glass broken and her walls still covered with poo stains.. Well, Hugo's tale worked and repairs started. Of course, up till this day, there are poor sods who believe that the electronic bells are rung by a weight-challenged hunchback.. Leave a Comment Address: 6, place du Parvis Notre Dame, Ile de la CitéDirections: Métro: Cité or St-Michel. RER: Châtelet-Les-Halles or St-Michel. Buses: 21, 24, 27, 38, 47, 85, 96Website: http://www.cathedraledeparis.com/
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| | | | Conciergerie: Architecture : La Conciergerie, | Tip Rating: | | | | |
At first your first glance, the soaring celings and halls of La Conciergerie looks pretty serene, right? But behind the facade lies an eerie history . During the French Revolution, more than 2, 700 people spent their last moments here after they were sentenced to death... Among its more famous prisoners were the queen Marie Antoinette, Charlotte Corday ( an innocent looking chick with a killer instinct)Danton, and the poet Chenier. Marie Antoinette's cell is now a chapel , and it includes her crucifix, and two portraits of her from life. Other than eerie past, there is not much else to see in this empty building unless you really dig architecture and history... Architectural/Historical Tip: This fortress-like building on the Ile-de-la-Cité makes up much of the Palais de Justice complex. It was built by Philippe the Fair (1284-1314) and was once the residence of the King's steward, hence the name Conciergerie. Come to this place to oogle at the beautiful archiectural features, in particular the Salle des Gardes - the room of the guards with elegant vaulting - the colonnaded Salle des Gens d'Armes - 69m long and 27m wide now sometimes used for concerts - and the Cuisines with its four large fireplaces, each large enough to roast an entire ox. Leave a Comment Address: 1, quai de l'Horloge , 75001 ParisDirections: Metro: Cité RER:Saint Michel-Notre Dame, Châtelet-Les Halles Bus: 38
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on September 24, 2006
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