|
 | Paris Things To Do | Tips 31 - 40 of 9573 |  |
 | |  |  | Notre Dame de Paris: When the Bells Tolls.. | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
The giant bell at the Notre Dames rings six times on Sunday and four times on weekdays and once on Saturday. Why? Well, morning prayers are held on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m, afternoon prayers between 5:45 - 6:10 p.m. on every weekday and various times on Sunday. I caught the Sunday afternoon mass just as it was starting at 5.30pm and it turned out to be a surreal affair complete with wispy smoke from incense, beautiful music from the blue-coated choir members and coloured lights falling from the rose windows. In case you're wondering, the bell is rung electronically and not by a sod with a 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/
|
| | | | Notre Dame de Paris: The Interior of Notre Dame holds many secrets | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The next time you're in the cavenous sanctuary of Notre Dame, look carefully at her side walls. If you're observant enough, you'll notice brown stains at about the knee level. Well, just in case you lick your fingers after touching those stains, I'll like to tell you a little story. Right at the end of the 18th century, during the Revolution, it was vogue to hate the cathedral. Many of the treasures of the grand dame were either destroyed or plundered and the church grounds were used for events other than worship. At first, it was given to a couple of Cults but eventually, it was used as a warehouse for livestock. Does that ring a bell now? Yes, the brown stains you're looking at are 18th century poo stains! The muck got so thick and plentiful at one point in time, it went up to the knee level. Fortunately, all the goo was cleaned up after a certain emperor wanted to crown himself there... Leave a Comment Address: Place du parvis de Notre Dame , 75004 ParisDirections: Metro: Cité RER:Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint Michel-Notre Dame Bus: 21, 24, 27, 38, 47, 85, 96
|
 | |  |
| | | | Musée Jacquemart-André: The best small museum in Paris | Tip Rating: | | | | |
This is the one museum that you must visit on a Monday where most museums are closed. Yup, the Musee Jacquemart-Andre, which was once the residence of a Parisian is open daily all year round! It is a wonderful little treasure trove as it houses a wonderful collection of fine art and objects and a delightful little place to have your afternoon tea. Historically speaking, this handsome residence in Boulevard Haussmann was built in 1869 by a rich and popular chap named Edouard Andre, an officer in the Imperial Guards . They must have paid officers quite handsomely in those days as his paycheck allowed him to collect precious works of art and objects and marry a well-known Parisian painter named Nellie Jacquemart. After they got married, the couple sourced for even more fine tapestries, rugs, furniture, manuscripts, paintings and sculpture to fill the lovely house. Following the couple's death, the collection was bequeathed to the Institut de France with the proviso that this museum be created. Well, thanks to their generousity, we can oogle at the fine works of art today. If you happen to be there, do look for the paintings by Boticelli, Rembrandt and the twisted marble staircase in the winter garden. The staircase is a spiral marvel made of heavy marble, wrought iron and elegant gilding. Definitely a must see, esp since it was built of out revenge by someone who lost out to Garnier in the bid to build the ostentatious opera. Price of Ticket: Full rate (including Audioguide): 8 euros Concessions (students, unwaged, children 7-17): 6 euros Family (2 adults & 2 childrens): 25 euros Childrens (under 7, third child (any age)): free. Leave a Comment Directions: Metro : line 9 Saint-Philippe-du-Roule RER A : Charles-de-Gaulle. Bus : 22, 43, 52, 28, 80, 84, 83, 93, 54.
|
| | |
| | | | Musée du Moyen Age (Middle Ages) - Musée de Cluny: Famous Tapestries. | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The National Museum of the Middle Ages is reputed for its magnificent collection of tapestries. The so called "Mille fleurs" thousand flowers tapestries are typical of the 15th c. and owe their name to the multitude of flowers and blooming branches spread over them. This is a background on which persons and animals are represented. The most sumptuous examples of these "mille fleurs" tapestries are the six "Lady with the Unicorn - Dame à la licorne " tapestries in this museum of the former Cluny Abbey hotel. The name Cluny comes from the famous Abbey de Cluny in Burgundy to which belonged this Parisian abbey residence. "La Dame à la Licorne" is the title of a series of six Flemish (Brussels?) tapestries from around 1490, made of wool and silk, often considered as one of the greatest works of art of the Middle Ages. The cartons were made in Paris. The harmony of the range of colours is exceptional as well as their iconography and the fact that they always remained together. These 6 tapestries of about 3 x 4 m are on display in a special very dark circular room of the museum Five of these tapestries illustrate each of the five senses : taste, hearing, sight, smell and touch. In each there is the Lady with the unicorn, a lion, other animals, a maidservant. The sixth tapestry, wider than the others, shows the lady standing in front of a tent which reads "A Mon Seul Désir - To My Only Desire". There are various interpretations, the meaning of this sixth piece remains mysterious. These six tapestries were discovered in 1841 by the French author Prosper Mérimée in the castle of Boussac. They were probably manufactured for Jean Le Viste, a personage close to King Charles VII. As there is some mystery about this "Dame à la Licorne", books were written about these allegoric tapestries, recently by Tracy Chevalier author of the book "Girl with the pearl earring". There are other beautiful tapestries such as the "Seigniorial Life", the "Grape Harvest", "The Liberal Arts" etc all of Flanders begin 16th c. Address: 6, place Paul PainlevéDirections: Where Boulevard Saint-Michel meets Boulevard Saint-Germain... couldn't be easier. Metro Cluny-Sorbonne (closer) or Saint-Michel (not far at all).Website: www.musee-moyenage.fr
|
| | |
| | | | Place des Vosges: Place des Vosges | Tip Rating: | | | | |
After having had a nice cup of coffee and some croissants as a quick breakfast, we wandered into the quarter called the 'Marais'. Our first stop was the 'Place des Voges', and what a wonderful surprise this was. I hadn't been here before, but it stole my heart right away. The tranquillity of the square combined with the symmetry of the park and the surrounding buildings is a feast for the eyes. The sun had come out, making the red bricks of the houses look more vividly of colour. I am not really surprised that some people call this one of the most beautiful squares in the world, although I don't think this is a 100% true. But it certainly IS a beautiful square and not to be missed during a visit to Paris. In total there are 36 houses, nine on each side, build in red brick, with large symmetric windows and steep roofs with those large chimneys that I like so much. Some says there are 39 houses in total though, hahaha, I guess it all depends what you call a 'house' I haven't even tried counting them, for me the total effect of it all was what took my breathe away. Leave a Comment Address: Place des VosgesDirections: Place des Vosges In the quarter 'Marais' 3rd and 4th Arrondissement Métro stop: Bastille, Chemin Vert or St-PaulWebsite: http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Vosges/
|
| | |
| | | | Place de la Bastille: Colonne de Juillet | Tip Rating: | | | | |
My journey around Paris started off at the Colonne de Juillet, located on the Place de la Bastille. My hotel was located in this area, and this was one of the first views of Paris I got. The long column, almost 52 metres high, with the gold statue on top was towering high above anything else in the area. And like everything in Paris this column has a long history to it. The Colonne de Juillet is located in the middle of the square and is surrounded by a rather busy roundabout. The square and its surroundings are often referred to as the 'Bastille', which is a lively and popular area in Paris, with lots of cafes and bars. But, hahaha, I guess I am getting on a side-track here; back to the column and why it is placed here.... The column dates back to July 28, 1840, and was build in order of King Louis-Philippe (1773 – 1850) who wanted a monument to commemorate both the French revolution of 1789 (also known as the storming of the Bastille) and the "three glorious days" of the July revolt in 1830. The column is located roughly where the medieval Porte Sainte-Antoine once stood. On a sunny day the glistering gold-leafed bronze statue on top will certainly draw your attention. This is the Génie de la Liberté (the Spirit of Freedom) and was designed by sculptor Augustin-Alexandre Dumont. Interested in reading more about the history of the Place the La Bastille and the July revolution? Then these two external links might be something for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution_of_1830 http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Paris/Monuments-Paris/Bastille.shtml#Overview Leave a Comment Address: Place de la BastilleDirections: Place de la Bastille In the quarter 'Marais' 12th Arrondissement Métro stop: Bastille
|
| | |
More Paris Tips Overview
| General Tips
Tips: 2,376 - Photos: 1,921 | Restaurants
Tips: 2,440 - Photos: 1,502 | Hotels and Accommodations
Tips: 1,886 - Photos: 972 | Things To Do
Tips: 9,573 - Photos: 8,704 | Nightlife
Tips: 866 - Photos: 596 | Off the Beaten Path
Tips: 1,640 - Photos: 1,431 | Tourist Traps
Tips: 479 - Photos: 250 | Warnings or Dangers
Tips: 741 - Photos: 307 | Transportation
Tips: 1,501 - Photos: 949 | Local Customs
Tips: 801 - Photos: 527 | Packing Lists
Tips: 273 - Photos: 124 | Shopping
Tips: 764 - Photos: 558 | Sports Travel
Tips: 105 - Photos: 82 | Flights
Tips: 94 - Photos: 58 |
 |
More Sponsored Links for Paris |
|
on October 19, 2004
Paris
on September 20, 2007
on November 3, 2006
