Travel to Paris docx

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Paris
© 2010 Stig Albeck & Ventus Publishing ApS
Translation: Carina Nimann Nielsen
All rights and copyright relating to the content of this
book are the property of Ventus Publishing ApS, and/or its
suppliers. Content from ths book, may not be reproduced
in any shape or form without prior written permission from
Ventus Publishing ApS.
Quoting this book is allowed when clear references are made,
in relation to reviews are allowed.
ISBN 978-87-7061-414-6
2nd edition
Pictures and illustrations in this book are reproduced according
to agreement with the following copyright owners
Stig Albeck.
The stated prices and opening hours are indicative and may
have be subject to change after this book was published.
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A Visit to Paris
www.paris-touristoffice.com
www.franceguide.com

Paris is the city of cities, the place where romance
rules and evokes memories or dreams in everyone.
And there is really something to get on to.

Paris is one of the largest cities in Europe and the
impressive dimensions can be experienced
everywhere: In the Eiffel Tower, the large squares,
the wide boulevards, the art collection of the Louvre,
and last but not least, the fabulous Versailles where
the Sun Kings lived their carefree lives during the
time that lead up to the French Revolution.

Paris has something to offer to everyone. There are
first rate sights, fashion houses, parks, cafés and
areas with an atmosphere of their own such as the
Latin Quarter and Montmartre. The Parisians
themselves and the special atmosphere in the city all
adds up to an abundance of potential experiences.

If you want to go outside the city centre, it only
takes a short while before you can stroll through the
park of Versailles, test yourself against the strong
Gauls in Parc Asterix or go on a tour of the Walt
Disney universe.

Have a nice trip!

A Visit to Paris
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Historical outline

During the centuries around the birth of Christ, the
Celtic tribe Parisii settled on the Île de la Cité in the
middle of the Seine, which is also part of the city
centre today.

The settlement was abandoned after being defeated
by Roman troops under Caesar. Later, the Romans
founded the city Lutetia in the same place.

Lutetia ceased to exist as a Roman city with the fall
of the Roman Empire. In 360, the name of the city
was changed to Paris after the previous Celtic
inhabitants, and with the entry of the Franks in the
5th century, the Roman period ended. In 508, the
Christian King of the Franks, Clovis I, made Paris
the capital of his new kingdom. The importance of
the city was reduced again during the 8th century,
however, when Aachen became the new capital.

Throughout the 9th century, Danish Vikings

besieged the city on several occasions. Fighting and
looting took place but more often than not, the
Vikings settled for a ransom to spare the city.

In 987, Paris became the capital of the kingdom
once again and the importance of the city increased.
It became the beginning of a flourishing
development and saw the construction of a number
of buildings that still stand today.

In 1163, the construction of the Notre Dame
Cathedral was begun. Les Halles from 1167, the first
construction of the Louvre, the Sainte Chapelle from
1248 and the Sorbonne from 1253 are other
examples of the great progress that took place in
Paris. Large areas on the northern bank of the Seine
were drained and developed.
In the 13th century, there were about 100,000
inhabitants in Paris and it was during these years
that France became a great power. Paris was a
leading city financially and culturally and it was also
during this time that the parliament was founded.

The Hundred Years War between England and
France began in 1337. The defeat in 1415 meant an
English advance and Paris was occupied in 1420.

In 1429, Joan of Arc went to Paris and incited the
troops to renewed resistance against England. Joan
of Arc was wounded and captured by the English,

who burned her at the stake. After the French
victory at Orléans and the following battles, the
English were driven out of Paris in 1437 and in
1453 out of France entirely.

Throughout the Renaissance from the last half of
the 15th century, Paris underwent significant
development. Again, many great buildings were
erected. In 1528, the construction of the Louvre
Palace was begun by Francois I. Later kings have
had greater influence on the buildings, however.

In 1572, armed conflict broke out between the
Protestant Huguenots and Catholic groups. Severe
fighting in connection with the wedding of Henry
of Navarre resulted in a massacre of the Huguenots.
During the following years, the city was besieged by
Catholics. In 1594, Henry of Navarre became a
Catholic and king in Paris.

At the beginning of the 17th century, construction
was once again the order of the day and among
other things, the Pont-Neuf was built as the first
bridge across the Seine.

After the Sun King Louis the XIV acceded the
throne in 1643, the building activities escalated.
The culmination was the glorious palace Versailles,
which was constructed from 1676.

Historical outline
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The development continued steadily throughout the
18th century under the absolute power of the Sun
Kings, and the tensions in society triggered the
French Revolution on 14th July 1789 with the
storming of the Bastille. The rebellion against the
royal power became final in 1792 when the 1st
French Republic was proclaimed.

In 1795, a royalist insurrection was suppressed by
Napoleon, who became emperor of France in 1804
at a ceremony in Notre Dame. He was forced to
abdicate in 1814 only to return in 1815. He was
forced from power again that same year and exiled
to the island of Saint Helena. Today, the Arc de
Triomphe stands in Paris as a monument that was
begun during Napoleon’s heyday.

During the 19th century, the old parts of the city
were heavily modernised. The renovation entailed
large, new, fashionable housing areas, and the
famous wide boulevards of Paris were built. The
Paris Commune was established in 1871.

In 1889, Paris hosted the World Exhibition, whose
landmark was the Eiffel Tower. The Metro of Paris
was opened in 1900 and in the same year the city
hosted the Olympic Games. This was during the
prosperous Belle Époque, which is known for its
art nouveau.

From 1940-1944, Paris was occupied by Germany,
but because of the lack of industry, the city was
spared from bombings

In later years, France has established great, new
cultural institutions such as the Centre Pompidou
and building projects such as the modern quarter La
Défense. Paris is – as always – undergoing
development.

Historical outline
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Tour 1. Paris

1. Île de la Cité

Île de la Cité
Metro: Cité
The island Île de la Cité is where Paris was founded. It

is one of two islands in the Seine in the heart of the
French capital (the other one is Île Saint Louis). When
the city was founded, the Celtic people Parisii lived on
the island, which for a while was Roman before the
construction of the present, famous French buildings
were begun – Notre Dame being the first.

2. Notre Dame

Place du parvis de Notre Dame
www.notredamedeparis.fr
Metro: Cité
Notre Dame is the impressive Gothic cathedral of
Paris built from 1163-1330. Notre Dame is a
significant cultural treasure and it is possible to
spend hours here.
Over the years, many events have taken place in
Notre Dame: Napoleon was crowned emperor here
on 1 December 1804 for instance. Today, Notre
Dame is a Catholic cathedral and the seat of the
Archbishop of Paris.

The facade facing west is divided into five levels, a
tradition transferred from certain Romanesque
churches. From below, you can see the three
entrance portals, the Gallery of Kings (the row of
statues), the level with the rose window, the Gallery
of Chimeras and finally the two towers.

There are three large rose windows in the Notre

Dame, one in the facade facing west and one in the
facades facing south and north respectively. The
windows have been constructed during the 12th
and 13th century and the windows facing west and
north are still relatively original. The church room
itself, from where it is possible to look at the rose
windows and many other interesting details, is 34
meters high.

It is possible to take an exciting trip to the top of
the 69 meters high towers. There is a good view of
the roofs of Paris from here and the famous
chimera monsters are found here. In the south
tower, you can see the bell Emmanuel, which
weighs 13,000 kilos.

In the square right in front of Notre Dame the zero
plate, Point Zéro, is found, from which distances
from Paris are measured.

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3. Crypte Archéologique

Place du parvis de Notre Dame
Metro: Cité

On the square opposite the Notre Dame, you will
find the entrance to the Roman ruins of the early
history of Paris. There are also sketches and models
of Paris from the time when the city was called
Lutetia by the Romans.

4. Conciergerie
Quai de l’Horloge 1

Metro: Cité
The Conciergerie building was originally part of the
residential palace of the French kings before the
royal court was moved across the Seine to the
Louvre in 1358. One of the special purposes of the
Conciergerie was to house the Royal Ministry of
Finance and Taxation. From 1391, the building was
converted into a prison, something that has
happened to the Conciergerie many times through
history. A number of prominent prisoners have
occupied the cells of the building, including the
French Queen Marie Antoinette.

The present buildings are not the original ones
from the time of the French kings. Three preserved
towers from the Middle Ages can be seen, however:
The Caesar Tower, the Silver Tower and the
Bonbec Tower. The general impression that you get
today comes from the latest major renovation,
which took place in 1858.

In 1914, the prison was closed and instead the
Conciergerie reopened as a national monument.
There is access to part of the buildings that are also
used by the Court of Justice of Paris. The most
impressive sight when touring the buildings is the
hall Salle des Gens d’Armes where the Royal Guard
lived. The Hall dates back to the 14th century and is
65 metres long and 27.5 metres wide.

5. Palais de Justice

Boulevard du Palais
www.ca-paris.justice.fr/cour
Metro: Cité
Palais de Justice is a large complex of buildings that
houses various courts of justice. The area is more
than 4 hectares and there are 24 kilometres of
corridors, 7,000 doors and 3,150 windows in the
buildings.

The buildings were originally part of the royal
residence, which were built under King Louis IX.
Most of the present court buildings are from the
18th century, however.

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6. Sainte Chapelle

Boulevard du Paris 4

Metro: Cité
Sainte Chapelle was constructed from 1246 to 1248
as a chapel in the newly built residential buildings.
King Louis IX bought relics of Christ from the
emperor in Constantinople. Among the relics were
the crown of thorns of Christ and a piece of the
cross from the crucifixion of Christ.

In the church, there is a lower chapel, which
functioned as an ordinary church for the staff of the
residential palace, and the grandiose upper chapel,
which was the king’s private chapel.

A visit to Sainte Chapelle is a fantastic experience,
not least because of the many stained glass windows,
which depict the story of the Bible in more than
1,100 images. The windows are considered among
the finest in the world and the majority of them are
original.

Tour 1. Paris
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7. Pont-neuf

Pont-neuf
Metro: Pont-neuf
The Pont-neuf bridge is the oldest bridge across the
Seine in Paris. It was built from 1578 to 1607. The
Pont-neuf connects the banks of the Seine via Île de
la Cité. The bridge is 278 metres long and 28 metres

wide.

At the Pont-neuf Bridge on Île de la Cité, a statue of
Henri V on horseback can be seen. It was originally
set up in 1614 but destroyed in 1792 during the
French Revolution. In 1818, it was recreated from
the original casts and the metal from two statues of
Napoleon.

8. Musée de la Monnaie

Quai de Conti 11
www.monnaiedeparis.com
Metro: Odéon
The Musée de la Monnaie is the former mint of
Paris, erected 1767-1775. Coins were struck here
until 1973, but now it is a museum.

9. Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Place St-Germain-des-Prés
www.eglise-sgp.org
Metro: St-Germain-des-Prés
The St-Germain-des-Prés Church is the oldest in
Paris. It dates back to 542. The main part of the
present exterior was built in the 11th century,
however, but there are still elements of the original
building. The bell tower was constructed from 990
to 1014 and it is the oldest preserved bell tower in
France.

The church was built as a Benedictine abbey church
and it was a burial place for the Merovingian kings.
A fire destroyed the other buildings in the abbey
complex in 1794.

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Tour 1. Paris
10. Cour de Rohan
Rue de Jardinet
Metro: Odéon
The name Cour de Rohan covers three preserved
courtyards from medieval Paris. It is a small oasis in
the city and a unique opportunity for a meeting with
the French capital of the 15th century.

11. Église Saint-Sulpice

Place Saint-Sulpice
www.paroisse-saint-sulpice-paris.org
Metro: Saint-Sulpice
The St-Sulpice Church is the second biggest in Paris
(surpassed only by the Notre Dame). It is 113 metres
long, 58 metres wide and 34 metres high. A
Romanesque church building used to stand here but

it was demolished to make room for the St-Sulpice,
which was built from 1646 to 1780.

The church offers the biggest organ in France with
no less than 15,836 organ pipes. It is also possible to
see the original Parisian meridian line, which consists
of an 11 metres tall obelisk with the actual meridian
line in front of it.
12. Palais de Luxembourg

Rue de Vaugirard 19
www.museeduluxembourg.fr
www.senat.fr
Metro: Saint-Sulpice, Odéon
The big palacial mansion, the Palais de Luxembourg
was originally built for Maria de Medici, who was
the mother of King Louis XIII and Henri VII’s
widow. It was built at the beginning of the 17th
century but changed considerably on several
occasions throughout the 19th century.

The Palais de Luxembourg was Napoleon’s first
residence in Paris and from 1940 to 1944, it was the
headquarters of the Luftwaffe. Today, the building
houses the French Senate.

Behind the Palais, the beautiful Luxembourg
Gardens are situated with their great fountains. In
the complex, the museum Musée de Luxembourg
has been set up and here it is possible to see various

art exhibitions.


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Tour 1. Paris
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Tour 2. Paris

13. Panthéon

Place du Panthéon

Metro: Cardinal Lemoine
The Paris Panthéon was completed in 1790. It was
originally built as a church for Saint Geneviève, who
is patron saint of Paris. The name Panthéon is Greek
and means the temple for all the gods.

King Louis XV began the construction work. In
1744, he promised himself he would erect a great
church here if he got over his severe illness. The
king got well and the building of the church was
begun in 1758.

Apart from the interesting and beautiful interior of
the church, the Panthéon houses a number of
sepulchral monuments for known Frenchmen,
including Emile Zola, Victor Hugo and Voltaire.

14. Arènes de Lutèce

Rue Monge 47
Metro: Cardinal Lemoine
This Roman arena was built in Lutetia and it seated
15,000 spectators. It was erected in the 2nd century
and the remains were found during excavations in
1869. It is one of the only major, preserved
buildings in Paris from the time of the Romans.

During the invasion of the Barbarians around 280,

some of the stones of the arena were taken and
used to build ramparts on Île de la Cité. The arena
was later turned into a cemetery and in the 13th
century, the place was filled up with soil. Today, the
arena is part of a public park.

15. Val-de-Grâce

Place A. Laveran
Metro: Gobelins
After 23 years of childless marriage, King Louis
XIII and Queen Anne had a baby, who later
became King Louis XIV. In joy and gratitude to the
Virgin Mary, Anne had the Val-de-Grâce erected.
The boy, the coming Louis XIV, laid the
cornerstone for the church in 1645 when he was 7
years old. The church was completed in 1667.

The Val-de-Grâce with its beautiful dome of gilded
lead is considered one of the most brilliant Baroque
buildings in Paris. In connection with the Val-de-
Grâce, there was a Benedictine convent where
many sick and wounded people were treated during
the Revolution. After the Revolution, a real hospital
was set up in the convent buildings.
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16. Observatoire de Paris

Avenue de l’Observatoire
www.obspm.fr
Metro: Denfert-Rochereau
The idea of the Paris Observatory came from King
Louis XIV´s minister of finance, Jean-Baptiste
Colbert, who wanted to strengthen the maritime
power and international trade of France, something
that called for navigational skills.

The construction work was begun in 1667 and in
1672, the Observatory was completed. Already
during the first year, the solar system was measured;
later the speed of light was measured and the planet
Neptune was discovered from here in 1846.

The Observatory is placed on and is the basis of the
Parisian Meridian, which was acknowledged in
France until 1911. The meridian itself can be seen on
the floor in the Meridian Room.

17. Tour Montparnasse

Rue de l’Arrivée
www.tour-montparnasse.com
Metro: Montparnasse-Bienvenue
Tour Montparnasse is a modern skyscraper and was
built as the tallest in France in the period from 1969

to 1973. It is 210 metres tall and among the tallest
office buildings in Europe. On the 56th floor there is
a restaurant and on the 58th floor an observation
deck. Both places offer one of the best views in Paris.

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Tour 2. Paris
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Tour 3. Paris

18. Dôme/the Invalides

Esplanade des Invalides
www.invalides.org
Metro: Varenne
The Dôme church is among the best examples of
French Baroque architecture from the 17th century.
Louis XIV erected the Dôme to house the sepulchral
monuments of the French Sun Kings but this never
came to be, as it was not completed until 1735,
approximately 20 years after the death of Louis XIV.

Today, the church is mostly known for housing the
tomb of Napoleon, which was constructed centrally
in an open crypt below the big dome decorated with
the paintings of la Fosses from 1692 depicting the
glory of Paradise. Besides the tomb of Napoleon, it
is possible to see the tombs of other prominent
Frenchmen, including Napoleon II and Ferdinand
Foch, who was a French field marshal during the
First World War.

19. Hôtel des Invalides

Esplanade des Invalides
www.invalides.org
Metro: Varenne
Louis XIV built the colossal military hospital in the
period from 1671 to 1676. The buildings were both
for the treatment of wounded French soldiers and
set up as a home to war veterans. The facade is
almost 200 metres wide and the buildings contain

no less than 15 inner courtyards.

There is another church in the complex apart from
the Dôme, namely the Saint-Louis-des-Invalides,
popularly called the Soldiers’ Church. The church
was consecrated in 1708.

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20. Champ de Mars

Champ de Mars
Metro: École Militaire
The Champ de Mars are the large lawns where the
cadets of the Military Academy used to be paraded.
The Academy, Ècole Militaire, lies to the south and
the Eiffel Tower is to the north west.

The Champ de Mars was also the scene of many of
the historic ascents by balloon, including the first of
its kind in 1783. The lawns also housed part of the
World Exhibition in 1889.

21. Tour Eiffel

Champ de Mars

www.tour-eiffel.fr
Metro: Bir Hakeim
Gustave Eiffel’s world famous Eiffel Tower was
constructed for the World Exhibition in 1889 as a
temporary monument to French engineering. Fate
decided otherwise, however, and the Tower stayed.
Today, it is one of the most famous buildings in the
world.

The Tower is 319 metres tall and it was the tallest
building in the world until 1931 when the Empire
State Building in New York took over this status.

The first level on the way to the top is at a height of
57 metres and here there is a description of the
history of the Tower. The second level is at a height
of 115 metres, while the top is 274 metres above
Paris. Going up by elevator is an experience in itself
and here you can see Gustave Eiffel’s flat.

Opposite the Tower on the other side of the Seine,
the Palais de Chaillot is situated. It was built in
Neoclassical style for the World Exhibition in 1937.
There are many museums here, always a lively street
life and a fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower.

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Tour 4. Paris

22. Place de la Bastille

Place de la Bastille
Metro: Bastille
It was here the French Revolution began on 14 July
1789 with the storming of the Bastille – the fortified
prison of the French Kings. The prison was
demolished in 1789-1790.

Centrally placed in the square is the July Column,
Colonne de Juillet, a memorial to the July Revolution
in 1830. The big, modern glass building on the Place
de la Bastille is the new Opera of Paris, which was
inaugurated in 1989. Until 1984, the Bastille Train
Station was situated where the Opera is now.

23. Place des Vosges

Place des Vosges
Metro: Bastille
The Place des Vosges was laid out in Renaissance
style at the beginning of the 17th century inspired
by Italian architecture. It was originally called the
Place Royale and considered one of the finest
squares in the world with its splendid buildings in
perfect geometry. The dimensions of the Square are

140x140 metres.

The Place des Vosges has a friendly atmosphere
with its elegant park. Centrally placed in the park
there is a statue of King Louis XIII on horseback.
It was erected for the first time in the 17th century
but was melted down during the Revolution. The
present statue is from 1818.

24. Maison de Victor Hugo

Place des Vosges 6
www.musee-hugo.paris.fr
Metro: Bastille
Victor Hugo wrote, among other things, most of
Les Miserables during his stay in the house in Place
des Vosges in 1832-1848. Apart from the story of
the author and his writings, it is possible to see the
furnishing of his time.

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25. Musée Carnavalet

Rue de Sévigné 23
www.carnavalet.paris.fr

Metro: St-Paul
The Musée Carnavalet is the city museum of Paris.
The size of the museum is considerable and it is set
up in two historic mansion buildings. The main
building is the Hotel Carnavalet, which was built in
1548, and since 1989, the Hôtel le Peletier from the
17th century has also functioned as a museum
building.

In the museum, the history of Paris is described and
there are entire halls and rooms set up as they would
have been in earlier times. In the courtyard, there is
one of the few surviving statues of Louis XIV.

26. Musée Picasso

Rue de Thorigny 5
www.musee-picasso.fr
Metro: St-Sebastian
The building Hôtel Sâle from 1656-1659 houses
one of the greatest collections of Picasso’s work.
Picasso’s artistic life all the way from his blue
period can be seen in the many paintings, drawings
and collages.

27. Centre Pompidou

Place Beaubourg
www.cnac-gp.fr
Metro: Rambuteau

The Pompidou Centre, which is also called the
Beaubourg Centre, was opened in 1977 as the new
community centre of Paris. It is named after
Georges Pompidou, who was the President of
France from 1969 to 1974. The house itself is very
characteristic with the exposed pipes on the outside
of the building. The colours of the pipes indicate
their function: The blue pipes are ventilation pipes,
the green ones are water pipes and the yellow pipes
are electric cables. Elevators and escalators for the
convenience of the visitors are red.

In the Pompidou Centre, you will find the National
Museum of Modern Art, Musée National d’Art
Moderne, which holds art from 1914 until today.
Among the more than 50,000 objects of art, you
can see works of for instance Miró, Matisse and
Kandinsky.

Three floors of the Pompidou Centre have been set
up as a public library, Bibliothèque publique
d’information, and on top of the building, there is a
platform with a great view of Paris

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28. Place Igor Stravinski

Place Igor Stravinski
Metro: Rambuteau
In the Stravinski square just south of the Pompidou
Centre, you will find the colourful and charming
modern fountains, which elegantly represents the
works of Stravinski.

29. Hôtel de Ville

Place de l’Hôtel de Ville
www.paris.fr
Metro: Hôtel de Ville
The town hall of Paris was erected in 1882 after a
model of the town hall from the 17th century,
which was burned down during the Communard
insurrection in 1872. It is possible to take a tour of
the town hall and its beautiful interior.

Tour 4. Paris
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Over the years, the square in front of the building
has seen many of the executions in the city;
executions, which in some cases meant being drawn
and quartered. The square has housed the town halls
of the city since 1357.

30. Forum des Halles

Porte Berger 101
www.forumdeshalles.com
Metro: Les Halles
Forum des Halles is one of the modern shopping
centres of Paris. It was built in 1979 in the place
where the old market of the city was until it was
demolished in 1971. The choice of architecture was
disputed but the arrangement of the centre differs
from ordinary centres as the shops are placed
underground with a large, central opening towards
the sky. Among other things, you can see fountains
and mosaic work.

31. Bourse du Commerce

Rue Viarmes 2
Metro: Les Halles
The Bourse du Commerce is the old grain exchange
of Paris. It was originally erected in the 18th century
and rebuilt in 1889. This peculiar, round building
houses, among other things, the Chamber of

Commerce of Paris and it is well worth a visit.

32. Palais Royal

Place du Palais Royal

www.conseil-
etat.fr/ce/histoi/index_hp_vg00.shtml
Metro: Palais Royal
Cardinal Richelieu built this palatial mansion at the
beginning of the 17th century. Richelieu lived here
himself. When he died, he left the mansion by will
to the king. Louis XIV grew up here and the
mansion was named the Royal Mansion, Palais
Royal. Today, the building houses a number of
government functions and ministerial offices.

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Tour 5. Paris

33. Musée d’Orsay

Rue de Bellechasse 1
www.musee-orsay.fr
Metro: Solférino
RER: Musée d’Orsay
This grand museum, Musée d’Orsay, whose
collections cover the period from 1848 to 1914, is
set up in the old Orsay railway station, which was
built in 1900. The station was the terminus of the
Paris-Orléans railway, but already in 1939, it proved
too small for the purpose and after servicing local
trains for some years, it was closed. In 1958, the
building became historic when Charles de Gaulle
held a press conference here, which actually made
him the new President of France.

The railway station building was designed and built
as a small palace because it had to be in harmony
with the Louvre on the other side of the Seine. This
is also evident in the beautiful interior, which
houses one of the national museums of art. Works
of e.g. Manet, Rodin and Gaugin are exhibited here
and also some of Monet’s paintings.

Tour 5. Paris
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34. Musée de Louvre

Cour Napoléon
www.louvre.fr
Metro: Musée de Louvre
The world famous Louvre Museum is set up in the
former royal palace, which was founded in 1190 by
King Philippe II. Originally, it was a defensive castle
meant to protect Paris, which was situated on the
Isle de la Cité, against conquerors.

The construction of the present Louvre buildings
was begun in 1535. Around 1600, King Henri IV
erected the famous Grande Galerie. At the
beginning of the 17th century, Louis XIII had the
two wings of the palace erected – the so-called
Denon and Richelieu wings. Catherine de Medici,
however, began the Denon wing, as early as 1560.
After the French Revolution, the palace was opened

to the public as a museum in 1793. Throughout the
19th century, the former royal residence was also
extended and renovated.

The courtyard in the Louvre is called the Carrousel
and this is where the triumphal arch, Arc de
Triomphe du Carrousel, is found. Napoleon had
the arch erected 1806-1808 as a monument to the
French military victory at Austerlitz in 1805.

In 1989, the characteristic glass pyramid was erected
in the courtyard of the Louvre as a new main
entrance to the great art museum. The architect
behind the 20-metre tall pyramid is Ieoh Ming Pei.

The collections inside the Louvre Museum are
enormous – enough for several days of visits.
Among the highlights are Leonardo da
Vinci’s ”Mona Lisa”, which can be found in the
Denon wing, and ”Venus de Milo”, the Greek
statue from the 2nd century B.C, which is in the
central Sully wing.

Generally, the art work of the museum dates up to
1850, and there are separate exhibitions of Roman,
Greek, Oriental, Etruscan and Egyptian prehistoric
finds together with other collections of e.g.
European painting. Inside the Louvre buildings,
you will also find the Musée de la Mode et du
Textile (design and fashion) and the Musée des Art

Décoratifs (applied art). They have both been set
up in the Denon wing. Note, that the entrance to
the museums is on Rue de Rivoli.

Tour 5. Paris