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Airport Code: |
ORY |
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Airport Name: |
Paris Orly Airport |
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Airport Location: |
Paris, France |
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Attractions
 To
learn the Louvre in and out, you might need a lifetime. Still, one has to
start somewhere. The site of the world’s largest and most diverse collection
of pre-20th century painting, sculpture, and decorative objects, The Louvre is
definitely one of Paris' best attractions. Not forgetting the Mona Lisa
and the Venus de Milo, bask in the works of Vermeer, Caravaggio,
Rembrandt, and countless other masters. The palace itself is testament to a
rich history spanning from the medieval period to the present.
No first trip to Paris is complete without
a visit to this marvel of high gothic architecture. One of the most
singular and beautiful cathedrals of Europe, Notre Dame Cathedral's
dramatic towers, spire, stained glass and statuary are guaranteed to
take your breath away. Witness firsthand the spot that was once the
very heartbeat of medieval Paris, and that took over 100 years of hard
labor to complete. Climbing the North tower to see Paris from the
hunchback Quasimodo’s vantage is essential, too. You'll quickly
understand why Notre Dame is one of Paris' best attractions.
The Sorbonne University is the historic
soul of the Latin Quarter, where higher learning has flourished for
centuries. Founded in 1257 for a small group of theology students, the
Sorbonne is one of Europe's oldest universities. It has hosted
countless great thinkers, including philosophers René Descartes,
Jean-Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir. Enjoy a drink on the café
terrace in front of the college before exploring the winding little
streets behind it.
More than any other landmark, the Eiffel
Tower has come to represent an elegant and contemporary Paris. The
iron tower, which was built for the 1889 World Exposition by Gustave
Eiffel, was wildly unpopular with Parisians when it was unveiled, and
was nearly torn down. It has since attracted over 220 million visitors,
and it would be hard to imagine Paris now without it. The tower crowns
the Paris night sky with its festive light, and glitters up a storm
every hour. Cliché? Maybe. But essential.
The 164-foot arch commissioned by Emperor
Napoléon I does exactly what it was made to do: evoke sheer military
power and triumph. It was built in an age when leaders erected
monuments in their own honor, and scaled to their egos. The arch's
beautiful sculptures and reliefs commemorate Napoléon's generals and
soldiers. Visit the Arc de Triomphe to begin or culminate a walk down
the equally grandiose Avenue des Champs-Elysées. You can't help but
feel grand yourself.
Parisians consider the Centre Pompidou to
be the pulse and center of the city. This museum of modern art and
cultural center opened in 1977 to honor former president Georges
Pompidou. The Center's signature skeletal design, which evokes bones
and blood vessels, is either loved or hated-- no in-betweens. Even if
wacky design isn't your cup of tea, the permanent collection is a must
and features works by Modigliani, Picasso, and Matisse. Rooftop views
of the city are also in order.
With its unmistakeable white dome, the
Sacre Coeur sits at the highest point of Paris on the Montmartre knoll,
or butte. This basilica, which was consecrated in 1909, is
best-known for its garish gold mosaic interiors and for its dramatic
terrace, from which you can expect sweeping views of Paris on a clear
day. Take the funicular up with a metro ticket and stop off at Sacre
Coeur before exploring the winding, village-like streets of Montmartre.
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