Mariam Nihal Saudi Gazette 1 - Eiffel Tower If you haven't seen it, please pay homage to the clichéd. And it is true, it comes alive at night, adorned with lights. Paris is known for many things, but the Eiffel tower is where it all begins. Over 7 million people visit it each year. It is where love begins for many. Romance is a synonym for fashion, art and culture surrounding this elaborate tower. Not many know it was inaugurated during the Universal Exposition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution in 1889. A 180-meter climb can help you discover a panoramic view of Paris. 2 - Louvre Museum The Louvre is the most visited art museum in the world. And rightly so. Dedicate a full day to it. The historic building is a former royal palace, with an area of 210,000 square meters including 60,600 for the exhibitions. The art museum hosts 35,000 masterpieces, from prehistory to contemporary art works. No wonder it attracts more than eight million visitors each year. It was built in the late 12th century under Philip II. You can see the remains of the fortress in the basement. The collection is divided into eight categories, that include Egyptian antiquities, oriental antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman; Islamic Art, Sculptures of the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Modern Times, Objects of art, paintings and Graphic arts. It is also home to the most legendary pieces of art including The Mona Lisa, The Raft of the Medusa, The Winged Victory of Samothrace, The Lacemaker, The Rebellious Slave and many more. Art lovers from around the world flock to the Louvre each year to witness works of legends like Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Jacques-Louis David, Raphael and many more. 3 - Champs Elysées / Arch of Triumph It is full of Arabs. Let's be honest. Almost every fifth person speaks Arabic or is from the Middle East. You can tell why Arabs love Champs Elysees- the avenue that is. It almost feels like it was built for the GCC. It is, somehow, an exuberant, open-air version of Dubai mall. Although, we get everything, if not more, in Dubai mall. But of course the advantage is that it is in Paris. Here is the history: Napoleon commissioned Jean Chalgrin the design of a triumphal arch to glorify the imperial armies. The Arc was built in the 19th century. The structure is held by pillars and has names of 558 generals and the great victories engraved on the top of the arc. Under the Arch of Triumph is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of France. The Champs Elysees stretches between the Arc on a 1.9 km road between Place de la Concorde and the Arch of Triumph. Again walking past Louis Vuitton, Cartier, cafes and restaurants, you cannot help but wonder what is it that Dubai would not be able to offer. Maybe the experience? But nothing else really. 4 – Montmartre Montmartre is a 130 meters high hill in the north of Paris. Montmartre is popular for being an arts haven and also hosts original works by Dali and other prolific artists. The white-domed Basilica of the Sacred Heart, is a famous attraction. The Basilica was completed in 1919 and was dedicated to the French victims of the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. Walk down to the Square of Tertre, a few blocks from the Basilica. A huge number of street artists exhibit their work and also paint live- tourists love getting portraits. Montmartre was the hub of modern art in the early 20th century. It was home to many artists including Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani and Claude Monet, among others. Explore Espace Salvador Dalí, a museum dedicated primarily to sculpture and drawings of the famous Spanish artist. Be sure to grab Nutella crepes from the row of cafes doling out the delicacy to tourists. 5 - Palace of Versailles The Palace of Versailles is one of the most famous castles in the world. It was built in the 17th century as a symbol of military power of France. The huge complex of gardens, buildings and terraces is definitely an ode to Renaissance art. Nearby hotels offer exclusive fine dining experiences, with extraordinary accommodations, lavish décor and architecture. Check out the famous Hall of Mirrors, the Queen's chamber and stroll through the famous gardens you have probably only seen in movies. 6 - Notre Dame Cathedral A fine example of French Gothic architecture, Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as Notre Dame, is actually a Roman Catholic cathedral. Consider climbing the famous 387 steps to the top of the towers. It does give you a beautiful panoramic view of the area and you can see the famous gargoyles up close. It is said to have taken 180 years for the cathederal to be completely built. Crusaders used to pray here before leaving for wars and polyphonic music developed in the cathedral. In fact, Notre-Dame de Paris is where Napoléon, crowned himself emperor. Most people associate childhood memories with the Hunchback of Notre-Dame and that may well be the reason your kids want to visit. It is after all a depiction of Victor Hugo's greatest historical romance. 7 - The Musée D'orsay Located at Paris's grand old Beaux Art railway stations, galleries of the Musée d'Orsay contain the world's largest collection of masterpieces by Van Gogh, Manet, Monet, Degas, Gaugin and many others. You can enjoy the view, go for a guided tour, dine at cafes and check out their book stores. 8 - Disneyland Paris Disneyland Paris is located 32 km from central Paris. It has two theme parks: Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland with the castle. The park is the second busiest Disney park in the world that had 15.6 million visitors in 2013 alone. It is ultimately the best vacation you can give your kids. In fact go feed the child within- Disneyland never disappoints. 9 - Quartier Latin - Luxembourg park The Latin Quarter is home to many students and educational institutes such as the Ecole Normale Superieure, the Ecole des Mines de Paris, the Schola Cantorum, and the university campus of Jussieu or the Ecole Polytechnique. The Luxembourg park was created in 1612 to accompany the Luxembourg Palace. The venue is also known to sports events including championship of France. The garden (also known as ‘Luco') was redesigned by André Le Nôtre, and has several varieties of apples, orchids, an apiary and a greenhouse. Along with three fountains, there are 106 statues and a bronze reduction of the Statue of Liberty. 10- Place de la Concorde The Concorde square is one of the most popular tourist sites located at the eastern end of the Champs-Elysées. It is the largest square in Paris- measuring 8.64 hectares. You have probably come across Place de la Concorde in Star Trek novels. It is the location of the offices of the President and the Council of the United Federation of Planets. It was designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel in 1755 with statues and fountains and was named Place Louis XV. The eastern building initially served as the French Naval Ministry. A giant Egyptian obelisk still stands in the middle of the square that was gifted by the Egyptian government to the French in the 19thcentury.
