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Paris Monuments

Paris monuments, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Montmartre Sacre-Coeur Basilica. 

Eiffel Tower

La Tour Eiffel is one of the most visited monuments in Paris.

Best work of Gustave Eiffel, a French ingenior who built the tallest building in the world in 1889 for the World's Fair in Paris.

You can visit the iron tower every day between 9 am to midnight (in the summer) and until 11 pm (rest of the year).

There are three levels. Two of them can be reach by stairs. Be healthy to do it because you will have to climb 1 710 of them. Visit to the top floor and discover best views of the Trocadero, Palais de Chaillot and the roofs of Paris. Two main restaurants inside the Eiffel Tower, the 58 Tour Eiffel (1st floor) and the Jules Verne. The best view of the whole Eiffel Tower will be from the Palais de Chaillot (Metro: Trocadero) or  the Champs de Mars.

Arc de Triomphe

In 1806, the Emperor Napoleon decided after his victory at Austerlitz  to build a colossal monument to the Imperial Army. The sculptures around it represent battles scenes and one of the most enormous is the Depart of the volunteers of 1792, also named who walked to Paris. It inspired the French National Anthem. You can see Napoleon Tomb at the Hotel des Invalides.

To go to the Arch de Triomphe used the passage underground the roundabout Etoile (the star) located at the Metro entrance. It could be to dangerous to walk across. There are 300 stairs to climb to the top. To avoid the long queue come early in the morning.

Panoramic view from the top of the Arc de Triumphe. You can see how well the star of the avenues Foch, Victor Hugo, Marceau, 
Champs Elysees, de Friedland, Hoche, de Wagram are designed. A little further the Arch of the Defense is one of the interesting Paris monuments.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

The cathedral is one of the most visited Paris monuments. It's opened every day from 8:00 am to 6:45 pm (7:15 pm on Saturdays and Sundays). The access to the cathedral is free of charge every day of the year, during the opening hours. There are often classical concerts at Notre-Dame. 

Notre Dame de Paris is one of the most beautiful churches in Paris with its grandiose architecture.

Started to build in 1163 and finished in 1345, hardly damaged during the French Revolution. Napoleon crowned himself Emperor here.

In the novel of the hunchback of Notre Dame, Victor Hugo described Quasimodo abandoned in Notre Dame. Go to the tower of the bell (387 stairs) you will rewarded by the view of paris and the stone gargoyles designed by the French Architect Viollet-le-Duc.

In the summer time it's very crowdy so get up early to avoid long queue before 9am is the best.

The interior of Notre Dame is magnificent. You can climb on the top of a tower, see the breathtaking view on the Ile de la Cite and the Seine. There are 387 steps and no elevator!

Visit the Louvre Free with The Paris Pass

Unlimited travel in central Paris

Free 1 Day Hop on Hop off Bus Tour Ticket

Sacre-Coeur Basilica

This beautiful white basilica is a must-see in Paris. Located on the hill of Montmartre, you can decide to climb the stairs or take the funicular with a metro ticket. There is also the Montmartrobus from Jules Joffrin and Pigalle. From the stairs of the Basilique you discover an excellent view of Paris. Go inside, see the largest mosaic of France. Opened every day. Opening hours: 6 am to 10:30 pm. You can also visit the Crypt.

At a walking distance you will find the place du Tertre (tertre means hillock) a square where are most of the painters and a good number of restaurants and cafes.

Grande Arche de la Defense

The Grande Arche de la Defense is the modern building you see from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. It is located in the buisiness district of Paris and was commanded by the president Francois Mitterrand in 1982. Now it is closed to the public.

Opera Garnier

The Opera Garnier is one of the most beautiful Paris monuments to visit. It was designed by the architect Charles Garnier for Napoleon III. Beautiful architecture with gold statues.

The paris opera is opened to the public and you can take a tour or visit on your own. The Grand Staircase is built in marble.

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