Next time you’re travelling through the city of love, catch a glimpse of the past with a tour of the most historic buildings in Paris. Gareth Anderson shares his top picks…
Paris, the city of love and the famous French capital. There’s scarcely another place on Earth with as much history and culture contained in its city walls – the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, Musée d’Orsay and Moulin Rouge all call the city home.
And even such an impressive list barely scratches the surface of the number of historic buildings to be found in the city. So next time you’re staying in Paris, why not head off the beaten track to discover some of Paris’ most impressive historic buildings and how they helped shape the beautiful city. Read on for five of our favourites…
1. Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (pictured above)
Proudly guarding the city’s highest point on the summit of Montmarte, the Sacré-Cœur is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Paris, attracting revellers from around the world. Construction began in 1875, but the church wasn’t completed and consecrated until 1919. Architect Paul Abadie designed the basilica, beating 77 other architects for the honour – the building’s style is a free interpretation of Romano-Byzantine features, with many elements symbolising nationalist themes. The site offers stunning views over the city for visitors to enjoy – and if you’re religious, daily mass and confession is also available inside the church.
2. Cathédrale Notre-Dame
Chance upon the Cathédrale Notre-Dame on the Île de la Cité and you’ll see why it’s famous around the world. It’s one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture – and the best-known thanks to its location in the heart of the city. Completed in 1345, the sprawling cathedral has seen several restorations and was the inspiration for Victor Hugo’s book ‘Notre-Dame de Paris’. Access to the cathedral is free and open daily, and a 35-minute audio guide will walk visitors through the site’s history and architecture in 8 different languages.
3. Panthéon
Located in the city’s vibrant Latin Quarter, the Panthéon is a stunning display of early neoclassicism. Originally built as a church, today the Gothic cathedral is a secular mausoleum for distinguished French citizens, and holds the remains of Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Marie Curie and Alexandre Dumas. The building is a result of a pledge by King Louis XV; he vowed in 1744 if he recovered from his illness he would replace the ruined Abbey of St Genevieve with an edifice that was worthy of the patron saint of Paris. He did recover and the rest, as they say, is history.
4. Palais Garnier
Home of the Paris Opera, the Palais Garnier is one of the most opulent buildings in the city and named after its architect, Charles Garnier. The 1,979-seat opera house was completed in 1875 and designed in the Beaux-Arts style. Its interior must be seen to be believed, and features elaborate marble friezes, columns and statuary portraying Greek mythology. The stunning building was also the setting for the 1910 novel, The Phantom of the Opera, which later inspired the hit musical known to theatre lovers around the world.
5. Hôtel des Invalides
Actually referring to a complex of buildings in central Paris, the Hôtel des Invalides was designed in the Baroque style and inaugurated in 1678. Its chief purpose relates to the military – it contains museums and monuments depicting the military history of France, as well as a hospital and retirement home for war veterans. The tombs on the site contain notable military figures – most importantly Napoleon Bonaparte – and the site’s central dome was the inspiration for Thomas U. Walter’s designs of the United States Capitol.
What other historic buildings do you know and love in Paris? Share with us on Facebook or Twitter.
I was recently contacted by a TravelLiveLearn.com reader who is excited to be touring Europe this summer with our fab mates from Expat Explore. As it’s her first time on tour in Europe in the summer, she was keen to know what she should take, and she was confused by the plethora of information available on the Internet. Being that this seemed like a valid travel query, I’ve decided to post my answer and suggestions here for anyone else lucky enough to be touring through Europe in 2013 (bliss!).
Summer tour packing tips:
High heels are not required. You definitely do need flip flops, comfortable walking shoes (there’s LOTS of walking which is fine, but you need comfy, supportive shoes that aren’t too worn), and one other pair of casual type shoes that will double for if you go out or want to wear something different to dinner – I’d suggest an easy-going, pretty pair of wedges or mid heels – an ‘all rounder’ kind of shoe. Regarding clothes and shoes, you will find that you wear the same things over and over, and a lot of the items you pack ‘just in case’ (eg. high heels, a pretty shirt that you don’t wear often, a new skirt…), you won’t wear at all. It will be hot, so think of what you feel most comfortable in when you’re at home in summer – that’s what you end up wearing all the time!
Regarding medications, obviously if you have a particular condition (eg. asthma), be prepared. Perhaps buy a packet of travel sickness tablets in case you get motion sickness from the coach or plane. If you’re in any way unsure if you get sick while travelling, get some to have on hand – always better to be prepared, and these are generally sold over the counter in pharmacies. I would always also bring a packet of paracetamol, non-drowsy antihistamines (eg. Zyrtec or cheaper generic brand), a pack of Nurofen (Ibuprofen), and not that we needed it, but I always carry something for diarrhea. Ladies, if you tend towards urinary tract problems, it’s probably a good idea to take Ural sachets (or similar), just in case. I’d also suggest taking a multivitamin with you (or Berocca), to keep your immune system up to speed. They’re exciting but long days.
You will also need a good sun cream (for face and body) – essential! – and perhaps insect repellent is a good idea too.
Prescription medicinals – Chat to your doctor in advance regarding any potential issues with health, anxiety, sleeping or illness, and make sure any prescription medication is properly labelled.
Pack light! Start a list before you go that only includes what you would wear in the summer you’re used to. Leave room in your bags, because you’ll want to stock up on food and alcohol at supermarkets along the way – trust me, this is the cheapest and most efficient way, especially if you’ve already invested a fortune in your trip already for example, if you’ve had to fork out for an airfare from the other side of the world to get to Europe/UK in the first place.
Another reason to pack light – it’s cheap enough to buy various season-appropriate clothes on the road, and let’s face it, you’ll be going shopping anyway (it’s half the fun)! Pack your comfiest shorts/skirts/tshirts – this is what you’ll live in. I am not a shorts person, but I think 90% of days on the road I lived in a denim skirt, t-shirt or singlet, hat, walking shoes and socks. All the other rubbish I had in my bag was just annoying to carry around! Also you won’t need jeans I don’t think – it’s too hot at that time of year, and they’re heavy. Pack a light cardigan or long-sleeved shirt, but remember, you can layer with singlets and t-shirts if it’s at all chilly anywhere (which I doubt it will be).
Enjoy the summer! If you have other packing tips for travelling Europe please do share, either in the comments below, or find us at Facebook.com/TravelLiveLearn or Tweet @sarahblinco.
If you’re considering a trip with Expat Explore, read about our first-hand experience HERE (we had a blast!).
Time certainly does fly when you’re having fun. Today is our last day, how did that happen? We enjoyed probably one too many Long Island Iced Teas with Barry and Paulo at our new favourite on-board restaurant/bar, Aft, last night. But, being the warriors that we are, we “battled” on to be up bright and early to embark on yet another astoundingly well organised shore excursion, this time, into France.
[More travel videos feature on YouTube’s TheSarahBlinco channel]
Marseille is a gorgeous port city; the ‘second city’ of France, and capital of the Provence-Costa Azzurra region. The city stretches along 37km of Mediterranean coastline, and the area is renowned for offering over 300 days of sunshine per year. Today was not one of those days. While I’m not one who dislikes the rain – quite the contrary, the only time it puts a ‘dampener’ on my spirits is when I want to photograph beautiful landscapes. Our images are a little light on from today’s adventure as the weather was terrible, but the city is far from awful. We toured around its rather large perimeter; past grand, typically French architecture, through narrow alleys and up steep hills to visit outstanding cathedrals, one namely being the spectacular Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde.
The city comprises of buildings dating from a wide range of time periods, which means a feast for the eyes (and lens), whether you’re viewing from the top of one of Marseilles’ highest vantage point, or within the new marina at the city’s heart.
We hit Marseille’s shores on day 1 of a year-long annual festival celebrating its status as the ‘European Capital of Culture’ for 2013; a title which says something for all that is delightful and on offer here in this elegant French port stop.
Do you have a cruising story, or a Mediterranean travel tale to share? Let us know, tweet @sarahblinco or find us on Facebook. You can also read the rest of the stories in this series (more to come in coming days) HERE.
Emma Gardiner is one of those lovely people you meet in life – kind, interesting, innovative and well-travelled. She is a respected Public Relations professional, but also hosts popular travel site, SheGoes. She took time out to tell TravelLiveLearn about her favourite travel destination, Slovenia.
Emma Gardiner, PR Manager, Hawaii Tourism Oceania and Sultanate of Oman
Tell us a bit about She Goes and how it got started: I started SheGoes because I am a frustrated writer. I studied writing at university and worked as print journalist before crossing over to the dark side about eight years ago. I wanted to have an opinion and share it in my own voice – something that is verboten in PR – so I decided to start a blog about my favourite thing in the world – travel.
Fave travel destination? Slovenia
What’s so cool about this place? It’s like walking around in a fairytale … Lake Bled, the castles, churches, dragon bridge and central produce market in Ljubljana, the ancient seaside villages. It’s the most romantic place I have ever been.
Why did you decide to go in the first place? I went there on a work trip. I was hosting an Australian media famil and the client I was working wanted to showcase the route from Finland to Slovenia.
Favourite part/experiences of this particular trip? Definitely the central produce market in Ljubljana. It’s in the city square surrounded by 16th century stone halls dedicated to fish, cheese, bread and meat. The fruit, vegetables and flowers are in the open air section; I have never seen produce like it – it was a foodie’s paradise.
How did you get around? We travelled in a mini-bus around Slovenia but also did quite a few tours on foot.
What would you recommend other people do? You absolutely have to visit Lake Bled and take a traditional row boat out to the old church in the centre. The scenery will blow you away.
What’s your number one travel tip? Take a good book in your hand luggage. It’s a foolproof way of entertaining yourself during inevitable delays.
What are your top tips for aspiring bloggers: Do it for love. Blogging won’t make you rich but you will have an enormous amount of fun and it will open doors to a world of experiences, people and ideas.
And your next (ideal) travel destination?: Japan. I am a craft, art and design nerd and Japanese people are some of the most inventive creators out there!
“Rome, it’s as beautiful as everybody says it is; to me it’s not the big things they tell you about – the sculptures, the imposing squares and monuments, though they are amazing. It’s the little things; the tiny details, the improbable awesomeness of every little damn thing.” −Anthony Bourdain.
Last night we were watching Anthony Bourdain on the Travel Channel. He was experiencing his first visit to Rome, Italy, and one of his initial descriptions really hit home with me, because it wasn’t all the massive ‘stereotypically Rome’ monuments that got to me either … it was the little streets, lamps, fountains, statues. Beautiful, intricate details that to me are now ‘classically Roman’.
Simply amazing Rome, hope to see you again one day x
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The city comprises of buildings dating from a wide range of time periods, which means a feast for the eyes (and lens), whether you’re viewing from the top of one of Marseilles’ highest vantage point, or within the new marina at the city’s heart.
