Category Archives: News
The Centre Pompidou museum in Paris
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Whenever, we think of Paris as a tourist destination, the first thought that comes to our mind is that of the Eiffel tower. However, it must be known that there are a lot of other attractions in Paris. One such tourist spot for the lovers of modern art and architecture is the Centre Pompidou which is a museum in Paris dedicated to all forms of modern and contemporary creations, including literature, theatre, film and music. Centre Pompidou, in fact, is the third most visited Paris attraction with about 5.5 million visitors a year.
The museum opened in 1977 and the vision behind this spectacular museum is that of President Georges Pompidou, who got this museum designed by architects Renzo Piano. The visitors to this museum can also take souvenirs from the gift shops and the three bookshops in Centre Pompidou. There is also a design boutique on the mezzanine which holds a collections of unique, funky and artsy souvenirs and gifts. There are a lot of choices for a quick bite when at this museum. While one can stop at the one of the two quick and casual eateries, a better choice would be the level 6 Restaurant Georges with panoramic views of Paris.
the basic ticket to the museum and exhibitions costs around €12 during the busy tourist season and €10 in the off-season. Those under 18 can enter the museum and exhibits for free, and those ages 18-25 can enter on Wednesday evenings through June 2008. The first Sunday of each month allows free entry to the museum.
When visiting this museum, be sure to take a visit to the pop-art-esque Stravinsky Fountain which captivates the tourists with its bright lips, heart and elephant figures.
The Eiffel Tower In The Paris
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As is widely known, The Eiffel Tower should come on the top of your list of places to visit, if you ever go to France! The tower itself is a sight to behold, let alone the breathtaking view it features from its top! If you choose not to visit it, its blurry image will keep haunting you wherever you go in Paris for it is visible from almost any vantage point of the city.
Its remarkable architecture and unbelievable size is awe-inspiring! A constantly moving crowd is another one of its characteristic features. Thus, you do have to waste a large amount of time standing in lines to experience it.
Eiffel Tower has come to symbolize Paris in a way no other thing can. Whenever one thinks of Paris, one has to think of the Eiffel! Its shape features in key-rings, T-shirts, books, paintings etc. Eiffel is known worldwide and is something everyone must see at least once in their lives.
Facts tell us that over 204 million people have visited it since 1889, thus, making it the most visited attraction in the whole of France! Not only this, the entire structure weighs around 10000 tons!
However, the Eiffel tower like many other things in this world is overrated. It’s like when you visit the Taj Mahal. You’ll be excited as long as you reach there and will be struck for maybe a few minutes. However, after some time you just grow bored of the ever increasing crowd and the never ending lines. There are other more interesting places to visit in Paris. Even then, I will suggest you take all the pains required and visit it at least once!
The first floor basically features a display of the tower’s history. There is also an Altitude 95 restaurant present here. A more sophisticated Jules Verne hotel is situated on the second floor. Souvenir shops and information kiosks are found almost throughout. Take the elevator to reach the top which features the picturesque views! The height is so extreme that it sometimes makes the view unclear because of the clouds!
A good tip is to visit it as early in the morning as possible for that way you will miss the largest crowd. Midday is the peak time and that is when you will find the largest rush
Louvre Museum In Paris
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Located in Paris, Louvre is a French palace and the national art museum of France. Once a residence of the kings of France, the palace features traditional French architecture since the Renaissance, and it houses a magnificent collection of ancient and Western art.
The first Louvre was a fortress built at the beginning of the 13th century by Philip II Augustus to defend the Seine below Paris against the Normans and English. In the late 1980s, there was extensive renovation and expansion in the Louvre. In November 1993, to mark its 200th anniversary, the museum unveiled the Richelieu wing in the quarters that had been vacated, grudgingly, by the Ministry of Finance in 1989.
Louvre museum displays Oriental (ancient Mesopotamian) antiquities; Egyptian antiquities; Greek and Roman antiquities; sculpture from the Middle Ages to modern times; furniture and objects d’art; and paintings representing all the European schools. A section of the museum is devoted to Islamic art.
Louvre takes pride in its ancient art works with the likes of a statuette of the Sumerian ruler Gudea, a stele bearing Hammurabi’s code, an Egyptian painted stone statue of a scribe sitting cross-legged, the Venus de Milo, and the Victory of Samothrace. Also among the famous displays of the museum are two marble Slaves by Michelangelo, the treasure of the abbey of St. Denis, and the French crown diamonds. Important paintings include the Pietà of Avignon, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Veronese’s immense Wedding at Cana and Watteau’s Embarkation for Cythera.
Louvre is located at Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris. It is accessible through métro: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. The admission charges are 7.50€ for adults and 5.00€ after 3pm. It is free for the first Sunday of the month and for children 17 and under. The museum is closed on Jan. 1, May 1, Nov. 11 and Dec. 25.
The Great War Museum opens in Meaux near Paris
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This Friday on 11.11.11, The Great War Museum (Le Musee de la Grande Guerre) was inaugurated at Meaux. Meaux is located 41.1 km (25.5 mi) east-northeast from the center of Paris.
The museum lies in front of the American monument Liberty in Distress by Frederick MacMonnies, erected in memory of the soldiers who fell at the two battles of the Marne.
The museum takes us through journey of old days. All the explanations are in French, English and German. The first section of the museum depicts the era of late 19th century and the 1870 Franco Prussian war, and moves through to 1914. The second section, from the 1914 to the 1918 Battles of the Marne, is grouped around the ‘grand nef’. The final section takes you from 1918 to 1939 with all its illusions of victory, all the grand hopes and slowly revealed failures that led to World War II. The full round across the museum takes about 90 minutes.
The museum takes up different subjects right from techniques of warfare, the participation of women in wars, the effect of war on scientific and medical advances and also the impact of war on social lives. Another section of the museum shows everyday objects from the front and the home front and also real works of art such as the delightful mandolins made out of Adrian helmets. The Museum has a café for light snacks and drinks, and a good book and gift shop.
The charges for admission in the museum are as follows:
- Adult 10 euros
- Students under 26 years, senior citizens over 65 years, war veterans, members of the military 7 euros
- Under 18 years old 5 euros
- Free for children under 8 years, teachers and museum curators
- Family ticket: 2 adults and 2 children under 18 years old 25 euros
If you want to take a visit to Meaux, you can stay in these hotels in Paris:
Etap Hotel Paris La Villette 19ème
57-63 Avenue Jean Jaurès
Paris
08 92 68 08 91
Libertel Canal Saint Martin
5 Avenue Secrétan
Paris
01 42 06 62 00
Buttes Chaumont Hotel Paris
4 Avenue Secrétan
Paris
01 42 45 33 81
Relais Bergson
124 Avenue Simon Bolivar
Paris
01 42 08 31 17
Places to avoid and travel in Paris
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As France talks of a very lesser crime rate, yet still there are certain areas in France that are needed to be avoided from a tourist’s perspective. This area presents a great threat to, especially to tourists. There are some areas in Paris with higher incidence of crime, especially of sudden assault. Below is provided a list of dangerous as well as safe spots to visit in Paris.
Safe Places in Paris
• Rue Mouffetarde: This Street yet thronged by tourists is situated in heart of the city at Fifth Arrondissement. The shops, boutiques, and restaurants along this pedestrian street provide the actual taste of Paris and have still not affected a massive crowd of masses visiting the area.
• La Défense: It is considered as one of the safest spots in Paris, La Défense is too is rarely visited by tourists as it is the business and corporate center of France. As on the west of Paris, this area is entirely filled with skyscrapers and high-rise buildings.
• Western Residential Areas: Areas like the 16th Arrondissement, where Eiffel Tower is located, and the 17th Arrondissement are comparatively much calmer and relaxed and free of thieves.
• Montparnasse: Situated in the south of Paris, Montparnasse is comparatively much safer to travel and visit. Many famous artists and writers use to live here and neither is any lack of interesting spots you love to live like as they are landmarks like Tour Montparnasse.
Risky spots in Paris
• Sacré Coeur: The Sacré Coeur cathedral that shows up a very panoramic view of the Paris is a very apt architecture in its own way. The crowds and street performers there seem very charming and entertaining yet many crimes even against tourists, there take place. One common practice as person tying a string around your finger and you are surprised and display any action his accomplice at the same time takes away your wallet and purse.
• Marché aux Puces: It is a very popular flea market in Paris located on the north of the city and is filled entirely with antique stalls, junk shops, and everything in between and is organized around a series of winding streets. This place is very ideal for a thief. The crime rate in this area is due to shoppers’ attention to their personal belongings as they love to examine goods.
• The Suburbs: Parisian suburbs have recently gone through the wave of crime had attracted attention of International media. As the most of the Paris tourist centers in center of Paris and it is therefore best to avoid those areas lying Parisian suburban area. However, there are certain suburbs like Neuilly-sur-Seine, which are too wealthy and experience lesser crime.
• RER and Metro Line 1: The RER commuter trains and the Metro Line 1 are the areas considered as prone for foreign tourists. The real threats here are pickpockets that are sneaky and even travel in packs. It is very necessary to remain vigilant in the Metro and commuter trains, especially at night.
Paris Cuisines, the delicacies to be loved by all!
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Paris’ culinary and cuisines are much famous and popular for its diverse populace having base from different cultural backgrounds and ethos. The culinary tradition of the city to a large extent credited to its 19th century railway system that made Paris a central center for immigrants from different regions and places in Paris. Therefore many gastronomical facilities are provided for people visiting or staying already in Paris. And that cultural diversity in cuisine is still prevalent in Paris and can be seen in different food items and cuisines from Paris.
Paris cuisines are known globally for its unmatched taste and quality. The diversity in food items in Paris definitely delights every visitor and tourist coming to the city. Paris is a very nice spot for gourmet’s lovers as the city provides a good number of variety in culinary taste and variety. The variety of Paris cuisine consists from fresh bread to delicious cheese and from creamy chocolates to pastries and much more. Those who love to taste the best wine and food both together must visit Paris. It is also an ideal place where food lovers even can enjoy all varieties of Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian and other international cuisine.
It is quite popular that Parisians are very particular about their food and love to have the best food to quench their appetite. The residents of Paris, generally take food around lunch at noon, and eat dinner late around 8 PM. In breakfast, they take bagel, fruit and coffee. Paris food primarily is come in different varieties and in Paris t is consisted of cheese; coffee and bread as it are considered in the main course in Paris. The locally baked breads are provided in Paris in different varieties, textures, shapes and names. The baguette is one of the most popular forms of bread available in Paris. There different variety of cheese in also available in Paris and the list is endless. Some interesting food varieties are Brie of Melun, Brie of Montereau, Brie of Meaux, Coulommiers and Fontainebleau. Delicious cakes and pastries like Niflette, Paris-Brest, Puits d’amour and tart bourdaloue with fillings are very common in Paris.
There much too good number of restaurants is even available in Paris that has reputation due to their excellent chefs, who prepare some of the best dishes for food lovers. The restaurants in Paris can be divided into cozy bistros and upscale restaurants. Some of the famous restaurants in city are Jules Verne Restaurant, Le Grand Colbert Restaurant, George Restaurant, Boulangeries Restaurant, French Nouvelle Restaurant, Traiteurs Restaurant and Dolce Vita Restaurant. Paris fast food is also very popular among tourists as one can try all delicacies all kinds of sandwiches, burgers, French fries, pizzas, hot dogs, hot chips and much more. Paris is also rich in fast food chains like McDonald’s, Starbucks, KFC, Pizza Hut Express, Häagen-Dazs and Quick are some of the best fast food restaurants in Paris.
Culture of Paris, learn it as it exists
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The Culture of Paris is amalgamation of the arts, music, museums, festivals and other sources of entertainment as existing in Paris, the capital city of France. And Paris being the capital of France and being a global and cosmopolitan city has developed into the world’s leading business and cultural centers has active participation in activities like entertainment, music, media, fashion, and other forms of arts. In Paris, there are also located cultural masterpieces like as Louvre, Musée Picasso, Musée Rodin, Musée du Montparnasse, Musée National d’Art Moderne. Art and artifacts from the Middle Ages can also be seen and visualize as in Musée Cluny while Musée d’Orsay is notable for housing Impressionist era masterpieces. Lets try to understand culture of Paris one by one:
• Architecture: The cathedrals in Paris are symbol of its real culture and aptitude. The Notre Dame de Paris and the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur is annually visited by around 12 million visitors. The Eiffel Tower, as the most noted Paris monument is visited by about six million visitors per year.
• Museums and Galleries: Paris’ museums and monuments are among the best attractions in the city and have motivated both the city and national governments to create new museums in the city. The city’s most fames museum is, the Louvre. The Louvre is one of the largest and most famous museums and houses works of legends including the Mona Lisa (La Joconde) and the Venus de Milo statue. Works by Pablo Picasso and Auguste Rodin are found in Musée Picasso and Musée Rodin, respectively.
• Opera and Theatres: Paris’ has many opera houses among them most famous is the nineteenth-century Opéra Garnier (historical Paris Opéra) and modern Opéra Bastille. The Opéra Garnier is known for rather classic ballets and operas, where as later one provides a mixed repertoire of classic and modern.
• Movies: Parisians share among them the peculiar movie-going trends as followed another theaters in global cities too. And most of the movies there are Hollywood-generated film entertainment. And thereafter comes the number of French movies as directed by legends like Claude Lelouch, François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol, and Luc Besson.
• Fashion: Paris is much recognized for fashion activities in the city as it has been center of an inernational hub of fashion design. The city is known for producing many well recognized and noted fashion houses like as Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Chloé, Givenchy, Lanvin, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton. It also a popular center for shopping at famous streets as Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and the Champs-Élysées displaying boutiques from designers all on the world. It is also home to well known jewelers like as Cartier SA, Boucheron, Chaumet, and Van Cleef & Arpels.
• Cuisines: Paris’ culinary status can be credited to the diverse origin of its citizens and at the beginning of 19th-century it was center of a railway system and there was a migration from all across from all sides in France’s different regions and gastronomical cultures. Therefore, it is very easy to find much diversity in the cuisines and food available in Paris.
Nightlife in Paris, the best way to kill boredom
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Nightlife scene in Paris keeps changing from time to time and period to period. There is a lot for nightlife in Paris, including the small colorful bars, popular clubs and unique little drinking dens. Below are mentioned some popular spots for nightlife in Paris.
• Opéra National de Paris: The National Opéra of France orga National de Paris performs ballet and opera at the Opéra Garnier, place de l’Opéra, 9th, and Opéra Bastille, place de la Bastille and some other special avenues and places. The huge opera productions are being organized at the Châtelet Théâtre Musical de Paris, 1 place du Châtelet, 1st. However, going for any ballet performance one must check its website for info ballets, meetings, classical concerts, workshops and other events. .
• Nouveau Casino: It is a tremendous hip club, however, its ambience gives an impact of its being old one. Situated next to Café Charbon an area surrounding the Oberkampf organizes concert every night and afterward DJs.
• La Cigale: This clubs is liked by and is fond by touring indie bands, cultish French rockers and cutting-edge musicians. The ambience in club is sweaty and lairy and this is one of the best preferred and loved one music venues in Paris. Cabaret and flamenco there is enjoyed along side Seu George and Mark Ronson. However always prefer reservation before entering into the club.
• Café Charbon: Located within the Belle Epoque building, this Parisian café is a center of the Oberkampf thriving nightlife scene. It is the oldest of all the bars here and next to is Nouveau Casino an excellent music venue and spot.
• Cité de la Musique: Situated in the Parc de la Villette, it is a fabulous cultural centre that provides an excellent mixture of musical events, workshops and exhibitions. There a glance at the programme shows it at breath and depth. It is home to world famed Ensemble Intercontemporain and center for most contemporary modern music.
• Comédie Française: This is one of the most reputed theaters of the world praised for its classical productions and performances. Spare a evening here is worth your time as well as money.
• Le Régine: On the arrival of spring in Paris there are many clubs that a person loves to enjoy and follow after. Le Régine is one of the important clubs in the city. One can enjoy dance-orientated music including all showstoppers, cabaret acts and sexy burlesque dancers.
• La Perle: This is a very attractive Parisian club where gay and straight clubbers mix up with each other in a vibe and culture that is filled Parisian hedonism as done and carried out here.
• Théâtre de la Ville: At this theater the works of high-profile choreographers, such as Karine Saporta, Maguy Marin and Pina Bausch are regularly organized. The performances by theatre are also shown at venue and spots like Les Abbesses, along with the same contact details.
Paris nightlife, a journey to entirely different world
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Paris’ nightlife has an immaculate tradition and reputation for hundred years for providing a distinct and different sort of entertainment for night owls and the reputation is simultaneously is growing up day by day. A different tradition has been observed through the people and tourist in Paris as either some of them never like to move outside the crowed and overpriced bars of the Champs-Elysées as well as there are ample bustling nightlife districts are also available there in Paris for exploration. Below are provided some of the most popular and unique nightlife spots in Paris and they are being as following:
• Belleville: It is the place known as the birth place of the legendary Edith Piaf’s and is the working-class district of Belleville as seen as a surge in bar and club openings during the past few years. Belleville presents nightowls a gritty and real experience to spare out the night experience. Some popular spot to spare and live about here are La Flèche d’Or Bar and Concert Venue, Café chéri/e (44 Blvd de la Villette), La Java and Okubi.
• Champs-Elysées: This is the place for the enthusiasts who love to be in Club. The exclusive Champs-Elysees is not fit to be assumed as the authentic Paris nightlife lovers. Its does not let city lovers to experience the go past the
Eiffel Tower. The famous spots in the region are Le Queen (102 avenue des Champs-Elysees) which is a gay club, and one of the better spots for a satisfying dance. Man Ray: this restaurant is partly owned by Johnny Depp.
• Montmartre and Pigalle: It is branded as sex center in Paris and however is not as sleazy as its counterparts in Amsterdam or Antwerp. There are attractions and night clubs like the Moulin Rouge and several late-night clubs, tourists’ centers and people flock there in ample crowd. The premier centers to be recreated here are Moulin Rouge, Elysees Montmartre, Divan du Monde, Montmartre and La Fourmi.
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Situated on the right bank of river Seine it is the spot where one can expect to wonder about the actual and authentic Paris nightlife. The St. Germain-des-Prés district has a good number of bars and clubs as to provide full recreation to tourists. It is also regularly frequented by Students from the nearby Sorbonne as it gathers from as visiting from the near by Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter. One there can travel around The Wagg, and Coolin which is a Paris Irish pub and offers an authentic Irish setting. Next Les Etages is an ambient bar and gives refreshing alternative to dine and enjoyment.
• Oberkampf: It is immensely popular with a trendy Parisian crowd and considered as Paris’s coolest new hang out.
• Place Vendome and Faubourg St.-Honoré: If you have any desire to be a socialite then you definitely can wander around the legendary Place Vendome/St. Honoré for visualizing the some better quality people viewing. It is a shopper’s dream as is frequented by fashion lovers, celebrities and other people.
The shopping centers in Paris for exclusive buying
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There is a shopping arena and the shopping malls in the Paris that makes it exclusive for shoppers for being a place with lots of shopping extra curricular activities there. The charm and glitter at Paris shopping center makes it an exclusive center for Haute Couture shops that are found on Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore and Avenue Montaigne at the 8th arrondissement. So many a shopping attractions and shopping reasons, Paris is considered as one of the great fashion centers in the Western World and has a massive reputation for its fashion articles and products sold in the market in farthest and nearest places like New York, London and Milan that makes it interestingly a shopper’s delight.
High end fashion activities, however, can be seen at the 8th arrondisement. In summer, there is no much better place for shopping than having boutiques in and around Canal St-Martin, or revolving around the impressive arcades of the historically important Palais-Royal, which are beautifully enclosed purchases swinging on and around each arm. However, one interesting thing to learn about is that it is surrounded entirely by Jewish neighborhood, and it is found that most of the shops remain open there even on Sundays. The store in this particular area has very intimate and very interesting boutiques, there in and around area, especially, with Parisian style of clothing stores. You will no doubt get something always interesting there on the street worth apprising and looking.
Another great spot for shopping in Paris is the Sèvres Babylone. That is the particular area there too exists and has survival are the regions like Le Bon Marchée 7th, particularly rue de Cherche Midi 6th. The area there too has many major fashion centers like Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace that too has many other smaller private boutiques which are famous for handmade clothing and many other things to be loved and liked by most of the shopping enthusiasts. However, some famous centers for shopping in Paris are as following.
• Louvre-Tuileries and Faubourg Saint-Honoré: The Faubourg Saint-Honoré is a center stage for Paris design and fashion. It is with an integral association is part of the Louvre-Tuileries neighborhood and is hardly a few blocks away from the Opera Garnier and the Paris departmental store block on Boulevard Haussmann. The Saint-Honoré fashion district lies under the occupation of classic designers like Versace, Hermes, and Yves Saint Laurent, it also has trendy concepts from persons like Colette.
• Paris Department Stores District: Paris department stores district is known for being its own class and fashion accessories found out there. Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores has good and commendable hold around the Boulevard Haussmann area with real Belle Epoque grandeur, themed around the best designer collections and goods for men and women, gourmet food shopping, home design, jewelry, and extensive hardware for a classified designs for variety and association for consumer delights.
• The Marais: The renowned historic Marais quarter is known to be the primary center for shoppers those always looks for unique and finely crafted not to mention antique art lobbies and lovers. There you can shop for better equipped and varied Place des Vosges, jewelry shopping at boutiques like Satellite on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, or can look out for boutiques featuring up and latest designers like Rue des Rosiers.
• Avenue Montaigne and Avenue des Champs-Elysées: Avenue Montaigne and Avenue des Champs-Elysées creates one of the hottest shopping hubs in Paris. Montaigne is the best shopping center with extraordinary and state of the Art designers like Chanel and Dior lining the street. The Champs-Elysées features extraordinary names like Louis Vuitton and is also a major spot for shopping at the trendy global chains like Zara.
• Saint-Ouen Flea Market: The Saint-Ouen flea market is the largest market in the city. It is situated at the very northern tip of Paris and is very compulsory shopping street in Paris. While a slightest journey of the place would put you across the opportunity to select from antique furniture, odd objects, or vintage clothes. However, on weekends you can face massive crowd at the market so you should avoid traveling there on weekends.
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés: This is a place for intellectuals who just love too sit at forgotten cafes. St.-Germain-des-Prés has both urbanisms as well as sophistication of BCBG’s (yuppies). Sonia Rykiel and Paco Rabanne have different boutiques there and it is too famous for being a popular departmental store. Le Bon Marché too include a gourmet market that is too famous for eating habits and items there in the market where a person should always pay a visit.
• Les Halles and Rue de Rivoli: It is a huge outdoor food market around Châtelet-les Halles and was transformed as a major shopping center around the 20th century. There Les Halles is a spectacular underground mall, where global and leading chain stores are located. Rue de Rivoli is much the same. In the Rue Montorgueil area, there are situated exemplary contemporary boutiques abound consisting classes like Barbara Bui and young cutting-edge designers.
• Flea Markets: Paris has 3 popular flea-markets, situated on the outer circle of the central city. The most renowned of these markets are the Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen, Métro: Porte de Clignancourt. The nest day to visit these markets is Saturday and Sunday. The best times to roam around the Flea Markets are spring and summertime, when the area is more exciting and exorbitant.