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The Palais Royal & Gardens
The Palais
Royal was constructed for Cardinal Richelieu in 1628.
On the southwest corner is the Comedie Francaise and on the northwest
corner is the 4-star 'Grand Vefour', an haute cuisine restaurant
since the 1760s. The Palais Royal was home to Colette and Jean
Cocteau.
Louvre
Once a royal Renaissance palace, the Louvre Museum houses some
of the world’s most famous works of art, highlights of which
are the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory,
360
degree visit . Closed on Tuesdays.
Rue de Rivoli
This lovely arcade was begun by Napoleon in 1811. Under its arches
are two English language book stores; Angelina's, a tea salon famous
for its thick hot chocolate; and the luxurious Hotel Meurice. Tolstoy
at one time lived in one of the apartments above the Arcade.
Jardin des Tuilleries
The Tuileries Gardens were designed by Andre Le Notre in 1664
and is one of the largest parks in Paris. It is bordered by the
Louvre, Rue de Rivoli and, at the western end, the Orangerie and
the Jeu de Paume. The Orangerie houses Monet's magnificent 'Nympheas'
series of paintings of water-lilies which were painted at Giverny
and donated to the nation by the artist as a 'spiritual testimony'.
It also houses other great Impressionist and 'Ecole de Paris'
artists. It is undergoing a major re-haul at the moment. The Jeu
de Paume holds special exhibitions.
Place de Vendome
This classically elegant square built in 1685 has a 44 meter high
column with a crowning sculpture of Napoleon as Caeser, although this
has changed several times. It is home to the world's most opulent
jewelers and the legendary Ritz Hotel, a favorite haunt of the famous,
such as Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cole Porter, Proust, and Chanel.
Eglise de St. Eustache
Begun in 1532 and completed in 1647 it is one of the largest, most famous
and beautiful churches in Paris. It has a particularly noteworthy organ
and was the setting for the first performances of works by Berlioz and Liszt.
Rue St-Honore
This Street has been a major thoroughfare since the 12th century
and is now lined with luxurious shops and trendy boutiques. At #163
stood the old St-Honore Gate where Joan of Arc was wounded in the
thigh by an English archer in 1429. Her statue is nearby on Rue
de Rivoli to commemorate this event.
Chatelet & Les Halles
Rue de la Ferronnerie and Rue des Lombards is now an area of many
gay bars and restaurants. It was outside 11 Rue de la Ferronnerie
in 1610 that Henri IV was stabbed to death in his carriage.
Nearby is Les Halles underground pedestrian concourse lined with
shops and an RER and Metro Hub. It is on the site of the old "Les
Halles" Central Market.
Pont Neuf
Paris's most famous and beautiful bridge, was completed in 1607.
A statue of Henri IV stands near its center. The Bridge joins the
Right Bank of the Seine to Ile de la Cite and continues to the left
bank. Along the Quays are the Bouquinistes selling antique books and
prints.
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