Car Hire in Paris, France
Paris District Guide
Once only a village that was established on the "Ile de la Cité" (City Island) around the confluence of the Seine's two branches, Paris has immensely expanded within the centuries, taking the neighboring villages under its wing and making them its very own. Now the City of Light - a name Paris attained in the age of the Enlightenment - comprises of several arrondissments or districts, numbered from 1 to 20 and logically ordered with the 1st in the centre along with the others following on in a clockwise spiral. The dissimilarities are extensive and varied between the districts, both in terms of the populations and interesting attractions, which together constitute the multifaceted city we all know and appreciate.
Paris Attractions
Paris Eiffel Tower
Paris just wouldn't be Paris without the presence of the famous Eiffel Tower. Designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World Fair,; at 300meters, it was then the world's tallest building. Few people were pleased when it was first constructed; many considered it an eyesore and wanted it taken down, however, nowadays it is among the world's popular monuments. The first and second floors can be reached using the stairs, and lifts take site the impressive scenery at the very top.
Paris Arc De Triomphe
Commissioned by Napoléon in 1806 to commemorate his triumph at the battle of Austerlitz and the glory of French armies, the arch had not been finished until 1836 by Louis-Phillipe; and it costs ten million francs.
The development was vested to Chalgrin, who established a model of the arch on the real site in 1810 for Napoléon's wedding to Marie-Louise, daughter of the Austrian ambassador. The Emperor didn't move across the completed, real version until his funeral procession in 1840. Forty-five years later, Victor Hugo's wake occurred under the arch. Right away you can come across the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, killed in the First World War, and his flame, lit as a commemorative to all those killed in battle.
The Arch is a site both of memories and also current events and celebrations. The lists of the dead will move you. The cars that drive all over the monument will terrify you! Standing in a direct line between the Louvre and the Grande Arche de la Défense, the monument links the past with the present and gives astounding scenery. A truly eye-catching landmark, 50 metres high and 45 metres wide, Paris wouldn't be Paris without it!
Paris Louvre
Originally developed to defend Paris against the Vikings, this Renaissance palace became a museum in 1793. Today it features impressive collections of Etruscan, Egyptian, Oriental, Roman and Greek artefacts and sculptures, paintings as well as other works of art ranging from the Middle Ages up to the 1850s, including Leonardo da Vinci's enigmatic "Mona Lisa." Architect I.M. Pei's amazing glass pyramid, commissioned by the President François Mitterrand, caused a sensation when it was added in 1989.
Paris Place De La Concorde
Originally recognized as the place of Louis-XV, this square was developed between 1755 and 1775 by the architect, Gabriel. Renamed Place de la Révolution in 1792, a guillotine was established and 2800 executions occurred together with that of King Louis XVI. Louis-Philippe christened it Place de la Concorde in 1830.
The Louqsor obelisk, a gift from the Viceroy of Egypt to King Charles X of France, has been standing in the centre of the square since 1840. The eight statues that represents France's largest cities along with the two fountains were also added at this time. The square is home to one of Paris' most prestigious hotels, the Hôtel Crillon.
Paris Palais de Chaillot
Situated just about at the foot of the Tour Eiffel, the Palais de Chaillot was constructed on the hill of Chaillot by the architects namely Azéma, Louis-Auguste Boileau and Jacques Carlu for the Great Exhibition of 1937. This Neo-Classical monument, shaped like a banana cut in two, comprises four pavilions and two wings, each measuring 195m in length. It is covered with sculptures and bas-reliefs from the Thirties, as well as gold inscriptions by the writer, Paul Valéry. It houses the Musée de l'Homme, the Musée de la Marine, the Musée du cinéma Henri Langlois, the Musée des Monuments français, Chaillots National Theatre and also the Cinémathèque française. In front of its façades lielies the Jardins du Trocadéro.
Paris Tour Montparnasse
Even for locals, the Montparnasse tower comes with a fairytale view of the city - accessible thanks to Europe's quickest lift that whisks you to the top in just 38 seconds. From this point, 200m up, or from the bar/restaurant on the 56th floor, the panorama extends for miles. Found above Montparnasse station, which serves the western side of France, the tower contains offices and businesses. Just by the restaurant is an event that traces the historical past of Paris since 1858.
Paris Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris
Climbing the 387 steps to the top of this masterpiece is really worth the effort for the spectacular view. Construction of the first great Gothic cathedral began in 1163 and was largely completed by 1212; the restructuring of the two transept gates in 1270marked its completion. The west face is featured with three richly decorated doorways and crowned with two 69-meters towers. The cathedral is busy at the best of times; especially on Sundays, when much of the building is closed to visitors.
Paris Les Halles
The Halles was a massive fruit and-meat marketplace, and was known as the "belly of Paris" by Emile Zola. Today, it is one of the biggest subterranean (the Forum des Halles) and outdoor clothes-shopping areas in the French capital, attracting a young and mixed clientele. Just a few streets away lies the Centre Georges Pompidou (Georges Pompidou Centre) cultural center, refurbished and much better than ever before for the new millennium.
Highlights of this area include the attractive Rue Quincampoix, Place Igor Stravinsky with Niki de St Phalle's amazing and colourful fountain sculptures, the pleasant Café Beaubourg which is good for serving coffee as well as scrumptious light meals and also the rooftop of La Samaritaine which is a department store featuring its great views of Paris.
Métro: Les Halles, Réaumur-Sébastopol RER: Châtelet-Les Halles
Paris Sacre Coeur
This Romano-Byzantine basilica overlooks Montmartre, the latter considered as one of Paris's most scenic districts. Its distinctive dome rising up over the rooftops, the basilica offers the best standpoint from which to survey the city. Inside, the mosaic of Christ and the crypt are of particular interest. Commissioned by the Catholic Church, building began in 1875 under the supervision of architect Paul Abadie, and was finally completed in 1914.
Paris Chateau De Versailles
Tired of Paris, the Sun King (Louis XIV enjoyed likening himself to Apollo, God of the arts, peace and the sun!) commissioned architects Louis le Vau and Jules Hardouin to construct the château of Versailles in 1668, at the exact location of his father's small hunting lodge. It became the largest palace in Europe, accommodating approximately 20 000 courtiers at a time. Charles Le Brun, the painter, designed the interior, whose highlights would be the Royal Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors. The Grand Trianon (1687) and the Petit Trianon (1762) are also in the park. The former, built in stone and marble, housed Louis XIV's mistress, whilst the latter, a small manor house, was home to Louis XV's mistress.
Paris Place Vendôme
Follow the Rues de Castiglione and de la Paix to one of the most renowned squares in Paris. Intricately linked with the historical past of France since its creation in 1685, this architectural jewel was commissioned by King Louis XIV and designed by Jules-Hardouin Mansart. The arcades of the remarkably fronted mansions that surround the square form a sort of intimate salon in the heart of the capital. Unsurprisingly, it was adopted by Paris' aristocracy.
Prestigious banks and the emblems of French elegance still cluster throughout the Austerlitz column that Napoléon erected. Labels of luxury such as Chaumet, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Guerlain, Chanel rule the roost. Whilst you're here, stop at the Ritz hotel or perhaps the Palais de l'Elysée (the President's residence). Yes, this really is the home of luxury, elegance, and power.
Paris Disneyland
Doing its American cousins proud, this French addition to the family is spreading a bit more of the Disney magic around. Drop by and see Sleeping Beauty's castle and meet Mickey Mouse, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or even the pirates from Peter Pan. Young children will enjoy the razzamatazz of the Disney parade, while teens might choose to pick out their favourite rides while touring the site on the park's own mini railway. In July and August the park stays open late and there are fireworks every evening at 11pm
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