The Hôtel de Ville in Paris is often considered one of the city’s most beautiful buildings. Its elaborate architecture, white stone façade, and soaring towers catch the eye, especially as the sunlight shifts at dusk. The magic of the building can sometimes go unnoticed from the busy square in front, but it comes alive in the evening light.
Watching the colors change on the Hôtel de Ville’s rooftops and spires is a favorite activity for many. Some choose to admire this view from a café on the Ile de St. Louis, such as the Lutece, where the sunset transforms the cityscape into a painting. Others head to the Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville (BHV) department store on Rue de Rivoli. From the store’s roof terrace, just a short climb by stairs, visitors are rewarded with sweeping views of the Hôtel de Ville’s dramatic roof, the surrounding neighborhoods, and the Seine River below.
The current Hôtel de Ville is not the original. The first building, dating from the 16th century, was destroyed by fire in 1871 during the Paris Commune. The present structure, completed mainly by 1882, is a grand reconstruction designed by architects Ballu and Deperthes, chosen after a competition. Larger than its predecessor, the building features lavish decorations inside and out. The use of brilliant white stone links it visually with other Paris landmarks, such as the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
A statue along the south garden wall honors Etienne Marcel, a historical figure who served as "provost of merchants," an early version of the city’s mayor. His story ended tragically in 1358 when he was lynched by an angry crowd for attempting to increase the city’s power. Over the years, the Hôtel de Ville has played host to major figures and events. It was famously the power base for Jacques Chirac, former mayor of Paris and later president of France, whose tenure brought both political success and scandal. The building was also the scene where General de Gaulle greeted joyful Parisians after the city’s liberation in 1944 and where Robespierre was seized in 1794 during the French Revolution.
Those who admire the grand style of the Hôtel de Ville may be interested to know that Théodore Ballu, one of its architects, also designed the Church of La Trinité in the 9th arrondissement. Ballu’s hand can also be seen in the belfry of the town hall of the 1st arrondissement, located across from the Louvre’s eastern façade. He is also responsible for the restoration of the Tour St Jacques, a medieval tower that was uncovered after many years of careful work.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel_de_Ville,_Paris
Recently reconstructed, the Paris branch of the National Maritime Museum, one of the three museums in the Palais du Chaillot, cannot accommodate any full-size ships, but has a wide range of smaller artifacts, artworks and models, covering both the Navy and commercial shipping.
Opened in January 2005, the Holocaust Memorial comprises a major documentation centre and a wall bearing 76,000 names of Jews deported from France to the Nazi camps between 1942-1944. Includes an archive of a million artefacts, including 55,000 photographs. Excursions are run from the memorial to French internment camp sites such as Drancy.
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The bridge is widely regarded as the most ornate, extravagant bridge in the city. It is classified as a French Monument historique.
Numerous artists paint portraits of tourists and also sell their paintings.
The Jewish quarter, with many small delis and shops. Lively on most days except for Saturdays.
Most of the works by Picasso and others which were in the master's possession at the time of his death are now on display here.
The Palais de Tokyo is Paris's largest specialist contemporary art exhibition venue, owned and operated by the national government. The building dates to 1937 and also includes the Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris.
An ancient Roman theater, the only surviving above-ground ruins of the Gallo-Roman era in Paris (ancient Lutetia, French Lutèce) apart from the nearby Thermes de Cluny. The theatre could hold approximately 15,000 spectators and measures some 132 m x 100 m. Built sometime in the 2nd century CE, the location of the actor's dressing room, the platform of the stage, and lapidary remains can still be seen. The remains were rediscovered in 1869, when new streets were being built. An excavation was subsequently ordered in 1883. The theatre has been preserved as a quiet archaeological park removed from the bustle of Parisian streets.
Considered one of the most colourful Parisian parks, a local favourite, the Parc Montsouris was opened in 1878, having been designed by Alphand for Baron Haussmann. A large man-made lake and waterfalls are surrounded by long stretches of gently sloping lawns. Bronze statues are to be found studding the grounds, amongst the 1,400 trees, including such exotic varieties as the giant sequoia and the ginkgo. The park is featured in the film Cléo de 5 à 7. It is popular among families (there are two playground areas for children) and students.
A sculpture by Auguste Rodin in memory of the French novelist Honoré Balzac. The artwork is sometimes considered the first truly modern sculpture.
This charming museum is owned by the French Académie des Beaux-Arts. Its main collection areas, the result of several large donations, include: First Empire art and furnishings; illuminated manuscripts; and Impressionist art, including the largest Monet collection in the world and works by Renoir, Manet, Morisot, Caillebotte and Gauguin.
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An industrial design museum in Paris that houses the collection of the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (National Conservatory of Arts and Industry), which was founded in 1794 as a repository for the preservation of scientific instruments and inventions.
The oldest church in Paris, founded in the year 542 by King Childebert. The church as it exists today dates mainly from the 11th century, the period in which it became the center of a powerful Benedictine abbey. The Revolution witnessed the suppression of the abbey in 1794, when most of the monastic buildings were put to the torch. Earlier, 318 priests had been hacked to death nearby by a mob on 3 September 1792. The church underwent significant restoration in the 19th century, ensuring the preservation of the building, which by that date represented a fascinating mix of styles: 6th century marble columns placed alongside Gothic vaults and supported by Romanesque arches. Famous burials within the church include René Descartes (philosopher), Nicolas Boileau (poet) and King John Casimir of Poland, who had become (in 1669, before his death) abbot of the church's monastery.
A museum of contemporary art. It was founded in 1984 by the well-known jewel and watch manufacturer, Cartier. In 1994 it moved to the new building erected on plans of the architect Jean Nouvel.
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Those who are unfamiliar with conceptual art sometimes don't know quite what to expect, or how to approach it. Such travellers should rest assured that the curators at the Pompidou Centre have assembled a marvellous introduction consisting of mostly approachable works which delight, amuse, and entertain. The art is far from the only reason for a visit, as the building also contains a vast public library and a fine restaurant (run by the Costes brothers) on the roof. In fact the place is literally surrounded by some of the nicest pavement cafés in the city, in its superb location between the car-free above ground part of Forum Les Halles and the Marais art district.
a Roman Catholic church on the east side of the Place Saint-Sulpice within the rue Bonaparte, in the Luxembourg Quarter of the VIe arrondissement. At 113 metres long, 58 metres in width and 34 metres tall, it is only slightly smaller than Notre-Dame and thus the second largest church in the city. It is dedicated to Sulpitius the Pious. During the 18th century, an elaborate gnomon, the Gnomon of Saint-Sulpice, was constructed in the church. In front of the church itself is the magnificent Place Saint-Sulpice which contains the 'Fountain of the Four Bishops'. The church has a long-standing tradition of talented organists that dates back to the eighteenth century. In 1862, Aristide Cavaillé-Coll reconstructed and improved the existing organ built by François-Henri Clicquot. Though using many materials from Clicquot's French Classical organ, it is considered to be Cavaillé-Coll's magnum opus, featuring 102 speaking stops, and is perhaps the most impressive instrument of the romantic French symphonic-organ era. Its organists have also been renowned, starting with Nicolas Séjan in the 18th century, and continuing with Charles-Marie Widor (organist 1870-1933) and Marcel Dupré (organist 1934-1971), both great organists and composers of organ music. The current organists are 'titulaire' Daniel Roth (since 1985) and 'assistant titulaire' Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin. In Saint-Sulpice Sunday organ recitals are held on a regular basis (Auditions du Dimanche, following the High Mass, usually from 11:30am till 12:05pm, during the subsequent mass, a visit of the organ loft is possible).
Paris's international exhibition centre (the 4th largest in Europe) has millions of visitors annually.