The Palais-Royal in Paris has a history stretching back to the early 17th century. Ordered by Cardinal de Richelieu, who served as King Louis XIII’s prime minister, its construction began in 1629 and finished in 1636. Originally, it was called the Palais Cardinal, a name reflecting Richelieu’s influence at court. After his death, the palace changed hands and soon became known as the Palais Royal when Queen Anne of Austria, the wife of Louis XIII, chose to reside there. Her decision was largely motivated by a desire for privacy away from the bustling Louvre Palace.
The palace’s story is closely linked to French royalty. Louis XIV, the Sun King, lived here during his youth before relocating the royal court to the grand estate of Versailles. Beyond its royal associations, the Palais-Royal played a role in the events that shaped modern France. In 1789, in the midst of the French Revolution, Camille Desmoulins famously addressed a crowd here, inspiring a key moment in the revolutionary movement. Near the palace stands the Théatre Français, an iconic theater constructed in 1716 that added to the area’s reputation as a center of art and culture.
Surrounded by elegant arcades and classical architecture, the Jardins du Palais Royal offer a peaceful escape right in the middle of the city. These gardens are enclosed by the palace’s buildings, creating a unique and intimate space. Inside the garden, visitors find several restaurants, including the renowned Le Grand Véfour, which has welcomed guests for centuries.
In contrast to the traditional 17th-century architecture, visitors can also see the Colonnes de Buren, a striking contemporary art installation. These striped columns, set in the central courtyard, have sparked discussion and stirred opinions since their arrival, making them a modern landmark within historic surroundings.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais-Royal
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.
Opened in 2006, this is the newest and the most modern of Paris' great museums, housing an outstanding collection of tribal art, with a particular emphasis on France's former (and present) territories in Oceania and Africa. The museum is large and you can easily spend half a day browsing, especially if you pause to explore the multimedia presentations.
The official residence of the President of France since 1848. Dating to the early 18th century, it contains the office of the President and the meeting place of the Council of Ministers. It is located near the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, the name Élysée deriving from Elysian Fields, the place of the blessed dead in Greek mythology. Not open to the public, except occasionally during the annual National Heritage Days (usually a weekend in mid-September). Important foreign visitors are hosted at the nearby Hôtel de Marigny, a palatial residence.
St. Geneviève was responsible for saving Paris from the Huns in 451 and her shrine in the church has been a popular place of pilgrimage ever since. The church as it stands dates from between 1492 and 1626 and is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. A unique feature is the Renaissance rood screen, the sole survivor in the city.
For a taste of the French countryside, a visit to Bercy Village brings to life the spirit of market shopping inside Paris.
Visitable only by reservation and then only one Saturday every month. A richly decorated palace built for Marie de Medici in the early 17th century, which is now the French Senate. For those interested in seeing a Parisian monument normally unavailable to the public, or for those interested in the inner workings of the French Government. The large Luxembourg Garden is open to the public year-round. The garden is home to the Medici fountain, a children's playground, and vintage toy boats for hire that children push around in the Grand Bassin duck pond (a 90-year tradition).
Part gallery - part restaurant - part nightclub, La Cite (Les Docks) is a modern building that is instantly recognisable due to being draped on one side with a large neon green shell covering the stairwells and roof the building. Roughly translated in English as The City of Fashion and Design, this is a trendy spot at the weekends and is used for event like Paris Design Week. The restaurant in the building is open all year round.
The house in which the famous French novelist Victor Hugo once lived.
An indoor sports arena that seats around 17,000 for sports and slightly over 20,000 for major concerts; formerly known as Palais des Omnisports de Paris-Bercy and Bercy Arena. Home to numerous concerts and major sporting events, most notably the Paris Masters tournament on the ATP World Tour in men's tennis.
Beautiful round "square" with an equestrian statue of King Louis XIV and matching 17th century buildings.
Try to visit the cabinet des Médailles.
The foundation opened its doors in May 2003. It preserves Henri Cartier-Bresson and Martine Franck’s archives. Exhibition of photographs, paintings, sculptings, and illustrations.
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.
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 building has a freely accessible rooftop which allows for a beautiful bird's-eye view of the northern half of Paris.
The ancient medieval fortress and prison of the city's island, site of some remarkable medieval royal architecture and the scene of Marie Antoinette's imprisonment in the period leading to her execution in 1793; lots of revolutionary associations.
Founded in 1671 by Louis XIV as a hospital for 6,000 wounded soldiers—this function explaining the name of the building—the golden-domed Hôtel des Invalides still functions as an infirmary and now also houses the Musée de l'Armée. The church attached, l'Eglise du Dôme, houses the tomb of Napoleon.
Private collection of French, Italian, Dutch masterpieces in a typical XIXth century mansion.
A monument to the French art de vivre, housed in a 19th-century wing of the Louvre that has been restored to beaux-arts splendour, its galleries and period rooms showcase eight centuries of Gallic taste in interior decoration.