Palais Royal

Enchanted by Rue de Rivoli, with its lanterns and exquisit shops, we enter the courtyard of Palais Royal… It began as a small and private theater in the residence of Cardinal Richelieu who was passionate for the theater, and also built near the palace the Comédie Française. Today it hosts the Conseil d’Etat and the Ministry of Culture.

You can spend a wonderful afternoon in the gardens of the palace, where water and colors play, offering a unique show. The modern decorations were added in 1986 when the sculptor Buren installed black and white striped columns. Whilst perhaps not to everyone’s taste the mix of 20th century sculpture with the immortal classicism of the 18th century building ensures that this magnificent building continues to evolve and enchant.

Métro : Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre
Official website : www.palaisroyal.com
Personal suggestion : continue your trip to the Forum les Halles

Louvre

Every tourist coming to Paris has to see the Louvre… A palace so grandious that it makes you feel so small, but its elegance will definetly touch you. Everywhere your turn, your eyes are enchanted by the sculptures that look down on you from every corner. The Louvre hugs you with his two huge arms, and invites you to dance on his hallways, while admiring the most famous works of art on the planet.

The first “Castel of the Louvre” was founded in 1190 by Philippe Auguste, as a fortified royal palace to defend the city against Viking attacks. The Louvre we see today was started in 1535 in the Rennaissance style. The many kings that took the crown of France made significant changes to the palace, and today we can distinguish 3 pavilions: in the center we have Pavillion Sully, on the left we have Pavillion Richelieu, and on the right Pavillion Denon.

The controversed Pyramide du Louvre sits right in the middle of the courtyard, defying some, enchanting others… Built from the request of french president François Mitterand, it was designed by Ieoh Ming Pei and inaugurated in 1989.







Métro: Louvre – Rivoli
Official website: www.louvre.fr
Personal Suggestion: take Rue de Rivoli than Rue de Richelieu to get to the Palais Royal.

Place de la Concorde & Tuileries

It is said to be one of the busiest squares in the world, with a crazy traffic and a lot of noise... But Place de la Concorde is the largest square in Paris. Coming down from Rue Royale it opens up before your eyes like a mixture of greateness and light. The biggest achievement of the Enlightenment in the capital, Place de la Concorde has a rather rough history. First named Place Louis XV it was one of the key points during the Revolution and held in its center the guillotine that executed in particular Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, Danton, Robespierre and 2800 others between 1793 and 1795. Now, the square hosts the great Obélisque de Luxor, given by the viceroy of Egypt, Mohamed Ali, to Louis Philippe, and two golden fountains that seam wrapped in fairy tales.






The Tuileries Garden is the most central park in Paris. Designed in 1664 by Le Notre, the architect of king of France Louis XIV, the Tuileries garden is spread with basins and statues, lovely cafés where you can read a nice book, or you can just sit around the big pond, watch the ducks and enjoy the people walking around... It's one of the favourite spots to relax for parisians, a very fashionable esplanade between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, an oasis in downtown Paris...





Métro: Concorde / Tuileries
Website : Paris.fr
Personal suggestion : continue with Place du Carrousel to The Louvre

La Madeleine

At the end of Rue Royale rises in all its grace L'église de la Madeleine. Built as a temple for the glory of Napoleon's army, La Madeleine has the look of a greek sanctuary. But when you approach those mighty columns, an unsual scent strikes you... An aroma of the mediterranean spirit, the odour of sicilian skin and spanish passion... SAGE. An incence commemorating all the victories of the grand emperor. If you get swept away by that romantic air that floats around Paris, La Madeleine is the most fashionable wedding church... And if you wish to test it, maybe you're lucky enough to hear a reahearsal inside the cathedral, with the wonderful pipe-organ, and a sublime chorus. Talking about weddings, you cannot come to Paris without visitind La Madeleine Flower Market. Just around the corner, the most spectacular floral arangements are presented to you by Les fleurs de Marie Antoinette or Jardin de la Madeleine.








Métro : Madeleine
Official website : http://www.eglise-lamadeleine.com/
Personal suggestion : follow Rue Royale to the Place de la Concorde.

Opéra Garnier

When you come out of the subway station, the Opéra Garnier sits right behind you... Everyone is looking, their heads facing the sky, a special glow in their eyes. And no, it's not because of the romance in Paris, but of the gold... An homage to all the brilliant minds of music, the Opera is covered in gold... Built between 1862-1875, its architect was Charles Garnier. Legend has it that the Empress Eugénie asked Garnier whether the building was to be in Greek or Roman style to which he replied ``It is in the Napoléon III style Madame !'' With a ceiling painted in 1964 by Chagall, the opera house now hosts mainly ballet shows, after the construction of the modern Opéra de Bastille in 1989.


Around the Opera there's always a humming, people passing in a rush, elegant ladies shopping in the most expensive and famous boutiques in the world. Cartier, Bvulgari, Boucheron, Omega, Swatch... you name it, it's there! If you remember the movie Paris - when it sizzles with Audrey Hepburn, than you feel the atmosphere. Walking around the Opera is all about elegance, raffinement, class... So if you feel like going all parisian, wear a fancy hat, put on your Chanel No5 and be happy !









Métro : Opéra
Official website : http://www.operadeparis.fr/
Personal suggestion : follow Rue de la Paix, all the way to the Place Vendôme, than on Rue des Capucines, to the La Madeleine