When you have so many places on your list to visit and only one day left 🙂 It’s always challenging :))
So, we get up early and started our day from visiting the Palace of Versailles. It took us about 45 min by car to get here from Paris.
The Palace of Versailles is really famous architecture masterpiece in France, so don’t skip it! Even if you are not interested in works of art, furniture and history…you can find inside, it worth the effort to wander the grounds and surrounding gardens. We’re glad to have a chance to be here and to see this magnificent piece of architecture.
Louis XIV “Sun King” spent more than 50 years transforming and expanding his farther’s small hunting lodge and finally a former hunting lodge at Versailles became Europe’s most magnificent palace and symbol of absolute power of “Sun King”. It’s really spectacular inside and out.
The palace is an great example of French Classicism and became a standard for all European royal courts in the 17th century.
The palace is a tremendous building complex, but behind it you’ll find the even greater formal French gardens: decorative pools with fountains and statue, flower beds…
and of cause tidy lawns and perfectly trimmed shrubbery, shaped in geometric patterns, so classic characteristic of French formal gardens! It’s time to stroll around aimlessly, just to enjoy gardens. For me personally, gardens are also an outstanding piece of artwork 🙂
The Palace of Versailles is so wonderful place to get lost and soak up the lifestyle of France’s monarchy.
We are heading to the city center now to park our car. Our plan is to explore city on foot!
Do you know that there are four triumphal arches in Paris? 🙂
Here is one of them- The Porte Saint-Denis. It was the first of the four triumphal arches built in Paris. Three others were: The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and The Porte Saint-Martin.
We are on the Island of the City!
We are heading to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris and here is the Palais de Justice on our way. This palace is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Paris, it suffered several fires and was partly rebuilt in the late 1800s. Even if don’t know the history of French law, take a minute to stop and admire this glamorous building. By the way, here is free admission to the public areas 🙂
One more thing you can admire on the Island of the City is The Conciergerie. A huge clock tower and tree round towers look like a fairy-tale castle, but !!! this is medieval fortress, the infamous prison of the French Revolution 😦 Marie-Antoinette and Robespierre were kept in dark cells here while awaiting their fates. The Conciergerie is a museum now, so it’s open to the public.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the symbols of Paris, it stands in the heart of the city, so you can’t miss it!
It’s really a masterpiece of Gothic architecture! Standing in front of it I have great memories from French novel – The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (by Victor Hugo).
The cathedral is famous for it’s terrific stained glass windows…
… and of cause gargoyles!
In April of 2019, a fire caused considerable damage to the cathedral. Nowadays interior is closed to the public but still you can see this magnificent from outside. Definitely visit it when you’re in Paris!
We are exploring city on foot, but I believe one more very romantic way is to take a boat cruise along the Seine River. You can enjoy the sights from the viewpoint of a riverboat, it’s really a different perspective.
Paris in spring…., hmmm it has it’s special aroma 🙂
We are moving further and here is The Louvre on our way 🙂 It’s not just a museum!!! It’s really a gigantic building complex that used to be the home of France’s Kings. The great royal palace!!!
The famous Louvre Museum is one of the largest art museums, located inside the palace grounds. The main and most popular entrance to the museum is via the glass pyramid 🙂 (buy your ticket in an advance to get direct access through the glass pyramid without queuing)
It is impossible to see it all in one visit, so a little forward planning about what you want to see is a must:) Here is a good option to take a self-guided tour to see the Louvre Museum’s highlights.
The most popular piece in the museum – Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa, but remember, that she is crowded with people anytime the museum is open 🙂
If you are here, enjoy beautiful park – Jardin du Palais-Royal.
A good place to relax, make some photos and enjoy the scenery.
Go a bit further and get to the one of the loveliest park in Paris – the Jardin des Tuileries. It’s a huge French classical style public garden located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde.
Have a stroll along the central gravel path, rest near the central pond, sit on chair and take a break from crowded sightseeing attractions, get a snack in the outdoor cafe… opportunities are endless 🙂
Go into the smaller gardens with perfectly manicured trees and statues. It’s really an excellent spot to have a rest!
Our next stop is the Place de la Concorde, very impressive octagonal square with the great history. By the way it was part of Napoleon’s triumphal route and the place of execution of King Louis XVI. Nowadays it’s touristic place with the big Ferris wheel during summer days.
From the Place de la Concorde runs famous avenue – The Champs -Elysées. It’s almost 2 km walk to the Arc du Triomphe.
There is plenty to see along the avenue: prestigious establishments, upscale designer stores, luxury hotels and shops, cinemas, theaters, restaurants and plenty of cafes. This bustling area really attract many tourists.
Half of our walk I was dancing and singing Joe Dassin song ” Les Champs -Elysées” 🙂
The Arc de Triomphe stands at the far end of the Champs-Élysées. It’s dedicated to the soldiers who fought in the French armies of the Revolution and the First Empire (Napoleonic Wars). On the inner and outer surfaces of the Arc you can find the names of all French victories and generals. There is Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I beneath the Arc. What more? Here is a viewing platform with perfect panoramic views on the top of the monument 🙂
Of cause our trip wouldn’t be complete without a photo with the Eiffel Tower! 🙂
The icon of the City of Lights. Probably it’s the most visited tourist attraction in Paris.
It’s really a magical attraction for every visitor to the French capital, but queues to take a lift up the tower to the second or third levels are huge, so if this is something you really want to do – book it ahead! (restaurant with amazing panoramas is also very popular and reservations need to be made months in advance)
Visiting the top level probably is one of the most thrilling things to do in Paris, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Be brave, do it!
The end of this story 🙂
Tomorrow will be new day and new emotions:)
See you tomorrow 🙂
Don’t sit at home. Travel! Travel with me! 🙂 Meaww!
Previous day …Paris. Day 1. Montmartre. The Sacré-Coeur. Moulin Rouge …
go and travel with me 