Paris (part 1), France
With so much to do in the 4 days we spent in Paris, I've decided to separate it in 4 different areas: Montmartre, Paris (part 1), Paris (part 2) and Versailles.
We've decided not to queue to climb it, but we definitely made the best of it by exploring the area from all different angles of the tower.
Located in Champs de Mars, this 330 meters high tower was built by Gustave Eiffel as the centrepiece of the 1899 World's Fair, to celebrate 100th anniversary of French Revolution.
Before our trip I read somewhere that it's a perfect place to have a picnic and advising to get the food from Rue Cler, which is nearby. Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best for a picnic, but we did go to Rue Cler and had our lunch there.
Unfortunately is hard to get a good picture with so many tourists everywhere, as it happens in all the touristic places in Paris.
Previously to Palais de Chaillot, Palais du Trocadéro was built for the 1878 World's Fair and used mostly as a meeting space during the fair. After World War II, Palais de Chaillot became the headquarters of the United Nations and it was in here that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948. After the UN moved in the early 1950s, the building became home to several museums.
Jardin de Tuileries is one of the most ornate and lush gardens, only a step away from the Louvre and a distant view of the Arc de Thriomphe.
With its beautiful gardens, ornated ponds and fountains, a great collection of outdoor sculptures, it was once a royal and imperial garden, becoming a public space after the French Revolution.
Nowadays, very popular with Parisians and tourists, it's a great place to hang out and watch the world go by.
Located on the right bank of the Seine, just next to Jardin des Tuileries, stands this magnificent landmark.
Once the former royal residence of the Kings of France as well as a royal fortress, the former Louvre Palace is now one of the world's largest museums and home to thousands of famous art works.
Its name means "agreement" and it's one of the major squares in Paris. Although it was intended to glorify King Louis XV, more than a 1000 people were executed here during the French Revolution, including Louis XIV, Marie-Antoinette, Danton and Robespierre.
The Obelix of Luxor, a diplomatic gift from Pasha Muhammad Ali, Ottoman ruler of Egypt, early 19th century, was placed to mark the spot where the guillotine stood during the French Revolution.
Built by ancient Egyptians and believed to be around 3300 years old, The Obelix of Luxor is the world's biggest sundial at 23 meters tall and weights 230 tones.
Avenue des Champs-Elysées
Almost 2 km long, this avenue is considered the most beautiful street in Paris and connects Place du Concorde to the Arc du Triomphe.
Parallel to the avenue on both sides, are the Jardins des Champs-Elysées, a tranquil setting of gardens, fountains and a couple of gourmet restaurants.
The avenue is lined with trees and it is a place to stroll along enjoying the atmosphere. It is one of the most exclusive and expensive shopping areas in the world, with upmarket restaurants and high-end stores such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Cartier, and the famous Galleries Lafayette with its neo-byzantine windows and splendid glass Coupole, rising to a height of 43 meters, which can be seen from across the city.
It took us a couple of hours to walk along the avenue, but if you are planning on exploring the parks and monuments as well it could easily take all day.
At the top of the Champs-Elysées, on the Place d'Étoile, is the Arc du Triomphe, a national symbol.
It stands 50 meters high and is an important example of 18th century neo-classicist architecture, honouring those who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars.
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