Travelers from all over the world dream at least once in their life to visit a country praised by numerous poets and artists as one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the world that has preserved the richest culture and centuries-old traditions. We are talking about France - a country that has become a symbol of love, beauty, sophistication and a unique historical heritage. Paris is the historical center of the country, where the most famous sights of France are located in large numbers. Not sure what to see in France? Be sure to read this review of the most interesting places in this amazing country.
1. The Catacombs of Paris
The Catacombs of Paris - a network of underground tunnels 1.5 km long on the site of ancient Roman quarries near Paris. In the period from the end of the 18th century to the middle of the 19th century, the remains of about six million people were brought here. The total area of the underground cemetery is 11,000 m².
Starting descending into the dungeon, you will pass 130 steps, going 20 meters inland along a spiral staircase, and feeling a gradual decrease in temperature (below it constantly keeps +14).
Below you will find yourself on the threshold of the kingdom of spirits, but you still have to go along the narrow long corridor, which is constantly branching out, inviting you to turn right or left. But you need to follow your group, without leaving the tourist zone, so that the police brigade does not issue you a fine of at least 60 euros.
Passing several halls, you find yourself in a crypt, on the sides of which, like guards, there are black and white columns, resembling a monastic robe, and on the beam between them you can read: “Stop! The Empire of Death is here. ” At this moment, one more quote is invariably remembered: “Give up hope every one who comes here!”.
Such warnings only encourage the further look at the Catacombs of Paris, despite other signs warning of the fury of life.
Moving on, involuntarily penetrate the atmosphere reigning inside, listening to the uniform rustling of gravel under your feet, lonely drops somewhere far away. Dim yellowish lighting and empty eye sockets of six million local inhabitants make you think about death in all its manifestations.
But once all these skulls and bones were living people who dreamed, loved, cried, feared, suffered, made plans, regretted something or rejoiced, laughed.
2. The castle Shambora or Shambora castle
The castle Shambora or Shambora castle - one of the castles of the Loire. It was built by order of Francis I, who wanted to be closer to his beloved lady, Countess Turi, who lived nearby.
The central building is a 5-story donjon with east and west wings. On each floor there are 4 square and 4 round rooms. The interiors of the castle Chambord are made in the spirit of the French Renaissance. In the castle of impressive size there are only 426 rooms, but almost all of them are empty. Only a few halls preserved medieval decoration.
The most remarkable detail in the interior of Chambord Castle is a spiral staircase in the form of a double helix. There is a version that the author of the idea is the famous Leonardo da Vinci. The main feature is that those who go up and down the stairs do not intersect with each other. According to one of the legends, such a course of construction was coined by the whim of the king. Francis I was famous for his love stories and that his mistresses did not accidentally meet in the castle, numerous stairs create a kind of maze. Indeed, there are only 77 stairs in the castle, where you can get confused and even get lost.
The area occupied by the castle of Chambord is 5440 hectares. In the park forests that were originally intended for hunting, to this day there is a game - a bird, deer and wild boar. Hunting is not prohibited here, but this privilege is available only to the local elite. For tourists, the forest is a closed area surrounded by a 32-kilometer wall. There is a short period when you can visit the forest area accompanied by a guide (in late September - early October).
On the territory of the castle there are several souvenir shops offering a huge amount of memorable little things pleasant to the heart, ranging from key chains and ending with French delicacies. There is also a large store with several departments inside the castle. There you can buy decor and tableware, posters and posters, jewelry, books, both on the history of France and on the castle as a whole, DVDs and CDs, stationery, souvenirs, perfumes, textiles and much more.
The play “Chambord - a dream and lights” is a unique night performance, combining sound and light together. On the northern facade of the castle, using the latest achievements of digital technology, demonstrates an amazing video show, accompanied by audio effects.
3. Pont du Gard
Pont du Gard is the highest preserved ancient Roman aqueduct. Thrown across the Gardon River in the French department of Gard near Remoulans. The length is 275 meters, the height is 47 meters. Monument of UNESCO World Heritage.
Pont du Gard crosses the Gardon River Gorge in the vicinity of the Roman city of Nemaus, which the French call Nimes today. The Romans lined up the Pont du Gard in the 1st century. ne to supply the city with water coming from the same natural source where the world famous Perrier brand now takes water. The aqueduct bridge is only part of a 50-kilometer-long water supply system that transports water from a spring to the city of Nîmes without a single pump. Roman engineers used the simplest measurements and calculations so that the water supply system would gradually descend from the source to the city and the water would flow through it itself due to the action of gravity.
Pont du Gard is an example of the skill of ancient architects. Separate blocks, each weighing up to 6 tons, were laid into the masonry without any visible application of mortar — according to a method known as “opus quadrature.” The Romans additionally strengthened the structure, somewhat changing the standard order of laying facing. Instead of alternating halves and whole blocks in each row, they laid out alternately a row of whole blocks and a row of halves. This greatly increased the strength of the building as a whole due to some freedom of movement.
The supports of the lower and middle tiers are exactly on top of each other in order not to burden the arched spans with additional weight. The width of the spans gradually decreases in both directions from the middle of the aqueduct to the shores in order to correspondingly reduce the weight carried by each arch. Giant key stones weigh 6 tons each. They are hewn with great care and put in their places.
The three tiers of the Pont du Gard rise to a height of 49 m and have 52 arches. The lowest tier consists of 6 arches, its total length is 142 m, height is 22 m, and width is 6 m. The middle tier of 11 arches is 242 m long, 20 m high and only 4 m wide. The upper tier through which the water supply system is has 275 m, height 7 m and width 3 m. The channel for water laid out in stone was supported by 35 relatively small arches. This channel 1.2 m wide and 1.8 m deep is still in good condition. The gradient of its descent is about 19 cm per 1 km. At one time, he delivered 20,000 cu. m of water.
Today the Pont du Gard is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the south of France. And on it you can still walk across the Gardon River.
4. Marseille Field
Marseille Field is a public park in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, between the Eiffel Tower from the northwest and the Military School from the southeast. Located in the western part of the city, on the left bank of the Seine.
Today it is a favorite place for tourists and the Parisians themselves, who come here in fine days to lie on a green lawn at the feet of the "mistress of the clouds" - the Eiffel Tower. It is always crowded even at night. It is necessary for a daytime star to disappear over the horizon, a completely different one begins, the nightlife is bright, playful, playful, noisy, reckless. Parks and architectural sights bathe in colorful illumination, reflecting in the calm and calm waters of the Seine.
Looking at the expanses of the Field of Mars, walking along its alleys among tourists and locals, admiring the exhibits at the next exhibition at the world exhibition, one cannot believe that the Field of Mars is just a military parade and a place for parades of students and teachers of the Military School. Nevertheless, this is exactly the function that the Field of Mars has performed since the mid-18th century. Later on the field was a lot of historical, great events.
In 2012, the United Buddy Bears international exhibition took place at the Champ de Mars in Paris. The guests were presented 140 two-meter bears, each of which symbolized a separate state. Buddy Bears is a symbol of peace, love, tolerance and international understanding. The exhibition has been held annually since 2004, each time in a new point on the planet.
The park regularly organizes gala concerts with world-class stars. One of these concerts gathered in 2015 more than six thousand people.
Sights
Wall of the World - an architectural composition in the form of a nine-meter pavilion with 32 columns, built of glass, wood and metal. On its walls the word "world" repeated in different languages
Military School (École Militaire) - founded in 1751 at the direction of Louis XV. In the classrooms today and teach military craft
The Eiffel Tower is a metal construction built to the Paris World Exhibition of 1889. Considered the main symbol of Paris and one of the most visited attractions in the world.
Swan Island - a small artificial island on the Seine, created in 1825 as a dam, in our time plays the role of the foundation for the bridge bridge Bir-Hakeim. In the western part of the island is a smaller copy of the Statue of Liberty.
The Monument des Droits de l’homme, a monument to the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, has been on the Champs de Mars since 1989, and was erected on the occasion of the bicentenary of the revolution. The monument resembles an ancient Egyptian temple with four bronze sculptures.
Equestrian monument to Marshal Joseph Joffrey
5. The Montparnasse Tower
The Montparnasse Tower is a skyscraper located in the 15th arrondissement of the French capital Paris. The height of the skyscraper is 60 floors, height - 210 m. The second highest building in the Paris region. The construction of a skyscraper was carried out from 1969 to 1972.
The Montparnasse Tower is the second tallest building in Paris after the Eiffel Tower, which impresses with its parameters:
building height - 210 meters;
number of floors - 59;
building weight - 150,000 tons;
underground levels - 6;
steps - 1306;
facade area - 40,000 m2;
total area - 120,000 m2;
foundation height - 70 meters;
number of elevators - 25;
the speed of the fastest elevator is 5 m / s.
Montparnasse Tower invites visitors to see the magnificent Parisian panorama, which opens from two observation platforms: covered on the 56th floor and a panoramic terrace in the open. The ideal location of the skyscraper allows you to see the architectural ensemble of Paris with an overview of 360 ° and at a distance of 40 km in clear weather.
Montparnasse is considered the best viewing platform of the city, because it is here that there is an opportunity to see the so-called "iron lady" of Paris from a bird's-eye view. The view of the French capital is impressive at any time of the day.
Inside the tower of Montparnasse rages its own life. Here are the offices of large companies that employ more than 5,000 people. On the upper floors of the skyscraper are branded shops, conference rooms, cafes and a free exhibition of 185 archival photos.
The viewing platforms are equipped with interactive devices that provide information about all the sights of Paris in a game form.
Extend the pleasure of the impressions received on the viewing platform in the exclusive gastronomic restaurant Le Ciel de Paris.
In winter, on the outdoor terrace you can ride on the highest Parisian skating rink.
Having listed so many advantages of the Parisian skyscraper, the question arises whether it does not surpass the famous symbol of France in significance and impressions. It is rather difficult to compare the Montparnasse Tower and the Eiffel, since each of them is unique and has its own purpose. So, from the Eiffel Tower, you can only watch the view of the city and dine in one of two pathetic restaurants, and Montparnasse offers you ample opportunities to update your wardrobe, buy souvenirs, and also provides a greater choice of places for lunch.
However, the structure of the skyscraper itself is quite banal, so special aesthetes would rather want to take a closer look at the details of the Paris business card. An additional advantage to the choice of Montparnasse may be the absence or a very small queue for the purchase of tickets, as well as the opportunity to look at the legendary Eiffel Tower from the outside.
6. Rodin Museum
Rodin Museum - Art Museum in France, which is the largest collection of works by French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Opened in 1919. It has two branches: the hotel Biron and the surrounding areas and not far from Paris in the old house of Rodin, Villa de Brillants in Meudon.
The Rodin Museum in Paris is a large collection of works and collections of the famous French artist Auguste Rodin, located in a magnificent 18th century mansion in the middle of a green park. The Rodin Museum was opened to residents and guests of Paris on August 4, 1919. Currently, more than 700,000 people visit the museum annually, second only to the Louvre and the Orsay Museum. In addition to the mansion, located in the center of the capital of Paris, is part of the museum and the Villa de Brillants in Meudon, where the sculptor’s tomb is located.
The mansion, which houses the Rodin Museum in Paris, was built for the financier Abraham Peyranka de Moras. After his death, the widow sold the house to the future marshal Biron, who made many architectural and landscape changes so that the mansion and the territory next to it became one of the most beautiful buildings and parks in Paris. Marshal gave the mansion a name that is still used at the mention of the building - Hotel Biron. In 1908, Auguste Rodin rented 4 rooms at the Biron Hotel for sale. After the state bought the hotel, the artist began active negotiations with his official representatives. According to their results, a museum appeared in which the expositions were works of art, sculptures and various collections of Rodin, donated by the artist to the French state.
Almost all the best creations of Rodin are installed in the mansion park - the sculptures “The Thinker” and “Citizens of Kale”, one of the most famous works of the artist, “Gates of Hell”, “Beethoven”, “Ugolino”. In the building of the mansion, sixteen rooms are set aside for the exhibition of works presented by Rodin. So, in the halls of the first floor you can enjoy the masterpieces of the brilliant sculptor, such as "Kiss", "Eve", "Walking Man".
On the second floor you will see small sculptures of the master, as well as collections of engravings, paintings, and samples of applied art collected by him, including such great paintings as “Landscape in Belle Ile” by Claude Manet and “Papa Tanga” by Van Gogh.
In the garden of the museum there is a summer cafe, you can relax and gain strength for further inspection of the mansion, which usually takes several hours. And in the backyard of the museum there is a picturesque lake and a family restaurant, the culinary traditions of which will surprise you no less than a luxurious exposition.
Be sure to take a look at the chapel located nearby - today it presents the collection of ancient antiquities collected by Roden and periodically hosts exhibitions of works by modern sculptors.
7. Gorge du verdon
Verdon Gorge in the south-east of France is a river canyon, which is often considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. It is about 25 kilometers long and up to 700 meters deep.
Its slopes are rather steep and dangerous, but groups of brave souls are regularly sent along a narrow well-trodden path into the depths of the canyon. Adrenaline in the blood will further strengthen the impression of what he saw in the gorge: bare rocks hang from above, the Verdon River boils far below, and behind and ahead only a dangerous path. Emotions from such an adventure firmly sit down in your memory for long months and even years. But in the heart of the gorge one can feel the power and perpetual motion of nature with each cell.
However, if you have no desire to take risks, then you can walk along safe paths laid along the route of the Cornish Sublime. Above the gaze offers a beautiful view of the combination of gray rocks and hundreds of shades of green (almost, as in the title of a popular book). On hiking trails you will surely meet many tourists and artists who paint their canvases, so to speak, from nature.
Travelers are invited to walk along the paths, take a ride on a river in a rented canoe or catamaran, have a light snack in a cafe or take a dip in the refreshing water of Verdon. Fans of extreme sports can compete in the ability to dive beautifully - the depth of the river near the rocks is quite large. Do not forget that jumping from a cliff, above 3-5 meters - it is dangerous and without special skills it is better not to climb on the rampage.
The gorge du Verdon ends where Lake St. Croix begins. Although in reality this lake is not a lake at all, but an artificial reservoir formed as a result of the construction of a hydroelectric dam. Travelata - hypermarket tours
But we must admit that it fits amazingly into the surrounding landscape, and besides it is a popular holiday destination for those who like to swim and sunbathe. And so that they, as amateurs, could indulge their hobbies more comfortably, there were parking lots and beaches around the lake.
Verdon Gorge is quite a touristy place and due to the fact that it is quite close to the French Riviera, who like to come here for vivid impressions of the magnificent and spectacular views, as well as more extreme rest, such as mountaineering, sheer limestone walls of Verdon Canyon for This is the most suitable place, as well as for descending the Verdon River by kayak.
Passing through the Gorges du Verdon canyon you can see how it is cut by lime formations formed millions of years ago, and in some limestone mountains there are many caves. The walls of the gorge contain the remains of countless billions of invertebrates, of whose lime shells it is predominantly composed. The fact is that some 200 million years ago this region was completely covered by the sea, over time, during the geological process, limestone rose, the river formed as a result began to wash it, forming the Verdon canyon (Grand Canyon du Verdon), the gorge and many caves.
8. The Château de Chenonceau
The Château de Chenonceau is located near the small village of Chenonceau in the French department of Indre and Loire. Included in the number of locks, commonly called Loire castles. It has a “popular” name - “ladies' castle”. One of the most beloved, famous and visited castles of France.
This masterpiece is located in the “Center” region of France, in one of its departments called Indre and Loire. The castle, which makes a worthy "competition" for the residences of Wittelsbach and gloomy, but no less majestic architectural structures of Foggy Albion, is called Chenonceaux.
True, the castle does not belong to the state: it is still privately owned today, but its owners are not at all opposed to guests enjoying not only the luxury of the interior of the Château de Chenonceau, but also to see the beautiful garden and its picturesque surroundings. By the way, the castle of Chenonceau is often in many tourist avenues called colloquially "ladies' castle." He received this name by the people completely not by chance, because the destinies of many influential and, by the way, very beautiful women are connected with it.
Today, the castle of Chenonceau is fully restored and is open to the public. The office building houses the Wax Museum, which reproduces scenes from the life of the castle with some of the most famous historical characters. So, there you can see Catherine Boyer with the minstrels, Diana de Poitiers on the hunt, Henry II and Diane, Madame Dupin, the host of Rousseau and Voltaire, her own posing Nattie, and also a reproduction of the situation of the military hospital of 1914
At the entrance to the castle of Chenonceau stretched a magnificent alley of centuries-old plane trees, behind which once, during a celebration in honor of the accession of Charles IX to the throne, sirens, nymphs and satire hid.
Passing the drawbridge, you get to the terrace, surrounded by a moat. On the left is the Italian garden of Diana de Poitiers, on the right is Catherine de Medici Park. At the corner of the Courtyard rises medieval donjon - the oldest castle building, preserved from the old fortress. On it are the initials of Boye engraved: T.V.K. (Thomas Bohier and Katherine) and the inscription: “If anyone ever comes here, let him remember me.”
Chenonceau Castle consists of a rectangular main building with turrets at the corners. On the left there is a parking lot, a bookstore and a vault. On the bridge stretches two-story gallery of Catherine de Medici. On the ground floor there is the Hall of the Guard, adorned with Flemish tapestries of the XVI century. In the chapel is stored sculpture from Carrara marble "Madonna and Child". Next is the Green Hall of Catherine de Medici with tapestries, the room of Diana de Poitiers with an elegant fireplace, a gallery with paintings by Rubens, Primaticcio, Nattier and other artists.
On the second floor you can climb the stairs with direct marches (which in France at that time was an innovation). In addition to the ballroom, there is a gallery of tapestries with scenes of hunting and marble statues of Roman emperors brought by Catherine from Florence, the room of Gabriel d'Estre, Parade, or the room of the Five Queens and Queen Margot). All rooms are furnished and beautifully decorated.
Under the roofs was a small monastery with a drawbridge. In the buildings where there were royal stables and for the first time in France silkworms were grown, there is now a wax museum - the “Gallery of ladies”.
Finally, take a stroll through the luxurious park of the 18th century with yew maze with caryatids on the picturesque banks of the Loire Valley, with the beauty of which only the royal castles of Germany in the Bavarian Alps: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Herrinkimsee can argue.
9. The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is a majestic Beaux-Arts building located to the left of the Champs Elysées in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. Known as a major cultural and exhibition center.
Grand Palace began to build in 1897. There should have been a variety of cultural events and art exhibitions. Before the construction they announced a competition for the best architect, who had to be a Frenchman. A lot of volunteers responded, and among them they had to choose not one, but four: AFTom, A.Luwe, S.Zhiro and A.Delyan. Later, for the construction of this palace, each of them was awarded the French Prize in Architecture.
In the process of doing the work, a lot of difficulties arose: the building turned out to be rather heavy and it was necessary to strengthen the soil. To do this, I had to additionally purchase 3400 piles of oak. In addition, an enormous amount of brick, stone, gravel and steel went into construction. From time to time, 1,500 construction workers began to strike, which had a negative effect on the deadlines for the commissioning of the object.
The creators of the Grand Palais (Grand Palais) dreamed that it was different from other buildings in Paris, and they succeeded. Even today, the Grand Palace towers over the small buildings of the historic part of the city. This object is built in the style of Beaux-Arts, surrounded by colonnades and decorated with sculptural compositions. Behind the columns is a 74-meter mosaic panel. The length of the facade designed by A. Delian is 240 meters, height is 20 meters.
The total area of the halls of the Grand Palace is 72 thousand square meters. Its huge roof is made of glass and has the shape of a 45-meter dome. It is beyond its size has no analogues in the whole of Europe. To keep it, built powerful metal structures weighing up to 6,000 tons. From the very beginning of its existence a French flag is flying on top of the structure. The south-east and north-east entrances are decorated with copper quadrigs made by Georges Resipon. They mean Harmony and Immortality.
On the north wing of the palace is the Art Gallery,
in the west - the Museum of discoveries and inventions.
The southern wing is the Russian-speaking faculty of the Sorbonne. Today, as many years ago, various exhibitions, lectures and seminars from the history of art are held.
Nowadays, the monumental building is divided into two unequal parts: the smaller one is the “Museum of Discoveries and Inventions” (a favorite place for excursions of French schoolchildren), and the larger one is the Art Gallery. It does not have a permanent exhibition, but temporary exhibitions of consistently top quality - every year they attract up to 2 million visitors to the Grand Palace.
In the palace you can see rare exhibits that are of great value. In addition, this place is often chosen by famous fashion designers for its fashion shows, horse shows, book fairs, concerts, etc. are held here.
The Museum of Discoveries and Inventions features exhibits that are able to tell something about life on Earth, about the Universe, matter and energy, mathematics, etc. There is an exposition about scientific achievements and a planetarium. In winter, the big hall of the palace is flooded with water and becomes a huge rink. At night you can admire a wonderful light show.
The Palace of Discoveries is securely guarded, cleanliness and order reigns there. Visitors have the opportunity to have a meal in a restaurant and even taste honey collected directly on the territory of the Grand Palais.
10. Saint-Germain quarter
Saint-Germain quarter, or Saint-Germain des Prés, is located on the left bank of the Seine, in the 24th administrative district of Paris, in the 6th arrondissement of the French capital, at the end of the Rue de Rennes and around the abbey of the same name. It is adjacent to the Latin Quarter located east of the city. Its inhabitants are called Germanopratenes.
The northern part of the sixth arrondissement, with an asymmetrically located center on the Piazza Saint-Germain-des-Prés, is one of the most picturesque, vibrant and richest areas of the city.
In this area there is money, elegance and sophistication, but at the same time simplicity, resulting from communication with the beautiful.
Little by little, high fashion enterprises have gained the upper hand: now there are many world-famous boutiques on the streets around Carrefour de la Croix-Rouge and Place Saint-Sulpice.
Around Jacob Street, on the north side of Saint-Germain Boulevard, are antique shops and art galleries. After shopping, the main entertainment is nightlife, but nowadays it seems too conservative, not at all similar to those post-war times, when Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir reigned on the intellectual scene of Paris, and Juliette sang in basements of jazz bars Greco and Leo Ferre.
Historically, the quarter Saint-Germain was always different from the rest of the city. Starting from the 6th century, its fields and coastal meadows gradually departed to the nearby Benedictine abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, from which only the church has survived to this day.
At the beginning of the XVII century, Maria Medici built the Luxembourg Palace here, where the French Senate is now located, but the real development of this area began only a hundred years later, when aristocrats leaving the Mare district began to look for new spacious land for the construction of exquisite mansions on the other side of the Seine. So the suburb of Saint-Germain became one of the most fashionable European areas, the prosperity of which was interrupted by the French Revolution.
The famous Boulevard Saint-Germain was laid by Baron Osman in the middle of the XIX century right in the center of the quarter, but he gained real fame only after the war, when representatives of the resurgent Parisian avant-garde began to gather in the café de Flor and Douglas.
Closer to the river, antique shops and art galleries now dominate; one such place is in the area of Jacob Street and Bonaparte Street, and the other is in the Carré-Rive Gauche shopping center, three blocks south of the Voltaire embankment.
But after going shopping the main entertainment is still visiting a cafe, although now this occupation looks more pretentious. Wealthy gourmets usually dine in gastronomic restaurants with famous chefs such as Helene Darroz or Joel Robuchon, while foreigners prefer to go to a bistro near Mabillon Street.
Wandering around this quarter, you can visit the beautiful street markets and cafes, as well as admire some exquisite buildings, from the Collège de France crowned with a dome near the river to the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the church of Saint-Sulpice - the last one even became the scene of the famous thriller.
Two small museums, each dedicated to a separate celebrity, the Maillol Museum and the Delacroix Museum, create a spiritual contrast to the magnificent structures of the Right Bank. The greatest attention is usually attracted by art exhibitions in the Luxembourg Museum.
The famous Orsay Museum is also located here - in the western part of the quarter. This museum is known primarily for the fact that, rebuilt from the railway station, it has become an amazingly suitable place to showcase a remarkable collection of Impressionist works.
However, the most popular holiday destination in the quarter is located in its southeastern part, not far from the Latin Quarter, is a delightful Luxembourg Garden. This garden is one of the largest and most charming green islands in the city, where you can always see many students.
11. Aiguille du Midi
Aiguille du Midi - mountain peak in France, Haute Savoie. The summit received this name because at midday the sun is right above this peak, if you look at it from Chamonix. It is located in the western part of the Mont Blanc massif. The height of the peaked peak is 3842 m.
In the Mont Blanc mountain range, the French Alps, there is the Aiguille du Midi mountain peak (Aiguille du Midi, 3842 m) or “midday peak” (also “mid-day peak”), which got its name because the sun freezes over midday peak. Aiguille du Midi also brought fame to the cable car leading to the top, where there is a viewing platform, a cafe and a gift shop. This cable car bore the title of the highest road for about two decades, but it still holds the record as the highest vertical ascent in the world, with a height difference from 1035 m to 3842 m.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car leaves from the center of Chamonix. Its first part to the Plan de l'Éguille (2300 m) was opened in 1924. This stretch is considered the longest non-stop and unsupported lift in the world. The second part of the route, which crosses the Le Pélerin glacier, was completed in three years. The beginning of the Second World War and the outdated equipment led to the fact that in 1951 it was closed and restored by the Italian engineer Dino Lora Totino in 1955.
The entire journey takes about 20 minutes of time, and its capacity is 550 people per hour. The top station of Aiguille du Midi provides terraces from where visitors can enjoy scenic views of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps. On a clear day you can see the Matterhorn, Monta Rosa and Grand Combin. An elevator inside the cliff raises to the last 42 mm to the upper terrace at an altitude of 3842 m. This is the closest distance to Mont Blanc, outside the ascent. From the summit of Aiguille du Midi, the longest ski slope in the vicinity of Chamonix "White Valley" (Vallee Blanche), 22 km long across the glaciers Jean, Tokul and La Mer de Glace originates. On the border of the Tokul and La Mer de Glace glaciers, there is a cafe La Mer de Glace (“Ice Sea”), and the eponymous gondola lift has an unusual Ice Museum.
The complex itself with the upper station of the cableway is a complex multi-level engineering structure on two peaks with several observation platforms, tunnels, transitions, a restaurant, a shop, two platforms of the cableway. The upper observation deck is almost circular, everywhere there are stands with explanations and descriptions of mountain peaks. The restaurant on top of Aiguille du Midi is called “3842” and is one of the highest restaurants in the world. There is also a cafeteria and buffet. Aiguille du Midi has his own postage stamp and mailbox.
Since 2013, on top of the mountain Aiguille du Midi, you can now “hang in the air”: stand in a glass room, hanging in the air on a steel frame. Due to transparency, it creates the feeling that you are literally floating in the sky. The project is called Step into the Void®.
In the summer season, the trip to Aiguille du Midi can be continued, taking a ride on a cable car with panoramic gondolas over the glaciers of White Valley, across the borders with Italy to the top of Pointe Helbronner.
The lift operates from May to mid-September (depending on the weather).
12. Trocadero
Trocadero, the venue for the Chaillot Palace, is a district of Paris, France, in the 16th arrondissement, across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. This is also the name of the palace of 1878, which was demolished in 1937 for the palace of Chaillot. Trocadero Hill is the hill of Chaillot, a former village.
The area is so named in honor of the victory of the French army during the siege of the Spanish Fort Trocadero in 1823. A beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower opens due to the fact that the area is located on the highest point of the Trocadero Hill. And in its center there is a statue of Marshal of France, General Foch, depicted on a wild horse.
On the Trocadero Square, two buildings open in front of you, between which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. And, as is often the case, her mind is spinning, and we completely forget about the world around us. However, let's pay attention to the Palace of Chaillot, which is also famous for the square.
In fact, the history of the palace began long ago. Back in the days of Catherine de Medici. Even then, in the XVI century, she chose the Trocadero hill for the construction of a country house, which was later acquired by Marshal of France François Bassompier, later sent to Bastille for 12 years by Richelieu. He could leave prison only after the death of the almighty cardinal.
In 1651 the Queen of England, Henrietta, acquired the castle to establish the Visitation monastery there, where many notable ladies came.
At this the fate of the long-suffering building on the Trocadero hill does not end there. Subsequently, the monastery is demolished to the ground in order to build a palace again, which Napoleon wants to build for his son, the king of Rome. But this dream was shattered by the fall of the Empire. Even the Trocadero Square itself until 1978 was named after the son of Napoleon I, Charles Joseph Bonaparte - the square of the King of Rome. And only in the second half of the century it was renamed in honor of the hill on which it spreads.
Today the palace is home to several museums. There are two that are located in the south wing. This is the National Maritime Museum of France, which is a naval museum, and the Museum of Man. In the sea there are many different exhibits that belonged to King Louis XV. It tells the story of the French navy on the example of ship models and their equipment. One of the most interesting exhibits is the boat, which carried the ashes of Napoleon I from St. Helena to Paris for burial.
The Museum of Man is known as the Museum of Ethnology, and through its numerous collections and exhibitions, scientists seek to know humanity and human nature. Some of the collections from this museum recently moved to the Branly Museum. However, not all the exhibits left their usual rooms, so the Museum of Man is still worth a visit, in my opinion.
The latter, which opened not long ago, in 2007, is called the Museum of the Architectural Heritage of France. Here is the architecture from the Middle Ages until the present day.
In addition to museums, there is the National Theater of Chaillot in the building of the Chaillot Palace, where you can watch performances of mostly classical plays by various authors.
Going down to the Eiffel Tower from the Chaillot Palace, you will inevitably pass through the gardens and the Warsaw Fountain of the Trocadero.
The Trocadero Fountain was erected in 1937 by the architects Roger-Henry Expert, Paul Maître and Adolf Thier. It was built on the site of the old one, built by Gabriel Davus, the author of the first version of the Palace of Chaillot.
The new version of the fountain is a composition of a rectangular pool, which is located above a group of smaller pools and twenty inclined cannons placed in water, from which 56 water jets are beating and 12 water pillars soar upwards.
The Trocadero gardens occupy as many as 9.5 hectares of land in their area, and today this is one of the favorite places of recreation not only for guests of the city, but also for the French themselves. At the foot of the gardens, closer to the Eiffel Tower, there are carousels for children, as well as numerous tents with both the ubiquitous French baguette sandwiches and delicacies like pancakes or corrugations (waffles) that are prepared right there in front of you for a few minutes
13. Cite Island, or Cite
Cite Island, or Cite, is one of the two surviving islands of the River Seine in the center of Paris and at the same time the oldest part of the city. Boulevard du Palais divides the island into two approximately equal parts, of which the eastern belongs to the 4th urban district, and the western - to the 1st.
The Cite is one of the two islands of the Seine that have survived to this day, the historical heart of Paris. The island is connected to the city by nine bridges - thanks to this, it is easy to get to it from any part of Paris. In the old days, the royal residence was located on the island, but now almost no one lives here. Residential homes on Sita, there are no more than thirty.
In order to get acquainted with all the sights of the island, you can safely lay the whole day. In addition to the majestic cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Paris, on Cite there is the famous Conciergerie Prison in Paris (now the museum), the Palace of Justice, Dauphine Square, the oldest flower market and a host of other equally interesting objects.
The first kings of France did much to make Cité the center of royal, legal, and ecclesiastical authority. Here are located the three main architectural monuments of the Middle Ages: the castle of Conciergerie, the gothic chapel of Saint-Chapelle and the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
The landmark attraction of Cite is, of course, Notre Dame - the most famous cathedral in the world, famous for the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. The distinctive features of Notre Dame are its unique buttresses and statues of chimeras and gargoyles. Entrance to the cathedral is free, and those wishing to learn more about its history can use the audio guides offered at the entrance. To avoid the queue for the rise of Notre Dame, you can buy a ticket in advance.
The Chapel of Saint-Chapelle is not as famous as Notre Dame, but deserves no less attention. This building was once the first royal palace in Paris. The chapel is a magnificent example of French Gothic architecture. To get deeper into the spirit and atmosphere of Saint-Chapelle, we advise you to visit one of the concerts that are regularly held here. To the sounds of Bach or Vivaldi, the appearance of the high ceilings and painted walls of the chapel will make a special impression on you.
Conciergerie Castle is considered the oldest building of the Cite Island. During the French Revolution, Conciergerie was used as a prison, in the dungeons of which Marie Antoinette spent her last days. Although her camera no longer exists, visitors to Conciergerie can see a recreated copy of her room, as well as documents, keys, and other exhibits dating back to the 18th century. Here you can also look into the cells in which prisoners were prepared for execution. You can buy a joint ticket to Saint-Chapelle and Conciergerie, so it will be cheaper.
City Island is interesting not only historical buildings. Adjacent to it is the Pont-Neuf Bridge, the oldest bridge in Paris. Built in 1578, the bridge was once considered the center of the city. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was a favorite venue for street performances. Walking on the bridge, pay attention to its elegant arches and fortifications, which recall the Paris of the middle ages.
Opposite of Notre Dame, you can find the entrance to the crypts and look at the remains of the Gallo-Romanesque city of Lutetia, the forerunner of Paris, which was found on the Cite island before the 5th century AD. At the same time, you will see how much earlier the Seine was, how the cultural layer grew and how the Romans lived on the outskirts of their Empire.
If you have time, by all means take a look at the Cite Flower Market, where you can buy a charming bunch and even a packet of seeds to break your own flower garden. On many counters, you will find not only flowers, but also souvenirs, such as sachets or music boxes, so that you can combine a walk around the island with the purchase of gifts.
There are not so many cafes and restaurants on Cite Island, but if you want to eat, and here you can find a couple of interesting places. For example, Ma Salle à Manger (26 Place Dauphine) is a small restaurant with a true Parisian atmosphere and delicious home cooking. Try the duck pie and burgundy beef or just have a cup of coffee with one of the tempting desserts. In the cozy bistro Au Bougnat (26, rue Chanoinesse) you will be treated to traditional French snacks, homemade hamburgers and coffee with sweets, and in cool weather you will be warmed by hot mushroom soup with truffle butter and cream.
Try the famous ice cream at Berthillon Cafe (29-31 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île), which is located nearby on the island of Saint-Louis. It is very easy to identify it by a long line. Keep in mind that the portions at Berthillon are rather small, but you can try several flavors at once, for example, rum ice cream with raisins or ice cream with salted caramel.
14. Papal Palace
Papal Palace - a monument of history and architecture in Avignon, France. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest palaces in Europe. Venue of the annual theater festival.
Avignon was the residence of the popes from 1309, here they felt much safer than in Rome, where at that time there was a struggle between aristocrats, besides, the state of the popes in the center of Italy did not actually exist.
The first popes who lived in Avignon — Clement V and John XXII — lived at the Dominican monastery, under Benedict XII, the old episcopal palace was reconstructed, and its successors continued the work. The Papal Palace was erected on the northern outskirts of the city, on a hill overlooking the Rhone. The building included two parts - the Old and New Palace. After completion of construction works, the construction area was 11,000 square meters. m
The restoration of the palace was carried out in 1906, here is located the National Museum. Today, most of the premises are open to the public. There is an archive of the Vaucluse department and a conference center. Nearby are several prestigious Avignon hotels.
Every year to see the huge fortified walls and giant towers attract millions of tourists from all over the world. By the way, the city of Avignon itself, with a population of just under 90,000 inhabitants, is a kind of open-air museum. It even has its own Notre Dame (though not “de Paris”, but de Avignon), just three beautiful churches, made by architects in the Gothic style and popular among the guests of the city Museum of Calvet.
A huge number of tourists with cameras can be found already on the way to the Papal Palace, because the photo of the facade of the Avignon Captive site is just wildly popular. If you look at any of them, it may seem that the picture captured not a palace, fortress or castle, but a whole huge France. the medieval city, from which an entire army of crusaders is about to leave, going on a regular march in the name of true faith.
There is nothing surprising in the size of the residence, the heads of the Catholic Church always lived in huge palaces: the reason was, of course, not the claustrophobia of the popes, but the need for a large number of rooms where one could keep the main shrines of the Christian world.
For example, the modern Vatican, where the Pope of Rome lives and offers his prayers to God, is not just a palace, but a whole state in a state. Therefore, in the French city of Avignon such a gigantic palace was rebuilt there is absolutely nothing supernatural. After all, it was in this palace that the popes received monarchs and archbishops, by and large, from a small French city the main clergy of the Catholic Church ruled not only numerous parishes, but also influenced the destinies of entire states.
At the moment, the palace is under the protection of UNESCO, but the rich interior was never restored during the numerous reconstructions of this landmark. The traveler is invited during the tour to explore the many rooms and 12 towers, each of which bears its name. Two of them are the most interesting, and evoke a feeling of constantly growing horror in suspicious people. These are the towers, which are called "Toilet" and "Kitchen". In the "Toilet Tower" during the French Revolution with enviable regularity deprived the lives of the rich French. The revolutionaries did not particularly stand on ceremony with their bodies: they were dumped from a height into a huge pit. Nobody was going to bury the decomposing corpses, therefore the stench was spread to several kilometers from the papal palace. “Kitchen Tower” got its name not because of the fact that it was used to cook culinary masterpieces. There are legends that during the times of the Inquisition, heretics were slowly roasted on a huge spit in it.
In addition to these two terrible towers, you can also inspect the rooms in which the popes lived, alas, there was nothing left of their former luxury. Only the Big Chapel can evoke a feeling of awe before the higher forces thanks to the unique and miraculously preserved rich ceiling painting. A visit to the “Tower of Angels”, where the bedroom of the popes was located, will make an unforgettable impression. Everything in it looks poor and scanty, by the way, as in the refectory, but according to some architectural elements and the preserved mural, any historian will immediately say that these rooms in ancient times were extremely richly decorated and, one can even say, artsy. A reminder of the past splendor of this tower is murals, most of which were smeared with vandals during the French Revolution. On it with unique accuracy reproduced the vine and the birds sitting on it. By the way, songbirds have always been highly valued by the “popes in exile,” probably for this reason, their images are often found in paintings made by Siena artists.
15. Pantheon
Pantheon is an architectural and historical monument, a sample of French classicism in the Latin Quarter of the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France. Originally the church of sv. Genevieve, later - the tomb of the outstanding people of France. The inscription at the entrance to the Pantheon says: "Great people grateful homeland."
The building of the Pantheon combines various architectural styles:
Gothic - the building is made in the shape of a Greek cross with a length of 110 meters and a width of 84 meters;
classical - drum dome 83 meters high;
Greco-Roman - peristyle with six Corinthian columns and a triangular pediment.
Because of these different architectural styles, the Church of St. Genevieve belongs to the French neoclassical style.
The main facade is decorated with a portico with Corinthian columns and topped with a triangular pediment, made by David d'Angers. In the center of the pediment is depicted the Motherland giving freedom. Scientists (Marie François Xavier Bisch, Claude Louis Berthollet, Gaspard Monge, Pierre-Simon Laplace, and others), philosophers (Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, etc.), writers (Francois Fenelon, Pierre Corneille and others) and artists (Jacques-Louis David and others). On the right side of the Motherland is a story represented by the great personalities of France (Napoleon I Bonaparte and others).
Elements of the interior decoration of the Pantheon - bas-reliefs, sculptures and artistic paintings - reflect the bitter political debates of each period: Christian, patriotic, republican, masonic and philosophical.
In the central part of the Pantheon is the Foucault pendulum, which proves the daily rotation of the Earth. It was installed in 1851 by decree of Napoleon III, and 150 years later it was dismantled and reinstalled.
Within the walls of the Pantheon, more than 80 people found peace, contributing to the development of France. And in gratitude to them at the entrance, the inscription "AUX GRANDS HOMMES LA PATRIE RECONNAISSANTE" is carved, which literally translates from French as: "To great people from a grateful homeland."
For 2017 in the Pantheon, only four women are buried for merit: Marie Curie, Genevieve de Gaulle-Antonioz, Germain Tillon and Simone Weil.
He gained such popularity even not because of the remains of the powerful in this world: travelers are attracted by his unusual architectural forms. Pantheon in Paris can not be attributed to any specific architectural style. At the time when the Church of St. Genevieve was opened, its appearance caused outrage among the Parisians, probably no less than the future creation of Eiffel. Such is this country - France, in its capital incompatible buildings, historical and architectural monuments seem to be combined at first glance.
16. Courchevel
Courchevel is a ski resort in the French Alps, located in the center of the Tarentaise Valley. It is part of the “Three Valleys” skiing area. Four stations of the resort are located at altitudes of 1300, 1550, 1650 and 1750 meters above sea level. The ski season lasts from late November to early May.
Courchevel, one of the most prestigious ski resorts in the world, is impressive in its choice of trails and unprepared virgin slopes. Its extremely successful “planning” allows you to go down the new slopes every time, without repeating the route even during the longest vacation. And the main advantage of the resort in the eyes of beginners is wide and smooth green and blue tracks.
The lifts are open from the beginning of December until the end of April. The Alpine villages of the Courchevel Valley (which, by the way, is also called Courchevel) are located on 5 levels: Saint-Bon (Saint-Bon) - 1300 m, Le Praz, Courchevel-1550, Courchevel-1650 and Courchevel-1850 .
For those who appreciate time and comfort, a special airport hybrid for light aircraft and a helipad is equipped in Courchevel. Altiport - of. site (in English). The transfer from the airports of Geneva (140 km) and Lyon will take a few minutes and just as quickly facilitate the wallet - the minimum price for such a flight will be 2000 EUR per passenger. Prices on the page are as of October 2018.
The financially more humane option is a bus transfer, a trip from the same Lyon and Geneva takes less than 4 hours and costs about 70 EUR per person. View the actual cost of the trip and book tickets can be at the office. Altibus carrier website (in English).
It’s best for beginners to ski in the Pralong and Bellecote ski areas: there are long and gentle slopes. Under the lift Jardin Alpin there are many green and blue trails.
For mid-level skiers, the tracks in the La Vizelle area are suitable, the red Creus and Marmottes are especially good. The descent of the Buc Blanc, passing through the forest and ending in La Tania, is very beautiful. Uncomplicated black descents Pyramide and Grandes Bousses are classified as black, but in fact these are red trails of increased complexity.
Steep "professional" tracks descend from the station Solir (Saulire, 2738 m) - the Col du Pas du Lac, there are difficult areas in the Grand Coulois ski areas and Les Avals. From the station Col de la Loze (2274 m) down to the level of 1300 m there are two interesting black tracks about 1.5 km long. The slopes in the area of Le Praz are in the forest - it is good to ride on them in bad weather.
In addition, the resort has one half-pipe, one snowpark, more than 500 snow cannons and 65 lifts; Courchevel's longest track reaches 3.9 km - in short, the possibilities for skiing here are “behind the eyes”.
For those who appreciate winter sports, but do not particularly enjoy skiing, a special ice trail is equipped in Courchevel. Officially, it is called “toboggan”, but in fact, it can be descended not only on the descendants of Indian sleds, but also on many other devices, from inflatable pillows to sports beans. It is difficult to call this route “professional” (only 2 km in length, the height difference is 300 m), but its simplicity and undemandingness have long been appreciated by families with children. The beginning of the route is located near the village of Courchevel-1850. There you can rent equipment for the descent.
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