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Musee du Louvre, Paris, France

 


The Musee du Louvre in Paris, France is one of the most historic and fascinating museums in the entire world. More than eight million visitors experience the wonders of The Louvre each and every year. Without a detailed look at the actual exhibits, you could still enjoy the unmatched views of Parisian architecture at its finest. For your educational and viewing pleasure, there are over 400,000 different items and exhibits within the massive Louvre museum. You could spend two whole days wandering around, and you may still not have enough time to appreciate all the amazing arts of human creation houses within the massive museum.

Musee du Louvre, Paris, FranceYou absolutely can’t miss the Mona Lisa when you visit the Musee du Louvre. No other work of art in any medium and in any country has been studied as much as the Mona Lisa. This is the painting that put Leonardo da Vinci on the map, and it cemented his legacy as one of the greatest artistic minds in the history of civilization. The Mona Lisa exhibit gets crowded during the evening hours, so the best time to see it is definitely as early in the day as you possible can go to that part of The Louvre.

Another attraction not to be missed at The Louvre is the Venus de Milo. This ancient Greek sculpture depicts the goddess of love, Venus, in human form. It’s been said that this work of art was crafted around 100 BCE. Nobody knows exactly who sculpted it, but it’s supposed to be attributed to Alexandros of Antioch. The statue stands nearly seven feet tall, and it is made out of marble. You’ll want to take plenty of pictures of it to share with your friends and family back home. The statue is simply one of the greatest art masterpieces ever seen in the entire world.


The Musee du Louvre in Paris is one of the attractions that all world travelers should see at least once. The atmosphere created by the unmatched art found here invites you to get in touch with a higher plane of visual perception. Humans benefit greatly from viewing art and pondering its meaning. This is one way in which people keep their minds healthy and active. You can stop at The Louvre today and add this incredible museum to the list of places you’ve visited. This is an experience that you’ll never forget as long as you live.

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Filed Under: Europe, France, Musee du Louvre, Paris

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France


 

First time visitors to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France may not realize there is so much more to do than simply gaze upon this spectacular structure. Even return guests might not realize just how much there is to see and do in the area.

The Eiffel Tower itself is a must see when in Paris. Don’t be afraid to explore its many wonders. At a height of 300 meters, the first floor alone is home to exhibits about the Eiffel Tower’s history, a cinema, gift shop, restaurant, and even a post office where you can send postcards back home with the official Eiffel Tower mark. On the next level guests can enjoy fine dining in the Jules Verne restaurant, followed by champagne on the third floor. One can even go ice skating on the rink that lies 57 meters above Paris. The experience is enhanced with music and light effects.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, FranceAfter touring the Eiffel Tower, one can stretch out and relax at Champ de Mars. Located between Ecole Militaire and the tower, this park was the 1889 site of the world exhibition when the Eiffel Tower was first constructed. Now it is a wonderful grassy area, perfect for soccer, picnics, and concerts.


Don’t forget to take in a few of Paris’s fabulous museums while visiting. The Musee du Quai Branly is a mismatched collection of old and new art from places like Africa, Asia, and the Americas. An interesting feature of this quirky spot is the living wall. Comprised of over 150 types of plants, it is surrounded by jungle gardens and swamps. The nightly light show is not to be missed.

The Musee Rodin is another exceptional museum nearby the Eiffel Tower. Once the private mansion of the artist Auguste Rodin, it now houses his many sculptures, including The Bronze. His controversial piece, The Gates of Hell is located in the surrounding gardens. There is even a room dedicated to the work of his student and mistress Camille Claudel.

An excellent way to end a day in Paris is with a Seine River dinner cruise. The Seine River is a beautiful site by day, and it is simply enchanting once the sun sets. The river winds through Paris where dinner guests can view the Pont Alexandre lll bridge and the city’s most beautiful buildings such as Invalides and Grand Palais.

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Filed Under: Eiffel Tower, Europe, featured, France, Paris

France Pavilion, Epcot Center

 


Epcot Center’s World Showcase provides visitors with the opportunity to experience the unique cultures and traditions of regions from across the globe. The France Pavilion at Epcot Center is easily one of the park’s most popular destinations, as the area catapults visitors to the quaint streets of Paris. Complete with shops selling authentic French wares, architectural details reminiscent of the City of Light, and a view of the Eiffel Tower in the distance, the French Pavilion is enough to convince even the most discerning traveler that they have crossed the ocean and are visiting the streets of Paris.

France Pavilion, World Showcase, Epcot Center, Walt Disney World, FloridaCulinary Exploration: Foods in the Pavilion
The foods and culinary traditions of France are perhaps one of the country’s greatest sources of price. Epcot’s France Pavilion does not neglect this phenomenon, but instead presents visitors with multiple opportunities to savor the delicacies of the “cuisine française.” Epcot guests can sample the scrumptious baked goods found throughout France in the Boulangerie Patisserie, while the Bistro de France gives visitors the opportunity to experience the hustle and bustle of a modern cafe. Les Chefs de France is another option in the France Pavilion, serving a wide selection of entrees that are typical of dishes served in the various regions of France.

Enjoying the Parisian Atmosphere


Perhaps one of the most incredible aspects of a visit to the French Pavilion is how successfully Epcot has managed to replicate the ambiance of a Parisian neighborhood. Street performers dot the landscape, just as the artists do on the streets of the French capital. Of course, Disney fans will not be disappointed to discover that the area serves as a second home to popular characters such as Belle and the Beast. Other French characters also make appearances in the France Pavilion, adding to the overall draw of this dynamic destination.

For those who feel passionate about all that France has to offer, the France Pavilion as Epcot is perhaps one of the most authentic French experiences on this side of the Atlantic. From the delicious foods to the charm of the performers and characters, there is truly something for everyone in this area of Epcot. In addition to the authentic shops, restaurants, and decor, the French Pavilion also offers visitors the chance to watch “Impressions de France,” a film giving a visual tour of the many attractions of the nation.

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Filed Under: Epcot Center, featured, Florida, France, Kissimmee, Orlando, Paris, United States, Walt Disney World, World Showcase

Gare de Lyon, Train Station, Paris

Europe is famous for their convenient train service and Paris, France is no exception. The many wonderful trains are served by famous train stations. Gare de Lyon, Train Station, Paris is one of those stations. It's also one of the six large railway terminals in Paris. This train station was named for the city of Lyon which is a popular stop for several trains on their way to southern France. Lyon is also a stop for many long-distance trains going to other destinations.

Gare de Lyon, Train Station, Paris, FranceLocated in the northern bank of the river Seine, the Gare de Lyon metro station is in the east of Paris, located to many hotels and Paris apartments. Serving the RER, regional trains and SNCF services that run to the southern and eastern destinations of France, Gare de Lyon is a busy spot. SNCF serves Lines A and B while RER serves Lines C, D and E.

The Gare de Lyon is over one hundred years old since it was built before 1900 for the World Exposition held that particular year. The architecture of this station is considered to be classic for that period in time in many ways. One of the corners of Gare de Lyon holds an enormous clock tower. This clock tower is reminiscent to Big Ben at the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament. This is quite a comparison.

Another historic remnant at Gare de Lyon is the Le Train Bleu restaurant. This quaint and ornate restaurant opened in 1901 and has never stopped serving meals and drinks to the many passengers and visitors since then. The 19th century artist, Albert Maignan, has a wall painting hanging right inside the Le Train Bleu which just adds to the restaurant's classic history. There aren't too many restaurants or bars that can stay in business for 110 years.

Gare de Lyon has high speed services that serve Paris to Lyon to Marseille, Paris to Geneva, Paris to Milan and other destinations. There are intercity services with Paris to Nevers to Clemont to Ferrand. To travel between other Paris main stations from Gare de Lyon, there are instructions to either walk, catch a bus or take a Metro Line to the other stations and nearby hotels an apartments in Paris.

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Filed Under: Europe, featured, France, Paris, Train Stations

Paris Train Stations

Coming to Paris for the first time, many travelers arrive via the train, whether from other parts of France or points beyond in Europe. Arriving by trains many visitors wonder how convenient it is to get to their hotels or apartments in Paris. Visitors will find that there are seven main train stations serving Paris, France making train travel in and out of the city very convenient.

Gare'd Austerlitz, Train Station Paris FranceThe first major train station in Paris is the Gare’d Austerlitz. The train station is located in the southeastern region of Paris along the left side of the Seine. It has trains that travel to Toulouse, central France, and the Pyrenees. The Gare’d Austerlitz has limited long distance services, and focuses mainly on local areas.

Gare Saint –Lazare Train Station Paris, FranceThe second major train station in Paris is the Gare Saint –Lazare. This train station is second in line as the busiest train station in Paris. It has train services to Normandy and serves the suburbs along the west and southwestern region. It serves approximately 274,000 people a day.

Gare du Nord, Train Station, Paris, FranceThe third major train station in Paris is the Gare du Nord. This train station is the busiest station in Paris. This train station travels throughout Northern France as well as to a number of other countries including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. The Gare du Nord serves over 190 million people a year.

Gare de l’Est, Train Station, Paris, FranceThe fourth major train station in Paris is the Gare de l’Est. This train station is one of the oldest and largest train stations in the city of Paris. It has trains that serve the local population along the eastern suburbs of the city. It also has long distance trains that serve Germany and the entire eastern France region.

Gare de Lyon, Train Station, Paris, FranceThe fifth major train station in Paris is the Gare de Lyon. This train station is a major stopping area for those traveling long distance. Most travelers are headed to southern France. There are trains that serve the southeastern suburbs. In addition, the Gare de Lyon also has trains that travel to Italy and Switzerland. The Le Train Bleu restaurant is located in the train station.

Gare Montparnasse, Train Station, Paris, FranceThe sixth major train station in Paris is the Gare Montparnasse. This train station is primarily used for local travel offering travel services to locations along the west and southwestern areas of France. Some of the locations include Bordeaux, Nantes, Rennes, and Tours. There are also trains to Madrid.

Gare de Bercy, Train Station, Paris, FranceThe seventh largest train station is Paris is the Gare de Bercy. This train station specializes in vehicle transportation services. In July of 2002, the train station went through a remodeling project and now has four sleeper trains that travel between Paris and Italy. These trains travel to a number of Italian cities including Rome, Venice, and Florence, Milan.

Travelers staying in one of the many Paris apartments or hotels will find a quick taxi or bus ride will get them to one of the 7 conveniently located train stations to get them to their next destination.

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Filed Under: Europe, featured, France, Paris, Train Staions