Commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon, not long after his victory at Austerlitz, it was not completed until 1836. There are four huge relief sculptures at the bases of the four pillars. These commemorate The Triumph of 1810 (Cortot); Resistance , and Peace (both by Etex); and The Departure of the Volunteers, more commonly known by the name La Marseillaise (Rude). Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. This site is not to be missed, recognized as one of the most prominent landmarks of the world. Underneath the Arch is the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” and eternal flame recognizing the dead of the two world wars. Admission: EUR7

The Arch is most easily (and safely) reached by tunnel from the north side of the Champs Elysées.

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited tourist spots in the world. The tower stands 300 meters tall, at the time of it’s construction in 1889 it was the world’s tallest building. Architect Gustave Eiffel took a lot of heat from the people of Paris who did not like the design and wanted the structure torn down. Visitors use the stairs up to the second floor, where there is a lift to the spectacular views of Paris at the .

Wonderful architecture!

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was in exile when he died on the Isle of St. Helena. In 1840 the French decided to construct a glorious memorial that was opened in 1853. Five enormous blocks are used as the layout, and listed on the walls are each of Napolean’s victories. Also located in this area is the Musee de l’Armee and the French War Museum.

Take a 3-hour cruise along the River Seine and the St. Martin Canal all the way to Parc de la Villette, and then return. Have a relaxing picnic in the park during your stay. Expect this too take the whole morning and early afternoon to complete. The cruise costs EUR 16 for adults; EUR 9 for children aged 4-11

This site is a definite must see! Designed by architects Louis le Vau and Jules Hardouin in 1668 on what once was a small hunting site for King Louis XIV’s father, it now stands as the largest palace in Europe. The impressive, detail, design and overall magnificence of the palace is breathtaking. The interior, designed by painter Charles Le Brun, is equally impressive with the Royal Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors. Be sure to also check out the Petit Trianon (1762) and the Grand Trianon (1687) also located in the park. Expect to spend a whole day here with countless sites to see and plenty of shopping and dining in the area. Admission: Château EUR7, Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon EUR5.

This museum is located at a very historically unique site, an old train station that runs along a large body of water. Go inside and check the museum’s impressive collection of impressionist and neo-impressionist art. Walk around and enjoy the views, even grab a bite to eat at the cafe, or take a cruise along the popular Paris Canal ride.

Commonly known as the Beaubourg, this distinctive building was commissioned in 1968 by the then President Georges Pompidou, and opened in 1977. Most Parisians were initially shocked by its unconventional ‘inside out’ architectural style: air conditioning, escalators and lifts are all on the outside, giving the interior unparalleled freedom. Extensively refurbished in the late 1990s, the centre is home to the Musee National d’Art Moderne and the Bibliothèque Publique d’Information (BPI) as well as temporary exhibitions, cinemas, and other attractions. All-inclusive museum admission: EUR10 Adults; EUR8 Reduced. Hours vary for individual attractions.

Beaubourg only got better after its recent remodeling. It rivals – and in my opinion – surpasses the collections of the Tate Modern in London and MoMA in New York. If you have any interest in modern art whatsoever, this is the place to go. – The plexiglass escalator offers the best views of Paris on the way up. The bookstore is tops, and an outlet of Printemps offers a wide selection of chic little gifts to bring back to friends. The rooftop retaurant, called “Georges”, offers spectaular views in a chic setting – pricey, but worth it. – - The other highpoint for modern art is the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris-Palais de Tokyo. Built in the mid-1930s, it houses the modern art collection of the City of Paris; spectacular and highest-quality, it is an often overlooked.

Originally meant to defend Paris against the Vikings, this Renaissance palace became a museum in 1793. Today it houses impressive collections of Etruscan, Egyptian, Oriental, Roman and Greek artefacts as well as sculptures, paintings and other works of art ranging from the Middle Ages up to 1850, including Leonardo da Vinci’s enigmatic ‘Mona Lisa’. Architect I.M. Pei’s amazing glass pyramid, commissioned by the President François Mitterrand, caused a sensation when it was added in 1989. Admission is EUR8.50 (EUR6 after 6p), and it’s free for children under 18

This magnificent Roman-Byzantine style basilica was designed by Paul Abadie around 1875, and was finally opened in 1914. Atop the tall tower there is a picture-perfect view of the local district, a place where you can get a birds-eye view of all the rooftops below. Inside sites include the crypt and the mosaic of Christ. Admission: (basilica) free

This Gothic style cathedral was contructed between the years 1163 – 1212, and renovated and completed in 1270. The 387-step climb to the top is rewarded with spectacular views and group picture moments. Inside see the magnificent stain-glass windows, on the outside check out the detail in the designs of the doorways and 69 meter tall towers. Expect the site to be exceptionally busy on Sundays. Admission: cathedral is free, towers around EUR6