Archive for December, 2007
Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris
Dec 21st
Address: Bordered on all sides by St Michel, rue de Vaugirard, rue de Medicis, rue Guynemer and Auguste-Comte Arrondissement: 6th Hours: 7:30am from 4:45 – 9:45pm depending on the day and month. Tickets: Free
About Jardin du Luxembourg
The 224,500 square meter location known as Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the most frequented and well known parks in Paris. The garden was began in 1612 at the same time that the Palais du Luxembourg, also on the grounds, was being constructed too. The palace and garden were built to honor Marie de Medici, the mother of Louis XIII. More >
Jardin des Plantes, Paris
Dec 21st
Address: 57 rue Cuvier, Paris 75005 Arrondissement: 5th Hours: Summer Mon-Sun 7:30am – 8:00pm; Winter Mon-Sun 7:30am-5:30pm Tickets: Free
WWW: Jardin des Plantes Phone: +33 1 4079 3000
About the Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes has a long and notable history. It was first established in 1626 as a royal garden of medicinal plants and was designed by Guy de La Brosse, the physician of Louis XII.
In 1650, the garden, which had grown into disrepair over a short period, was rejuvenated under the loving eye of John Baptiste Colbert and was opened to the public. Towards the end of More >
Parc Andre Citroen, Paris
Dec 21st
Address: Along rue Balard Arrondissement: 15th Hours: Dawn to 6:00pm Tickets: Free
About Parc Andre Citroen
Many of the parks and attractions in Paris are centuries old, however Parc Andre Citroen defies this notion and offers a fresh, modern spin on the Parisian park experience.
The 35 acres park is named after the French automaker Andre Citroen, whose auto factory used to reside on the location. The Paris government spent a pretty penny fixing the location after the factory closed and it has proven to be money well spent as it is a local and tourist hit.
The park is situated More >
Grand Palais, Paris
Dec 17th
Address: 3 Avenue du General Eisenhower, Paris Arrondissement: 8th Hours: Every day, Tuesdays aside, from 10:00am to 8:00pm and Wednesday until 10:00pm Tickets: 7.62EUR with reservation and 8.69EUR without, reduced rates also available
WWW: Grand Palais Phone: 33(0)1 44 13 17 17 Email: Fabien.escalona@rmn.fr
About the Grand Palais
In the late 19th century much of Paris got a needed facelift. Thousands of people would be coming into the city in 1900 for the World’s Fair and the citizens and government wanted to ensure that their guests saw the most beautiful Paris possible.
Several new structures went up around the city under the More >
Petit Palais, Paris
Dec 17th
Address: Avenue Winston Churchill Arrondissement: 8th Hours: Tickets: Free for all owned exhibits; a small fee that varies for temporary exhibits
Phone: 01 53 43 40 00
About the Petit Palais
In the late 19th century much of Paris got a makeover. Thousands of people would be flooding into the city in 1900 for the World’s Fair and the citizens and government wanted to ensure that they saw the most beautiful Paris possible.
Several new structures went up around the city under the watchful eye of infamous Parisian architect Charlest Girault; including Petit Palais, its larger neighbor Grand Palais and the Pont More >
Hotel des Invalides, Paris
Dec 17th
Address: Esplanade des Invalides, 75507 Arrondissement: 7th
Hours: April – September 10:00am-6:00pm; October – March 10:00am-5:00pm; Closed first Monday of each month. Tickets: 8EUR; reduced ticketes available but varied
WWW: Hotel des Invalides Phone: 01 44 42 37 72
About the Hotel des Invalides
The Hotel des Invalides was home to thousands of war torn veterans for many years. Today it stands as a museum and a celebrated tomb of many infamous Frenchmen.
In the beginning, this massive structure wasn’t intended to be so… massive. Only several barracks were to be built. However, King Louis XIV, the Sun King himself, reneged on the original plans and More >
Forum des Halles, Paris
Dec 10th
Address: Les Halles Metro Station Arrondissement: 1st
About the Forum des Halles
Paris’ Forum des Halles has a unique 800 year history. From 1200 through 1500, the area was a thriving marketplace which specialized in tasty foods and a variety of businesses. Parisian’s came here to mill about, shop and enjoy food and friends into the wee hours of the morning.
However, as the city grew larger the congestion that Halles created became too much for the citizens of Paris. In the 1960s the cafes and stalls were moved to Rungis, a suburban area near the Orly Airport.
As much as Parisian’s More >
Fontaine des Innocents, Paris
Dec 10th
Address: Square des Innocents Arrondissement: 1st
About the Fountain des Innocents
The Fontaine des Innocents is named for the cemetery that was originally located in this region of Paris. For six centuries the Cimetiere des Saint Innocents lay in the location. It was thought to be a child cemetery (hence the name) although no one can be certain.
In the mid 1500’s, architect Jean Goujon designed the Fountain to commemorate the deceased and the cemetery that once stood in the square. It was actually built into the wall along the intersection of Rue St. Denis and Rue au Fers (modern day More >
La Defense, Paris
Dec 10th
Address: Place de la Defense Arrondissement: La Defense area runs through several arrondissement. Hours for Grand Arche: 10:00am – 8:00pm Tickets: Adults 9EUR; Children 7.50EUR
WWW: Grande Arche
About La Defense
At the end of World War I, the city of Paris planned to build up parts of their city, mainly along Triumphale Way from the Arc de Triomphe to La Defense. The idea was to have a row of visually stunning skyscrapers in a Modernist style to update the bustling section of the city. Many plans came from infamous 1930s architects like Le Corbusier. Unfortunately for them, us and the More >
