Paris, France - Arc De Triomphe - Triumphal Arch

The Arc de Triomphe stands majestically in the centre of the Etoile, a large roundabout designed by Baron Haussmann, from which 12 avenues, including the Champs-Elysees, emanate. It is celebrated as one of the greatest - if not the greatest - triumphal arches in the world.

The arch was commissioned by Napoleon to commemorate his victorious battles. He had already built an arch at the place du Carrousel, but was disappointed with its final size and went on to supercede it with the much larger and grander Arc de Triomphe. Work on the 50m (164-foot) tall structure began in 1806, but was not completed until 30 years later under Louis-Phillippe, largely because of Napoleon's defeat and fall from power. Fittingly, his funeral procession passed under the arch on its way to its final resting place at Les Invalides.

Today, the arch remains a symbol of pride and regularly hosts national commemorations. On May 8 each year it plays a central role in the VE Day celebrations; on July 14 it hosts an event to mark Bastille Day; and Napoleon's victory at the Battle of Austerliltz in 1805 is marked at the foot of the arch on December 2. Beneath the arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a victim of World War I, who was buried on November 11 1920, and where Remembrance Day events are held every year. A Memorial Flame above the tomb is lit at 6:30pm every day.

The arch is lavishly adorned with sculptures by Jean-Pierre Cortot, Antoine Etex and Francois Rude. Among them is Rude's famous liberty sculpture, La Marseillaise. Above the sculptures is a frieze depicting Napoleon's troops leaving for battle and their victorious return, along with 30 shields, each of which bears the name of a revolutionary or Imperial victory. Cortot's relief depicts the Treaty of Vienna peace agreement of 1810, while others portray Battle of Aboukir by Seurre the Elder and the Battle of Austerlitz by Gechter. General Marceau's funeral is shown above the entrance to the arch's museum.

Crowning the Arc de Triomphe is a viewing platform from where you can see Haussmann's design of 12 avenues and the world-renowned axis, or line of vision, known as the Axe Historique. This runs from the Grande Arche at La Defense to the Arc de Triomphe, along the Champs-Elysees to the obelisk in the centre of the place de la Concorde, and on to the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Musee du Louvre. Placed in a perfect straight line, they constitute a grand panorama.

Inside the arch is a museum that tells the fascinating history of the structure, and details of Napoleon's victories. If you feel energetic enough, you can walk up the 184 steps to the viewing platform.

The Louvre Art Museum - Paris, France

Located in Paris, the Louvre has been one of the most famous and most visited museums in the world. Placed on the Right Bank in the First Arrondissement, the Louvre was built in an area between the Seine River and the Rue de Rivoli. This building was originally used as a fortress, and later was used to display art and transformed into a museum.

The museum was formally opened in 1750, and much of the building was used as a gallery to showcase artist's works. It allowed all common people from within France and abroad to view the gallery. Entrance to the museum in the form of a combined ticket (which grants admission to all permanent collections as well as any temporary exhibits) is 13 euros.

The Louvre has over 380,000 pieces of art within its collection. However, only 35,000 of it is on public display. Famous artworks like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo are two of the 11,900 pieces that is publicly displayed at the Louvre. Other lesser known but famous pieces include the Madonna on the Rocks and Oath of the Horatii.

Art enthusiasts can venture into the museum's different sections to view the mass amounts of art work on display. There are eight total sections in the museum: Islamic Art, Paintings, Sculptures, Prints and Drawings, Near Eastern Antiquities, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, and Decorative Arts.

Amongst their collection, they have large collections of pieces from famous artists such as Rembrandt and David. Famous sculptures such as the Venus de Milo can be found on display within the museum. These famous pieces are some of the many works that visitors often ask about. Plus the Louvre holds one the largest collections of several popular artists, as well as a large collection of pictorials in the world.

While the Louvre is well known for its art collection, there are other collections within the museum that will surprise many people. Outside of the art, the museum has archeology, sculptures, and objest d'art from across the globe. They also have a permanent gallery showing large holdings of furniture, including the Bureau du Roi by Jean Henri Riesener. Some of these works are available in books that are sold at the museum. Temporary exhibits are also held throughout the year on various other elements of the various art movements, in which other parts of the hidden collection will be presented to the public.

Paris, the capital of France - full of romance

Paris is the capital of France in the Ile de France and is an international capital of art, fashion, style and romance. With the romance of Paris perceives, is the most popular destination for British tourists and with over 30 million passengers a year from all over the world, it is no wonder that this city has much to offer.

Paris entertainment has always been at the top of the world in terms of quality and variety and from film, dance, opera,, Concerts, dance, rock and jazz festivals, cabaret is always a form of entertainment to offer to France for everyone, no matter what time of year you decide to visit this vibrant and cultural city. There are two opera houses in Paris - the Opera Bastille and the Palais Garnier, Opera National de Paris hosts. There are also many other ambient rock, which is playing host to a number of international artists as well known for its many clubs,Night clubs and cabarets like the Moulin Rouge, which became famous throughout the world for its can-can, plus a variety of different festivals, held in Paris, each year.

Of course there are the usual places and attractions that go, we all see when you visit a Paris, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, walk along the Avenue de Champs-Elysees with all its pomp and of the glamor and visiting the Bastille Square. There are alsosome more recent point of reference, the millions of visitors every year in Paris, like La Grande Arche in La Defense business district or the Centre National d'Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou, also known as easy to win the Beaubourg or the Pompidou Centre . Another attraction are the Catacombs of Paris, the tomb is a famous with its network of subterranean tunnels and rooms located underneath, and you can go on an official tour through the old quarry. And banksSeine in Paris, offers the visitor an unforgettable experience to have the opportunity to see the sights from a completely different perspective, while riding in a boat and perhaps sampling the French cuisine at the same time.

But for those of us who want to get away from it all, Region Ile de France, Paris is the center of which is the perfect place and offers a variety of nature, history, art and culture, but all in just out ofPeriphery. Thus, the Ile de France, will be able to explore more than 500 km inland navigable waterways, as well as many miles of trails and historical sites along the beautiful rivers and canals.

But not far from Paris Ile de France, you will discover rich picturesque countryside and suburban forests in the immediate vicinity, and has three national parks and four National Forests and allow you to move away from it allenjoy the natural beauty of France along with the slow pace of life in rural France. With breathtaking scenery, idyllic city, peace and tranquility, along with the abundant wildlife that await its visitors, is the perfect backdrop for a drive in the country, an invigorating walk or a typical French picnic.

And although Paris still tends to have appeal as a destination for lovers, is also an enormous amount of children of all ages who want toAdults! seems to Disneyland Paris with all its magic, one of those destinations, along with Parc Asterix, but there are also some great modern museums that provide interaction, making learning fun. And by interesting, historic towns, the center of it, again in the forests and national parks, amusement or the glitz and glamor of Paris to enjoy something for everyone, but be sure to reserve enough time for this incredible experience Region France.