France offers stunningly beautiful and diverse landscapes, as well as many world-famous monuments full of history and culture. Discover some of France’s cultural and historical treasures in Paris, Normandy and the South.
To start with, make the most of your stay in Paris by visiting the capital’s most famous monuments. You can discover the history of Paris at the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, and for art lovers, stroll through the halls of the Louvre Museum or the Musée d’Orsay.
The two best places to admire the scale of the city of Paris are, of course, the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.
The Arc de Triomphe is located in the centre of the roundabout on Place Charles De Gaulle, where 12 avenues intersect. Built on Napoleon’s orders after the Battle of Austerlitz, it is located at the end of the most beautiful avenue in the world, the Champs Elysées.
Under the Arc de Triomphe lies the tomb of the unknown soldier. This is a highly symbolic, historic monument that houses an eternal flame first lit on 11 November 1923. Each year, in the presence of the President of the French Republic, a commemoration ceremony is held which honours all combatants and victims of the war. November 11 can be compared to American Memorial Day, which honours all American soldiers who have died at war.
To reach the top, climb the 284 steps or take the lift. The view is incredible because the monument is located in the heart of historic Paris: on one side you will spot the Grande Arche de la Défense, surrounded by skyscrapers and the business district, while on the other side you can admire the Champs-Elysées, Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries and the Musée du Louvre, all in a perfect line, not to mention the Eiffel Tower!
The Eiffel Tower, also known as the Iron Lady, was built in 1889 on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition. This monument overlooks the capital from its height of 330 metres! It is located between the Quai Branly and the Champ de Mars, and for a majestic arrival, you can access it by boat from the Seine!
You’ll be blown away by an extraordinary visit to its summit, at 276 metres altitude, and enjoy a panoramic view of the capital – a timeless moment that will leave you breathless. From the tower, you can see the Arc de Triomphe, the Grand Palais, the Louvre, Notre Dame de Paris, and even the Sacre Coeur Basilica, weather permitting. At the top, you’ll find signs explaining the famous sites you can see. You can also discover a reconstruction of the office of Gustave Eiffel. Featuring realistic wax characters, this space depicts the builder of the Tower and his daughter Claire welcoming the famous American inventor, Thomas Edison.
Built on the site of the former Palais d’Orsay, this space was initially a railway station before becoming a world-renowned museum, famous for its rich collection of Impressionist art. Inaugurated in 1986, this museum also showcases all kinds of Western art between 1848 and 1914. Its collections represent all types of visual art, from painting to architecture, sculpture, decorative arts and photography.
You will get the chance to discover many temporary exhibits that take place all year round in the former railway station. During these exhibits, you will be immersed in the artistic universe of a painter, sculptor, photographer or graphic designer. They may also highlight an artistic movement or period, or an element of art history.
You can also choose to explore the former palace of the kings of France, which has become the largest museum in the world, and immerse yourself in almost 10,000 years of art history.
The Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world, located in the centre of Paris in the 1st arrondissement. Nearly 35,000 objects, from prehistory to the 21st century, are on display.
Some works have passed down through the centuries and remained in history to the point they now seem eternal. Even today, beyond borders and cultures, specialists set them apart, so much so that they have become almost universal.
The Louvre is the ideal place to experience a real encounter with a masterpiece: the museum is home to some of the most famous works in history, including paintings, sculptures, architecture and objets d’art, whether the artist is Italian, French or a brilliant and anonymous creator from antiquity. Here, no two masterpieces look alike! You can admire the Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, The Wedding Feast at Cana by Paul Véronèse, and the statue of Venus de Milo.
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