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Paris has had a rich history spanning millenia. Largely spared the ravages of war in the last thousand years, it left many landmarks, symbolic of its status as a seat of power, or simply retracing the life of the city through the ages.

As a Gallo-Roman town, Paris is known as Lutetia, following its capture in 52BC by the Roman Republic. Little remains of that period, save from the thermae (Thermes de Cluny) and an amphitheatre (Arènes de Lutèce). The city was renamed to Paris in AD 360.

Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Paris was taken by the Franks in 464. Clovis I made the city his capital in 506. The Merovingian kings died out in 751, to be replaced by the Carolingians. Charlemagne moved the capital of his empire from Paris to Aachen. Paris was then neglected by the empire, repeatedly raided by Vikings and sacked in the 9th century. in 885, Paris was again under siege, but the Vikings were successfully repelled by Odo, Count of Paris, who became king of Western Francia. His grandnephew Hugh Capet acceding to the throne in 987, founded the Capetian dynasty and made Paris his capital.

Of the early medieval city, largely made of timber, virtually nothing remains. Churches were established during that period, but present-day religious edifices date from a later period. A merovingian palace existed on the Île de la Cité, later becoming the seat of power of the Kings of France beginning with the Capetian line.


Under the Capetians, Paris developed an increasing degree of importance as a royal capital, a centre of learning and an ecclesiastical centre. Under the rule of Philippe Auguste, who took the throne in 1180, a number of major building works were carried out in Paris. He built a new city wall and began the construction of the Palais du Louvre, as well as paving streets and establishing a covered market at Les Halles (where it would remain until 1969).

His grandson Louis IX established the city as a major centre of pilgrimage in the 13th century with the construction of the Sainte-Chapelle on the Île de la Cité, and the completion of the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris and the Saint Denis Basilica.

The Direct Capetian line died out in 1328, leaving no male heir. Edward III of England claimed the French throne by virtue of his descent (via his mother) from Philip IV of France. This was rejected by the French barons, who supported the rival claim of Philippe of Valois (Philip VI of France). The Hundred Years' War thus began, followed swiftly by the arrival of the Black Death. Paris' history in the 14th century was punctuated by outbreaks of plague, political violence and popular uprisings.

The Palais de la Cité of which the towers of the Conciergerie remain, had been the royal residence of the Capetians, but was abandonned under the Valois for the Louvre fortress. Under Charles V, a new city wall was built, as well as the Bastille fortress, extension of the Château de Vincennes was carried out, and the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye was rebuilt.

Francis I is considered the first Renaissance monarch of France. He had the Louvre rebuilt, and financed the construction of the Hôtel de Ville.

The Bourbons succeeded the Valois in 1594. Henry IV undertook a number of major public works in the city, including extensions to the Louvre and construction of the Pont Neuf, Place des Vosges, Place Dauphine, and Hôpital Saint-Louis. Grandiose constructions were undertaken during the reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV. The Tuileries palace was established by Catherine de Médicis, the Palais du Luxembourg by Marie de' Medici, Cardinal de Richelieu built the Palais Royal and rebuilt the Sorbonne. The Chateau de Versailles began as a hunting lodge under Louis XIII, later extended under Louis XIV who made it his seat of power. The Palais Bourbon, Ecole militaire, Panthéon, Invalides, or the Observatoire de Paris are other examples of Paris' transformation under Louis XIV, also marking the revival of classical architecture, and the Englightenment era.

Shortly before the revolution, the Wall of the Farmers-General was erected around Paris, to insure the payment of a toll on goods entering Paris to the Ferme générale. New cemetaries were opened outside the limits of the city, such as that of the Père Lachaise, as old cemetaries within Paris were closed and human remains moved to the catacombs. Paris underwent further transformation during the revolution and Napoleonic era. The Bastille prison was stormed and razed. New canals such as the Canal Saint-Martin were built to supply fresh water to Paris. Napoléon ordered monuments to the glory of the Empire, modelled on Roman monuments, such as the Arc de Triomphe, or the Eglise de la Madeleine. The Palais Brongniart was built to house the Bourse of Paris established by Napoléon. The Tour du Temple and Grand Châtelet were demolished.

In the 1830's, Paris was circled by fortifications, the Enceinte de Thiers.

The second part of the 19th century brought even more changes to Paris. Napoléon III who became Emperor in 1952, decided to modernise Paris, which was carried out by Baron Haussmann. As part of Haussmann's renovation of Paris, large avenues and boulevards were opened through Paris or widened, neighbouring towns were annexed, extending the city to the Enceinte de Thiers and its modern limits. Public parks were laid out to bring green spaces to Parisians: Parc des Buttes Chaumont, Parc Monceau, Parc Montsouris, Bois de Boulogne, Bois de Vincennes. Prestigious edifices were built, such as the Opéra Garnier, Église Saint-Augustin de Paris or Église de la Sainte-Trinité. Work continued after the fall of the Second Empire.

The second part of the 19th century in Europe was also marked by Universal Expositions, where nations exhibited their technology, art or colonial power. Five such expos occured in Paris between 1855 and 1900 and another one in 1937. Many temporary edifices and international pavilions were built for the exhibitions, some of which remain standing. The Palais de l'Industrie was built for the Exposition of 1855, demolished to make way for the Grand Palais for the Exposition of 1900, together with the Petit Palais and Pont Alexandre III. The Palais du Trocadéro was built for 1878, later replaced by the Palais de Chaillot for another Exposition in 1937. The Eiffel Tower was the entrance arch for the Exposition of 1889, saved from demolition to become an icon of Paris. Railway stations and the first line of the Métropolitain were hurried to coincide with Expositions.

As the Belle Époque died with the first world war and Paris was hit by the Great Depression in the interwar period then occupied by German forces in World War II, major developments all but ceased until France had recovered from the war. Efforts were made to modernise the banlieues of Paris. Urban slums in proximity of Paris were dismantled and social housing constructed, creating a number of cités outside Paris, where immigrants and lower classes were massed. Inside Paris, high rise buildings were constructed in the 13th arrondissement, south of the city. A business district known as La Défense began emerging just outside Paris in the 70's,


Landmarks

[edit]
Picture Name Date Description Location
Seine 12,000 BC  • Paris was built around the Seine river, which remains to this day, a prominent and central feature of the city, with its 37 bridges and two central islands
 • The Banks of the Seine in Paris are listed as an UNESCO's World Heritage Site
 • The Seine is a tourist attraction with bateaux mouches offering visitors a view of the city from the river and numerous barges converted into restaurants or nightclubs
 • Converted barges are also used for housing
Arènes de Lutèce 1st century AD The Arènes de Lutèce are remains of an amphitheater from the Gallo-Roman era of Paris, then known as Lutetia (Lutèce in French). 5th arrondissement
Quartier Latin
48°50′42″N 2°21′10″E / 48.84500°N 2.35278°E / 48.84500; 2.35278
Thermes de Cluny 3rd century The Thermes de Cluny are ruins of an ancient thermae from the Gallo-Roman era of Paris, partly subsumed into the Musée de Cluny. The best preserved room is the frigidarium 5th arrondissement
48°51′03″N 02°20′36″E / 48.85083°N 2.34333°E / 48.85083; 2.34333
Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois 7th century - 1570
Restored: 1838-1855
Belfry: 1858 - 1863
Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois is a church. Founded in the 7th century, it was subsequently altered, partially rebuilt and extended over the centuries, giving the edifice a mixed style of romanesque, gothic and renaissance architecture. Its belfry was built in the 19th century. A mairie was built on the other side of the tower, closely matching the appearance of the church. 1st arrondissement
48°51′34″N 2°20′28″E / 48.85944°N 2.34111°E / 48.85944; 2.34111
Conciergerie
&
Palais de Justice
9th century - 1883 Originally a Merovingian palace, then from the 10th to the 14th centuries the seat of the medieval Kings of France, the Palais de la Cité was abandonned for the Louvre in 1358. The section known as the Conciergerie was converted into a prison in 1391 and remained so until 1914. It is now open to the public as a national historical monument. The rest of the palace kept being used for administrative purposes, housing the Parlement de Paris, and the Chambre des comptes. It now forms the Palais de Justice, housing the Cour de Cassation - the highest jurisdiction in the French judicial order - as well as the Paris Court of Appeal and Tribunal de Grande Instance. Of the medieval Palais de la Cité, only the three towers of the Conciergerie, and the Sainte-Chapelle survived, the site was largely rebuilt in the 19th century, giving it its current appearance. 1st arrondissement
Île de la Cité
48°51′23″N 2°20′44″E / 48.85639°N 2.34556°E / 48.85639; 2.34556
48°51′21″N 2°20′42″E / 48.855722°N 2.345051°E / 48.855722; 2.345051
Abbaye de Saint-Germain-des-Prés 1014 Founded in the 6th century by Childebert I, son of Clovis the Abbaye de Saint-Germain-des-Prés was the burial place of Merovingian kings of Neustria. Destroyed by the Vikings in the 9th century, it was rebuilt in the 11th century, and considered the oldest religious edifice of Paris. It gave its name to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. 6th arrondissement
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
48°51′14″N 2°20′04″E / 48.85389°N 2.33444°E / 48.85389; 2.33444
Saint Pierre de Montmartre 1133 - 1147 Saint-Pierre de Montmartre is one of the oldest churches in Paris, located on the hill of Montmartre next to the Sacré-Cœur. It was built on the site of previous churches, dating from the 8th and 10th century. It is of romanesque and early gothic style. Its tower was erected in 1794 for the Chappe optical semaphore. 18th arrondissement
Montmartre
48°53′12″N 2°20′31″E / 48.88667°N 2.34194°E / 48.88667; 2.34194
Notre Dame de Paris 1163 - 1345
Restored: 1845 - 1870
Restored: 1991 -


 • Gothic cathedral of the Catholic archdiocese of Paris
 • Restoration by Viollet le Duc included the construction of the flèche as well as the ornamental chimeras||align="center"|4th arrondissement
Île de la Cité
48°51′11″N 2°20′59″E / 48.8530°N 2.3498°E / 48.8530; 2.3498

Sainte-Chapelle 1242 - 1248
Restored:1855
The Sainte Chapelle is a Gothic chapel built under Saint Louis to house the Crown of Thorns and other relics. 1st arrondissement
Île de la Cité
48°51′20″N 2°20′41″E / 48.85556°N 2.34472°E / 48.85556; 2.34472
Hôtel de Cluny 1334
Rebuilt:1485 - 1510
Originally the town house (hôtel) of the abbots of Cluny, the Hôtel de Cluny was rebuilt in the Gothic and renaissance style in the 15th and 16th century and converted into a museum in 1843. 5th arrondissement
Quartier Latin
48°51′02″N 2°20′36″E / 48.85056°N 2.34333°E / 48.85056; 2.34333
Hôtel de Soubise Gate:1375
1704
Originally Hôtel de Clisson, built to be the residence of Olivier de Clisson in the 14th century, then rebuilt as the Hôtel de Guise for Francis, Duke of Guise, it was again rebuilt for François de Rohan-Soubise in the 18th century. Of the original building, only the entrance gate (pictured) remains. The Hôtel de Soubise houses the Musée de l'Histoire de France since Napoleon III. 2nd arrondissement
Marais
48°51′38″N 2°21′30″E / 48.86056°N 2.35833°E / 48.86056; 2.35833
Hôtel de Sens 1475 - 1519 The Hôtel de Sens was a late gothic Hôtel particulier of the archbishops of Sens, today housing a library. This mansion is one of three medieval private residences remaining in Paris. 4th arrondissement
Marais
48°51′12″N 2°21′33″E / 48.85333°N 2.35917°E / 48.85333; 2.35917
Saint-Étienne-du-Mont 1494 - 1624 Saint-Étienne-du-Mont is a gothic and renaissance style church, located on the Montage Sainte-Geneviève. It contains the shrine of Sainte Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. 5th arrondissement
Montagne Sainte-Geneviève
48°50′48″N 2°20′53″E / 48.84667°N 2.34806°E / 48.84667; 2.34806
Saint-Jacques Tower 1509 – 1523 The Tour Saint-Jacques is a Gothic tower once part of the church Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie demolished in 1797. 4th arrondissement
48°51′27.95″N 2°20′55.60″E / 48.8577639°N 2.3487778°E / 48.8577639; 2.3487778
Église Saint-Eustache 1532 – 1632 The Église Saint-Eustache is a Gothic church built during the renaissance. 1st arrondissement
Halles
48°51′48″N 2°20′42″E / 48.86333°N 2.34500°E / 48.86333; 2.34500
Hôtel de Ville 1533 – 1628
Extended: 1835
Rebuilt: 1873 - 1892
The Hôtel de Ville is Paris city hall. It was built under Francis I in the renaissance style. Ruined by fire during the Paris Commune in 1871, it was rebuilt as a copy of the original building soon after. 4th arrondissement
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
48°51′23″N 2°21′08″E / 48.85639°N 2.35222°E / 48.85639; 2.35222
Louvre 1546 -
The Louvre was the seat of power in France from the late medieval era until Louis XIV moved to Versailles in 1682 • National museum of France
 •
 • The Louvre occupies the site of a 12th-century fortress of King Philip Augustus, its foundations still exist
1st arrondissement
48°51′40″N 2°20′09″E / 48.861073°N 2.335784°E / 48.861073; 2.335784
Pont Neuf 1578 - 1607
Restored: 1994 - 2007
The Pont Neuf ("new bridge") is the oldest standing bridge across the Seine in Paris, built under Henry III, and completed under the reign of Henry IV. 1st & 6th arrondissement
Île de la Cité
48°51′24″N 02°20′27″E / 48.85667°N 2.34083°E / 48.85667; 2.34083
Place des Vosges 1605 - 1612  • Oldest square in Paris
3rd & 4th arrondissement
Marais
48°51′20″N 2°21′56″E / 48.85556°N 2.36556°E / 48.85556; 2.36556
Jardin du Luxembourg 1612
Extended: 1782
A large public park, garden of the Luxembourg Palace. It features a French garden, an English garden an orchard, a hundred statues, monuments and fountains scattered throughout the grounds and a puppet theater. 6th arrondissement
48°50′49″N 2°20′14″E / 48.84694°N 2.33722°E / 48.84694; 2.33722
Palais du Luxembourg 1612 - 1631 Originally home of Marie de Médicis, it was used as a prison during the Reign of Terror, then was assigned to the Directoire and later the Sénat conservateur. It is now the seat of the senate. It is bordered by the Jardin du Luxembourg. 6th arrondissement
48°50′54″N 2°20′14″E / 48.84833°N 2.33722°E / 48.84833; 2.33722
Moulin de la Galette 1622 ? The Moulin de la Galette is a classified windmill situated near the top of Montmartre, previously a famous guinguette, it is now a restaurant. 18th arrondissement
Montmartre
48°53′14.63″N 2°20′13.36″E / 48.8873972°N 2.3370444°E / 48.8873972; 2.3370444
Val-de-Grâce Abbey: 1624 - 1643
Church:1645 - 1667
In 1621 an abbey devoted to the nativity was founded at the Val-de-Grâce by Queen Anne of Austria. Following the birth of her son, the future Louis XIV, and fulfilling a vow, the now regent queen ordered the construction of a magnificent church. The church was built in the the baroque style. At the revolution, the site of the abbey was converted into a military hospital, and now houses a museum, a library and a school. 5th arrondissement
{48°50′21″N 2°20′40″E / 48.83917°N 2.34444°E / 48.83917; 2.34444
Palais-Royal 1624 - 1790 Originally Palais Cardinal, the home of Cardinal Richelieu, it became a royal residence at his death. Today, it houses the Conseil d'État, the Constitutional Council, and the Ministry of Culture. At the rear of the garden are the older buildings of the Bibliothèque nationale de France. 1st arrondissement
48°51′48″N 2°20′13″E / 48.86333°N 2.33694°E / 48.86333; 2.33694
Sorbonne 1629 - 1642 Originally Collège de Sorbonne, a theological college of the University of Paris founded in 1257, the Sorbonne is now part of the university system in Paris. The chapel, now a secular building, was constructed in the baroque style under Richelieu. 5th arrondissement
48°50′55″N 2°20′36″E / 48.84861°N 2.34333°E / 48.84861; 2.34333
Jardin des plantes
&
Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
1635 Originally Jardin du Roi ("Royal garden"), the Jardin des Plantes was renamed at the revolution. It is a botanical garden, featuring a rosary, three greenhouses, a menagerie, a school of botany, and the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (pictured). 5th arrondissement
48°50′38″N 2°21′35″E / 48.84389°N 2.35972°E / 48.84389; 2.35972
Église Saint-Sulpice 1646 - 1732 The second largest church in Paris after Notre Dame de Paris, of classicising style, it was erected over a romanesque church originally constructed during the 13th century. 6th arrondissement
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
48°51′04″N 2°20′05″E / 48.85111°N 2.33472°E / 48.85111; 2.33472
Collège des Quatre-Nations
Institut de France
1662 - 1688
1691
The Collège des Quatre-Nations was one of the colleges of the historic University of Paris. Founded by cardinal Mazarin, the college was affected in 1805 to the Institut de France, created in 1795 and previously housed in the Louvre. 6th arrondissement
48°51′26.3″N 2°20′13.0″E / 48.857306°N 2.336944°E / 48.857306; 2.336944

Jardin des Tuileries 1664 The Jardin des Tuileries was once the garden of the Tuileries Palace, demolished in 1883. It now links Place de la Concorde to the Louvre along the axe historique. The parterres were laid out under Louis XIV by André Le Notre. The Jardin des Tuileries covers about 25 hectares, it features several ponds, numerous statues, the Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume, a museum of contemporary art originally a court to play the jeu de paume, and the Musée de l'Orangerie, an art gallery of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, originally an orangerie. 1st arrondissement
48°51′49″N 02°19′36″E / 48.86361°N 2.32667°E / 48.86361; 2.32667
Observatoire de Paris 1667 - 1671 Built under Louis XIV, the Observatoire de Paris is an astronomical observatory in Paris. Established on two other sites outside Paris, it serves as a research and education centre in astronomy. Its first director was Cassini 6th arrondissement
48°50′11.18″N 2°20′11.42″E / 48.8364389°N 2.3365056°E / 48.8364389; 2.3365056
Hôtel des Invalides 1670 - 1708 Originally a hospital complex for invalid war veterans built under Louis XIV, it now houses several museums including the Musée de l'Armée. It is also the burial site of great military men of France, most notably Napoleon. The classical church and its dome is a prominent feature. 7th arrondissement
48°51′18″N 2°18′45″E / 48.85500°N 2.31250°E / 48.85500; 2.31250
Porte Saint-Denis 1672
Restored:1988
The Porte Saint-Denis is a triumphal arch inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome, celebrating victories of Louis XIV, built at the site of one of the gates of the now-destroyed medieval fortifications of Paris. 10th arrondissement
48°52′11″N 02°21′09.49″E / 48.86972°N 2.3526361°E / 48.86972; 2.3526361
Porte Saint-Martin 1674
Restored:1988
The Porte Saint-Martin is a triumphal arch in celebration of Louis XIV's victories, built at the site of one of the gates of the now-destroyed medieval fortifications of Paris. 10th arrondissement
48°52′08.90″N 02°21′20.25″E / 48.8691389°N 2.3556250°E / 48.8691389; 2.3556250
Place Vendôme 1685 Located near the Tuileries Gardens and the Église de la Madeleine, the Place Vendôme is reknown for its deluxe hôtels particuliers and its jewellers. The Hôtel Ritz is situated there. A column was erected in the centre under Napoleon to celebrate the victory of Austerlitz 1st arrondissement
48°52′03″N 2°19′46″E / 48.86750°N 2.32944°E / 48.86750; 2.32944
Palais de l'Élysée 1718 - 1722 The Palais de l'Élysée is the official residence of the President of the French Republic. Originally Hôtel d'Evreux, an hôtel particulier, built in the 18th century, it changed hands many time and has been used for various purposes until it became the president's residence under the second republic. 8th arrondissement
48°52′13″N 2°18′59″E / 48.87028°N 2.31639°E / 48.87028; 2.31639
Palais Bourbon 1722 - 1728 Originally a palace built for the duchesse de Bourbon, daughter of Louis XIV, the neoclassical Palais Bourbon is the seat of the Assemblée Nationale, the lower house of the parliament. 7th arrondissement
48°51′43″N 2°19′07″E / 48.862036°N 2.318593°E / 48.862036; 2.318593
École Militaire 1752 - 1760 Founded by Louis XV in 1750, École Militaire is a military school complex in the continuation of the Champ de Mars from the Eiffel Tower. It now houses the Collège interarmées de défense and Institut des hautes études de défense nationale. 7th arrondissement
48°51′09″N 2°18′13″E / 48.85250°N 2.30361°E / 48.85250; 2.30361
Place de la Concorde 1753 - 1772 The Place de la Concorde is the largest square in Paris, down the Champs-Élysées, bordered by the Seine river, the Tuileries Gardens, and buildings housing the French Naval Ministry or the luxury Hôtel de Crillon. The Palais Bourbon is across the Seine, the Embassy of the United States nearby. The (octogonal) square is decorated with statues at each corner, and an obelisk that once marked the entrance to the Luxor Temple was placed in its centre in 1833. 8th arrondissement
48°51′56″N 2°19′16″E / 48.86556°N 2.32111°E / 48.86556; 2.32111
Panthéon 1758 - 1789 The Panthéon was built as a church dedicated to Geneviève, patron saint of Paris under Louis XV. An early example of neoclassic architecture, its facade was modelled on the Pantheon in Rome. It has become a burial place reserved to the great men of France. 5th arrondissement
Montagne Sainte-Geneviève
48°50′46″N 2°20′45″E / 48.84611°N 2.34583°E / 48.84611; 2.34583
Champ de Mars 1765 The Champs de Mars is a public park located between the Eiffel Tower and École Militaire. Originally a mere field, it was levelled and laid out for the purpose of military maneuver by the École Militaire. It has been the site of the Fête de la Fédération in 1790, a central location of the World Fairs in 1867, 1878, 1898 and 1900, and has been otherwise used for numerous exhibitions and open air events. 7th arrondissement
48°51′22″N 2°17′54″E / 48.85611°N 2.29833°E / 48.85611; 2.29833
Bourse de commerce de Paris 1763 – 1767
Rebuilt: 1806 - 1811
Rebuilt: 1885 - 1889
The Bourse de commerce de Paris was originally built as a wheat market (Halle aux blés), it was rebuilt in the 19th century as a commodity market, and today houses the Chambre de Commerce de Paris and used as an exhibition centre. 1st arrondissement
48°51′45.83″N 2°20′34″E / 48.8627306°N 2.34278°E / 48.8627306; 2.34278
Ecole de chirurgie 1769 - 1774 The Ecole de Chirurgie (surgery school) is a Neoclassical edifice, built under Louis XV, now part of Université René Descartes. 5th arrondissement
48°51′4.28″N 2°20′26.26″E / 48.8511889°N 2.3406278°E / 48.8511889; 2.3406278
Parc Monceau 1769 - 1778 Established by Philippe d'Orléans, the Parc Monceau is an "English garden" featuring many scaled-down architectural pieces and statues of famous French figures. A rotunda, remain of the wall of the Farmers-General, is found there. 8th arrondissement
48°52′46″N 2°18′33.22″E / 48.87944°N 2.3092278°E / 48.87944; 2.3092278
Hôtel des Monnaies 1771 - 1775 The hôtel des Monnaies is a neoclassical building, housing the Monnaie de Paris. 6th arrondissement
48°51′23.54″N 2°20′20.02″E / 48.8565389°N 2.3388944°E / 48.8565389; 2.3388944
Théâtre de l'Odéon 1779 - 1782 Neoclassical edifice built under Louis XVI, the Théatre de l'Odéon is one of France's six "national theatres". 6th arrondissement
48°50′58.2″N 2°20′19.5″E / 48.849500°N 2.338750°E / 48.849500; 2.338750
Wall of the Farmers-General 1785 - 1788 Shortly before the revolution, the Ferme générale had a wall erected around Paris intended to ensure the payment of a toll (octroi) on goods entering the city. Demolished during Haussmann's renovation of Paris, a few vestiges remain near Place de Stalingrad (pictured), Place de la Nation, Place Denfert-Rochereau and parc Monceau Multiple[1]
Catacombs of Paris 1786
1810
A famous underground ossuary in the old mines of Paris, where the remains of condemned cemeteries in the growing city were moved. The Catacombs are open to the public from Place Denfert-Rochereau. 14th arrondissement
Denfert Rochereau
48°50′02.43″N 2°19′56.36″E / 48.8340083°N 2.3323222°E / 48.8340083; 2.3323222
Lycée Henri-IV 1791 Built on the site of the former Abbey of St Genevieve that was demolished shortly after the revolution save for its bell tower (Tour Clovis), originally École centrale du Panthéon then Lycée Napoléon, the Lycée Henri-IV is a reputed secondary school, the first Lycée established in France. 5th arrondissement
Montagne Sainte-Geneviève
48°50′45″N 2°20′52″E / 48.84583°N 2.34778°E / 48.84583; 2.34778
Place de la Bastille 1792 Place de la Bastille is a square located on the site of the former fortress-prison Bastille, stormed and demolished during the revolution. The July Column was erected in its centre, to commemorate the July Revolution. The Opera Bastille borders the square. 4th, 11th & 12th arrondissements
48°51′11.3″N 2°22′8.8″E / 48.853139°N 2.369111°E / 48.853139; 2.369111
Pont des Arts 1802 - 1804
1981 - 1984
A pedestrian bridge - the first metal bridge in Paris - built under Napoleon, rebuilt in the 20th century due to structural damage and eventual collapse. The bridge has sometimes served as a place for art exhibitions, and is today an open air studio for painters, artists and photographers. 1st & 6th arrondissements
48°51′30″N 02°20′15″E / 48.85833°N 2.33750°E / 48.85833; 2.33750
Canal Saint-Martin 1802 – 1825 The Canal Saint-Martin is an artificial waterway constructed under Napoléon to supply Paris with fresh water. The canal is a popular attraction for tourists and parisians alike. 10th & 11th arrondissements
48°52′29.61″N 2°21′48.19″E / 48.8748917°N 2.3633861°E / 48.8748917; 2.3633861
Cimetière du Père Lachaise 1804 The Cimetière du Père Lachaise is the largest cemetary in Paris, established under Napoléon just outside Paris, as cemetaries within the city were saturated and closed for sanitary reasons. The cemetaries of Montparnasse, Montmartre and Passy were opened for the same reason in the 19th century. Père Lachaise is the burial place of many famous people. 20th arrondissement
48°51′36″N 2°23′46″E / 48.860°N 2.396°E / 48.860; 2.396
Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel 1806 - 1808 The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is a monument that was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon to commemorate military victories of the previous year. It is modelled on the Arch of Constantine in Rome 1st arrondissement
48°51′43″N 2°19′58″E / 48.86194°N 2.33278°E / 48.86194; 2.33278
Arc de Triomphe 1806 - 1836 One of the most famous monuments in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate victories of the Napoleonic Wars and in honour of those who fought for France. It was inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies underneath. 8th, 16th & 17th arrondissements
Place de l'Étoile
48°52′26″N 2°17′42″E / 48.8738°N 2.2950°E / 48.8738; 2.2950
Église de la Madeleine 1806 - 1811 The Église de la Madeleine is a neoclassic Roman Catholic church inspired by the antique Maison Carrée in Nîmes. Originally built as a memorial to the glory of Napoleon's Grande Armée, it was turned into a church under the Bourbon Restoration. 8th arrondissement
48°52′12″N 2°19′27″E / 48.87000°N 2.32417°E / 48.87000; 2.32417
Palais Brongniart 1807 - 1825 The neoclassical Palais Brongniart housed the Bourse de Paris (Paris stock exchange) until replaced by an electronic trading system at the end of the 80's, future use of the Palais Brongniart is under examination as of 2009. 2nd arrondissement
48°52′09″N 2°20′29″E / 48.86917°N 2.34139°E / 48.86917; 2.34139
Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève 1843 - 1850 The Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève is a library located on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève. It was designed in Neo-Renaissance style, although its underlying metal structure relates it to cast iron architecture. 5th arrondissement
Montagne Sainte-Geneviève
48°50′49.5″N 2°20′45″E / 48.847083°N 2.34583°E / 48.847083; 2.34583
Basilique Sainte-Clotilde 1846 - 1857 The Basilique Sainte-Clotilde is a 19th century's Neo-gothic church, most striking for its twin spires. 7th arrondissement
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
48°51′30″N 2°19′09″E / 48.85833°N 2.31917°E / 48.85833; 2.31917
Cirque d'hiver 1852 Formerly known as Cirque Napoléon, the Cirque d'hiver has been a prominent venue for circuses, exhibitions of dressage, musical concerts and other events, today also including fashion shows. 11th arrondissement
48°51′48″N 2°22′03″E / 48.86337°N 2.36753°E / 48.86337; 2.36753
Bois de Boulogne 1852 The Bois de Boulogne is a large wooded area on the west side of Paris. It was made a public park by Napoleon III and annexed to Paris in 1929. It is home to an hippodrome, a menagerie, a botanical garden and the small neoclassical Château de Bagatelle. 16th arrondissement
48°51′53″N 2°15′03″E / 48.86472°N 2.25083°E / 48.86472; 2.25083
Bouquinistes 1859 The Bouquinistes (slang for "librarians") form a permanent used book open-air market along the banks of the Seine in the centre of Paris, where their open stands or closed green boxes are a familiar sight. Banks of the Seine
Bois de Vincennes 1860 The Bois de Vincenne is a large wooded area on the east side of Paris. It was made a public park by Napoleon III, and annexed to Paris proper in 1929. It is home to a zoo, an arboretum, several sport venues such as a velodrome and hippodrome. The Château de Vincennes borders the park. 16th arrondissement
48°49′41.05″N 2°25′58.50″E / 48.8280694°N 2.4329167°E / 48.8280694; 2.4329167
Parc des Buttes Chaumont 1860 - 1867 A large public park, laid out on a hill (the Buttes-Chaumont) under Napoleon III as part of Haussmann's renovation of Paris. 19th arrondissement
48°52′49″N 2°22′58″E / 48.88028°N 2.38278°E / 48.88028; 2.38278
Église Saint-Augustin de Paris 1860 - 1871  • A Second Empire church of eclectic architecture. 8th arrondissement
48°52′34″N 2°19′8″E / 48.87611°N 2.31889°E / 48.87611; 2.31889
Cathédrale Saint-Alexandre-Nevski 1861 Russian orthodox cathedral, seat of the Patriarchal Exarchate for Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe 8th arrondissement
48°52′39.30″N 02°18′07.09″E / 48.8775833°N 2.3019694°E / 48.8775833; 2.3019694
Église de la Sainte-Trinité 1861 - 1867 The Église de la Sainte-Trinité is a Second Empire church of renaissance inspiration, built as part of Haussmann's renovation of Paris. It is known for its former organist and famous composer, Olivier Messiaen. 9th arrondissement
48°52′38″N 2°19′53″E / 48.87722°N 2.33139°E / 48.87722; 2.33139
Palais Garnier 1862 - 1875 An opera house, formerly Opéra Garnier, renamed Palais Garnier after the Opéra National de Paris chose the Opéra Bastille as their principal theatre upon its completion in 1989. It was built in the Neo-baroque style. 9th arrondissement
48°52′19″N 2°19′54″E / 48.87194°N 2.33167°E / 48.87194; 2.33167
Printemps 1865-1955 One of the grands magasins in Paris. 9th arrondissement
48°52′27″N 2°19′42″E / 48.8740761°N 2.3284686°E / 48.8740761; 2.3284686
Parc Montsouris 1867 - 1878 Along with the Buttes Chaumont, Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes, the Parc Montsouris was created as part of Haussmann's renovation of Paris. It is an English landscape park, featuring a lake, a vast number of trees and a restaurant. It borders the Cité Universitaire. 14th arrondissement
48°49′20″N 2°20′18″E / 48.82222°N 2.33833°E / 48.82222; 2.33833
Grande synagogue de Paris 1867 - 1874 9th arrondissement
48°52′31.79″N 2°20′10.95″E / 48.8754972°N 2.3363750°E / 48.8754972; 2.3363750
Wallace fountains 1875 - ? The Wallace fountains are public drinking fountains that appear in the form of small cast-iron sculptures scattered throughout Paris, mainly along the most-frequented sidewalks. They are named after Sir Richard Wallace, who financed their construction to relieve the City following the Franco-Prussian War and Paris Commune Throughout Paris
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur 1875 - 1914  • Basilica dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
 • Romano-Byzantine style
 • Originally chosen to "expiate the crimes of the communards"
18th arrondissement
Montmartre
48°53′13″N 2°20′35″E / 48.88694°N 2.34306°E / 48.88694; 2.34306
Crédit Lyonnais headquarters 1876 - 1913 An imposing edifice of Haussmannian style, headquarters of Crédit Lyonnais. 2nd arrondissement
48°52′14.95″N 2°20′11.45″E / 48.8708194°N 2.3365139°E / 48.8708194; 2.3365139
Eiffel Tower 1887 – 1889  • Entrance arch for the Exposition Universelle of 1989
 • Used as a radio tower since 1921
7th arrondissement
48°51′30″N 2°17′40″E / 48.8583°N 2.2945°E / 48.8583; 2.2945
Replicas of the Statue of Liberty
&
Flame of Liberty
1889
1989
Three replicas of the Statue of Liberty are found in Paris, one stands in the Jardin du Luxembourg, another on the Île aux Cygnes looking towards its "larger sister" in New York Harbour, a third is in the Musée des Arts et Métiers. A full-scale copy of the torch, the Flamme de la Liberté, can also be seen above the entrance to the Pont de l'Alma tunnel. Multiple[2]
File:Pont Alexandre III 23 May 2006.jpg Pont Alexandre III 1896 - 1900 The Pont Alexandre III is a very ornate arch bridge built for the Exposition Universelle of 1900. It connects the Invalides to the nearby Petit and Grand Palais across the Seine. 7th & 8th arrondissement
48°51′49″N 2°18′49″E / 48.86361°N 2.31361°E / 48.86361; 2.31361
Petit Palais 1897 - 1899
Restored: 2000 - 2005
The Petit Palais was an exhibition hall built for the Exposition Universelle of 1900, it now houses the Musée des beaux-arts. It is located across the Grand Palais. 8th arrondissement
48°51′58″N 2°18′53″E / 48.866084°N 2.314759°E / 48.866084; 2.314759
Grand Palais 1897 - 1900
Restored: 1993 - 2005
The Grand Palais was an exhibition hall built for the Exposition Universelle of 1900 over the former Palais de l'Industrie of previous world fairs. Its architecture is of Eclectic style, characteristic of Beaux-Arts. 8th arrondissement
48°51′58.18″N 2°18′45.19″E / 48.8661611°N 2.3125528°E / 48.8661611; 2.3125528
Gare d'Orsay
Musée d'Orsay
1898 - 1900
1980 - 1986
The Beaux-Arts edifice of the Musée d'Orsay was formerly a train station, opened shortly before the Exposition Universelle of 1900. It was converted into a museum of art in 1986. It holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1915, particularly of the impressionist movement. 7th arrondissement
48°51′36″N 2°19′37″E / 48.860°N 2.327°E / 48.860; 2.327
Moulin Rouge 1889  • Famous cabaret 18th arrondissement
48°53′3″N 2°19′56″E / 48.88417°N 2.33222°E / 48.88417; 2.33222
Métropolitain 1900 - The Métropolitain, more commonly shortened to Métro, is the rapid transit system of Paris. The first line opened in 1900, coinciding with the Exposition Universelle of 1900, and now forms an extensive network reaching into nearby suburbs. Its many art nouveau entrances are iconic symbols of Paris. Covers the whole of Paris
List of stations of the Paris Métro
Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris 1925 - The Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris is a private park and foundation that maintains several dozen residences for international students and visiting academics in the Île-de-France region. The complex was built throughout the 20th century, several structures have been designed by architects of note. 14th arrondissement
48°49′16″N 2°20′17″E / 48.82111°N 2.33806°E / 48.82111; 2.33806
Grande Mosquée de Paris 1926 The Grande Mosquée de Paris was founded after World War I as a sign of France's gratefulness to the Muslim tirailleurs from the colonies who had fought against Germany. The Mosque was built following the mudéjar style. 5th arrondissement
48°50′31″N 2°21′18″E / 48.84194°N 2.35500°E / 48.84194; 2.35500
La Samaritaine 1933 One of the Grand Magasins in Paris, founded in 1869, progressively expanded and reworked, the current predominently Art deco building was completed in 1933. La Samaritaine was closed in 2005 for restructuring. 1st arrondissement
48°51′32″N 2°20′31.5″E / 48.85889°N 2.342083°E / 48.85889; 2.342083
Palais de Tokyo 1934 - 1937 Built for the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne of 1937, the Palais des Musées d’Art Moderne renamed Palais de Tokyo houses the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (a museum of modern art). 16th arrondissement
48°51′50″N 2°17′50″E / 48.86389°N 2.29722°E / 48.86389; 2.29722
Palais de Chaillot 1937 Built for the Exposition Internationale of 1937, replacing the Palais du Trocadéro itself built for the Exposition Universelle of 1878, the Palais de Chaillot houses several museums (Musée national de la Marine, Musée de l'Homme, Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine). 16th arrondissement
48°51′46″N 2°17′14″E / 48.86278°N 2.28722°E / 48.86278; 2.28722
File:Montparnasse tower.jpg Tour Montparnasse 1969 - 1972 The Tour Montparnasse is the tallest skyscraper in Paris and France. It is mainly occupied by offices although a restaurant on the 56th floor, and the terrace on the top floor, are open to the public. 15th arrondissement
48°50′32″N 2°19′19″E / 48.8421°N 2.3220°E / 48.8421; 2.3220
100px Centre Georges Pompidou 1971 - 1977 The Centre Georges Pompidou named after the French president houses the Musée National d'Art Moderne, as well as IRCAM. It was designed in the style of High-tech architecture. 4th arrondissement
48°51′38″N 2°21′09″E / 48.860653°N 2.352411°E / 48.860653; 2.352411
Forum des Halles 1975 - 1986 The Forum des Halles is a huge and mostly underground shopping precinct located at the site of the traditional central market of Paris (Les Halles). Criticized for its appearance, the Forum will be replaced by a new design (Carreau des Halles) in the upcoming years. 1st arrondissement
48°51′46″N 2°20′40″E / 48.86278°N 2.34444°E / 48.86278; 2.34444
Arab World Institute 1981 - 1987 The Institut du Monde Arabe was established in 1980 in Paris, when 18 Arab countries concluded an agreement with France to establish the Institute to disseminate information about the Arab world and set in motion detailed research to cover Arabic and the Arab world’s culture. 5th arrondissement
48°50′56″N 2°21′23″E / 48.84889°N 2.35639°E / 48.84889; 2.35639
File:VBRITTO-cite-sciences-geode.jpg Parc de la Villette 1982 Built on the site of the former slaughterhouses of Paris, the Parc de la Villette is a large public park housing public facilities devoted to science and music such as the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie the Géode (pictured) or the Cité de la Musique. It also features playgrounds for children, and numerous architectural follies. 19th arrondissement
48°53′40″N 2°23′19″E / 48.89444°N 2.38861°E / 48.89444; 2.38861
Minister of the Economy, Industry and Employment 1984 - 1989 A prominent modern building in the Bercy area, housing the Minister of the Economy, Industry and Employement as well as the Minister for the Budget, Public Accounts and Civil Service, often just refered as "Bercy". 12th arrondissement
Bercy
48°50′21″N 2°22′33″E / 48.83917°N 2.37583°E / 48.83917; 2.37583
Opéra Bastille 1984 - 1989 The Opéra de la Bastille is a modern opera house home of the Opéra National de Paris. 12th arrondissement
Bastille
48°51′07″N 2°22′14″E / 48.85194°N 2.37056°E / 48.85194; 2.37056
Parc de Belleville 1988 Located on the hill of Belleville, the Parc de Belleville is a recent addition to Paris. Its main feature is a 100 metre-long waterfall fountain, it is adorned with numerous trees, shrubs and some vines in remembrance of the vines that were grown there once. 20th arrondissement
Belleville
48°52′15″N 2°23′05″E / 48.87083°N 2.38472°E / 48.87083; 2.38472
Promenade plantée 1988 A long and narrow "park" in Paris, elevated in places, running 4.5 kilometres from Opéra Bastille to the Boulevard Périphérique towards the Bois de Vincennes, following the path of an abandoned 19th-century railway viaduct. 12th arrondissement
48°50′59″N 2°22′16″E / 48.849646°N 2.371247°E / 48.849646; 2.371247
Cinémathèque Française 1994 The Cinémathèque Française holds a large archive of films, movie documents and film-related objects. It is located in the Parc de Bercy in a postmodern building. 12th arrondissement
Bercy
48°50′13″N 2°22′57″E / 48.83694°N 2.38250°E / 48.83694; 2.38250
File:Vue globale de la BNF.jpg Bibliothèque nationale de France 1996 Houses the National library of France
 • The modern site was sponsored by former President of France François Mitterrand
13th arrondissement
Bercy
48°50′01″N 2°22′33″E / 48.83361°N 2.37583°E / 48.83361; 2.37583
Bercy Village 2001 Bercy Village is a rehabilitated area of Bercy, formerly the wine warehouses of Paris, fallen into disuse in the second half ot the 20th century. The area, restored rather than rebuilt, now forms an atypical commercial and leisure centre. 12th arrondissement
Bercy
48°49′59″N 2°23′11″E / 48.8331°N 2.3865°E / 48.8331; 2.3865
100px Musée du quai Branly 2006 A project championned by Jacques Chirac, the Musée du quai Branly is a museum that features indigenous art, cultures and civilizations from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. Its architecture is daring, combining a post modern complex with a hilly garden and other natural elements, most notable through its green wall. 7th arrondissement
48°51′39″N 2°17′51″E / 48.86083°N 2.29750°E / 48.86083; 2.29750

Former landmarks

[edit]
Picture Name Date Description Location
Tour du Temple Built:1240
Demolished:1808
Originally a fortress built by the Knights Templar under Saint Louis, the Tour du Temple is notorious for having been the French royal family's jail at the time of the Revolution. In 1808, the Temple having become a place of pilgrimage for royalists, Napoleon ordered its demolition. 3rd arrondissement
48°51′55″N 2°21′44″E / 48.86528°N 2.36222°E / 48.86528; 2.36222
Bastille Built:1370–1383
Demolished:1789
The Bastille was a fortress built during the Hundred Years War. Converted into a prison under Louis XIII, it was stormed during the revolution, and demolished a few months later. Today, its outline is marked on the pavement of streets and sidewalks that pass over its former location. 4th, 11th & 12th arrondissement
Bastille
48°51′12″N 2°22′6″E / 48.85333°N 2.36833°E / 48.85333; 2.36833
Palais des Tuileries Built:1564 - 1600's
Demolished:1883
Construction of the Palais des Tuileries was ordered by Catherine de' Medici. Enlarged and partially rebuilt in the 17th century, it has been used as the royal residence at several points of history, and as the imperial residence by both emperors. Communards set the Tuileries on fire in 1871, causing its demolition in 1883. Proposition have been made to rebuild the Palace though as of 2009, there is no plan to do so. 1st arrondissement
48°51′50″N 2°19′34″E / 48.86389°N 2.32611°E / 48.86389; 2.32611
Grand Châtelet Built:1684
Demolished:1802-1810
Originally a stronghold built under Louis VI, rebuilt under Charles V, fallen into disrepair, rebuilt again under Louis XIV, the Grand Châtelet was demolished following the revolution as part of the general refurbishment of the area. 1st & [[4th arrondissement
Châtelet
48°51′27″N 2°20′50″E / 48.85750°N 2.34722°E / 48.85750; 2.34722
Palais de l'Industrie Built:1855
Demolished:1897
Built for the Exposition Universelle of 1855, the Palais de l'Industrie was a spectacular exhibition hall designed to rival London's Crystal Palace. It was demolished in 1897 to make way for the Petit and Grand Palais for the Exposition Universelle of 1900. 8th arrondissement
48°51′58.18″N 2°18′45.19″E / 48.8661611°N 2.3125528°E / 48.8661611; 2.3125528
Palais du Trocadéro Built:1878
Demolished:1937
Of Moorish and Neo-Byzantine inspiration, the Palais du Trocadéro was built for the 1878 Exposition Universelle on the hill of Chaillot. It was demolished and replaced by the Palais de Chaillot for the Exposition of 1937. 16th arrondissement
48°51′46″N 2°17′14″E / 48.86278°N 2.28722°E / 48.86278; 2.28722

Outside Paris

[edit]

The following entries, although in close proximity and commonly associated to Paris, are located in bordering suburbs.

Picture Name Date Description Location
Chateau de Vincennes Date Desc Vincennes
48°50′34″N 2°26′09″E / 48.84278°N 2.43583°E / 48.84278; 2.43583
Chateau de Versailles Date Desc Versailles
48°48′16″N 2°07′23″E / 48.804404°N 2.123162°E / 48.804404; 2.123162
La Défense Date Desc 48°53′30.27″N 2°14′27.00″E / 48.8917417°N 2.2408333°E / 48.8917417; 2.2408333
Basilique Saint-Denis Date Desc Saint-Denis
48°56′08″N 2°21′35″E / 48.93556°N 2.35972°E / 48.93556; 2.35972

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]