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1st Arr
Paris - 1st Arrondissement
The 1st arrondissement is home to the Louvre -- the world's largest, most exquisite art museum. How best to see the Louvre is your business, but we highly recommend not entering through the I.M. Pei pyramid entrance -- there are many other entrances that can shoot you to the Mona Lisa much faster; and although Mona is a must-do, seeing the Winged Victory of Samothrace atop the marble Daru staircase will change something in you -- and in an indescribable, yet good way -- the statue placed where it is the epitome of majestic. You can do enough of the Louvre in a day -- just remember to cross the street and stroll through the Jardin de Palais Royal after. You'll also want to take a coffee in the quintessential Parisian Park, the Jardin des Tuileries, and not not visit Place Vendome would be a crime (although, being the richest square in the world, you'll also have to commit a crime to purchase anything there). Other worth notings: Place des Victoires, Musée l'Orangerie, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, rue St. Honoré and La Conciergerie.
Destinations in the 1st Arr
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Jeu de Paume
Created to display photography and modern art, the Jeu de Paume is conveniently situated in the scenic Tuileries. The museum presents all sorts of images ranging from electronic media to the photography, affording new views on the ever-expanding world of modern art. There are always changing exhibitions, and I was lucky enough to see that of portraitist Richard Avedon’s (which ends September 27 2008). Minimalist photographs of people in a white background stripped the composition of any bias, leaving only the geography of the face for interpretation. The spirit of interpretation and art is always present in Jeu de Paume. -
Musée de Notre Dame de Paris
While the view from the towers of Notre Dame is breathtaking and the interior of the cathedral is exquisite, the history of the cathedral is also very rich. Visitors can come to this museum, which was founded in 1951 and seeks to give a better understanding of the sanctuary. Although small, this museum located on the northern side of Notre Dame has some interesting items on display on the excavation of the square and the history of the cathedral. Its collections include paintings by Reguenet, watercolors and engravings of the cathedral, and documents about precentors and organists. Once you’ve taken a tour of the museum, you can simply cross the street to ascend the towers of Notre Dame. -
Musée de l’Orangerie
Located in the corner of the Tuileries, the Orangerie museum houses modern art paintings by masters such as Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso, Matisse, and Utrillo. Arranged by Claude Monet, the museum is unique with its white, elliptical rooms in which elongated Monet water lilies paintings stretch the length of the walls. It is perhaps the only museum where you’ll find visitors huddled in the center of the room instead of by the walls, trying to meditate the tranquil and nearly spiritual area of the Les Nymphéas. -
Place Vendome
The seemingly octagonal-shaped square of Place Vendome is, perhaps, the richest spot on earth next to Dubai. Famous celebs such as Coco Chanel and Frederic Chopin resided here. And smack in the center of the square is the Place Vendôme Column, inspired by the Trajan's Column in Rome, built by Napoleon in commemoration of the battle of Austerlitz. The column is worth a look, as is the Hotel Ritz (where Princess Diana was last spotted -- head inside for a hot chocolate or a cocoa) and the other chichi stores on this square where mere mortals cannot afford to shop. -
St Eustache
What a joy it was to stumble upon St Eustache next to Place Cassin. Located just north of Forum Les Halles, this church was completed in 1637 and remains a shining example of Gothic architecture. Its high ceilings and stained glass are impressive. Its pipe organ contains more than 8000 pipes, which surpasses those of St Sulpice and Notre Dame in size. -
St Germain l’Auxerrois
A mixture of Renaissance and Gothic architecture, St Germain l’Auxerrois was built as the church for the Palais du Louvre. It houses lovely stained glass windows. In addition, it has only Romanesque bell tower that survived, but its Gothic transformation in the 19th century is what is seen now. -
Ste Chapelle
Situated in the heart of Ile de la Cité and within the walls of the Palais Justice, Ste Chapelle was consecrated in 1248 by Louis IX to house the relics of the Passion such as the Crown of Thorns and the Image of Edessa. Its walls are exquisite, composed mostly of stained glass windows that stretch towards the ceiling. Lit candles around the chapel with the colorful backdrop make for a wonderful example of Gothic architecture. -
The Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum
Located in the center of Paris, on the Right Bank, the Musée du Louvre is the most visited museum in Paris; and with over 650,000 square feet, hosting over 35,000 pieces of art and historical artifacts, the Louvre is the biggest museum in the world. The best entrance is not the I.M. Pei glass pyramid, where hoards of tourists stand for hours under the hot sun, pouring rain, and icy winds. Forget that. The Louvre has more entrances than just the Pyramid.
