5 Must See Monuments and Memorials in Paris

Paris, the capital and the largest city in France is home for nearly 3,500 historical monuments and four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here are some of monuments and memorials in Paris that you must not miss when visiting Paris.

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe with the French Flag (Best example for Neoclassical architecture)

Arc de Triomphe is a 164 feet high monument and one among Paris’s most famous monuments. This monument is one of the finest examples of Neoclassical architecture style. The commissioning of Arc de Triomphe began in 1806; however, the entire construction was completed only in 1836 as the construction was halted for various reasons. The masterminds behind this famous monument are Jean Chalgrin, Louis-Etienne Hericart de Thury. Arc de Triomphe holds a lot of sculptures, reliefs, details about some of the great battles, etc. With the help of a lift, visitors can reach the top of the monument and can get a panoramic view of the Paris city (one has to climb the last 46 steps).

Cleopatra’s Needle

Cleopatra's Needle or Luxor Obelisk

Cleopatra’s Needle is an ancient Egyptian obelisk and is re-erected in three cities, namely, London, Paris and New York. If you think this has any connection with Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, it is not so. They were already more than thousand years old when Queen Cleopatra was alive. Cleopatra’s Needle at Paris once served as the entrance to the Luxor Temple. Cleopatra’s Needle is also sometimes referred as “Luxor Obelisk.” It is 23 meters high and is made of red granite. The total weight of the obelisk is believed to be 250 tonnes.

Flame of Liberty

Flame of Liberty, above the tunnel of Pont de l'Alma where Princess Diana died in an accident

One can notice a torch with flame in the hands of Statue of Liberty, one of the wonders of the world at the New York City; Flame of Liberty is a gold leaf covered replica of the flame in the torch. This monument is 3.5 meters high and is located in the 8^th arrondissement. International Herald Tribune offered this to represent the celebration of 100 years (completed in 1987) of publishing an English language newspaper in Paris in 1989. This also served as a token of friendship when the restoration work in the Statue of Liberty took place. This is one of the major tourist attractions for Diana followers after she died in an accident in a tunnel beneath Pont de l’Alma.

July Column

Colonne de Juillet with the three glorious (Trois Glorieuses) dates of July

July Column (Colonne de Juillet) is yet another famous monument in Paris that commemorates “Trois Glorieuses” or the “Three Glorious” days in the month of July during the Revolution of 1830 when the “July Monarchy” of Louis-Philippe commenced with the fall of Charles X of France. this project actually started to commemorate the “Fall of the Bastille” in the year 1792; however, the project did not get past the foundation laying stage. It is 154 feet high and weighs 74,000 kilograms.

Pantheon, Paris

Pantheon de Paris, a church converted as a mausoleum

When said Paris, can anyone forget Pantheon? Yes, Pantheon (located in the 5^th arrondissement) is one of the must see mausoleum in Paris; this was initially built as a church that was dedicated to St. Genevieve and for her relics. This is yet another best example for Neoclassical architecture styles. The masterminds behind this famous mausoleum are architects Jacques-Germain Soufflot and Jean-Baptiste Rondelet.

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5 Eye-catching Churches in Paris

Paris is a city with rich cultural heritage and is home for some of the beautiful churches in the world. These eye-catching churches have a history of their own and are a part of the history of Paris.

Saint-Eustache

Location: 1^st arrondissement

Saint-Eustache, it has the largest pipe in France

The current church building was constructed between 1532 and 1632, which is one century. Saint-Eustache was a Roman general in the 2^nd century AD who was burned alive with his family members for converting to Christianity; the church got its name on his remembrance. This church is one of the wonderful examples of Gothic structure with Renaissance detail. There is a Keith Haring sculpture in the chapel of the church to remember the epidemic AIDS death happened in the year 1980. Saint-Eustache church has the largest pipe in France with nearly 8,000 pipes.

Notre Dame de Paris

Location: 4^th arrondissement

The back view of the famous Notre Dame de Paris with flying buttress and gargoyles

Notre Dame de Paris is also known by various names like Notre Dame Cathedral or Notre Dame, which means Our Lady of Paris. This is yet another beautiful example of French Gothic architecture; however, majority of the religious imagery was damaged or destroyed during French Revolution. When renovation took place the church was returned to the Gothic architecture. This church holds the cathedra or the official chair of the Archbishop of Paris. This church holds the record of first few buildings in the world that used flying buttress or arched exterior supports; it is a historic monument in France.

Sacré-Coeur

Location: 18^th arrondissement

Sacre-Coeur, situated at the highest point in the city called Montmartre

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Sacré-Coeur Basilica is popularly known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris and is one of the finest examples of Romano-Byzantine architecture style. The construction took nearly 3 decades to complete (1875 – 1914). This is a very popular landmark in Paris as it is situated in the highest point of the city called Montmartre. There is a garden and a fountain in this basilica. To get a panoramic view of the city, just go to the top of the dome. The main reason why this basilica looks white even after weathering and pollution is due to the fact that travertine stone is used in its construction; travertine oozes calcite and this helps the basilica to remain white constantly.

Saint-Séverin

Location: 5^th arrondissement

Saint-Severin, the oldest  church on the Left Bank of River Seine

Saint-Séverin is the oldest church on the Left Bank, which is the southern bank of River Seine; it is a Roman Catholic Church. The existing structure was built on Gothic architecture with lateral aisles during the 13^th century. This church too has flying buttress similar to Notre Dame de Paris and gargoyles on the exterior. The bells of the church are believed to be the oldest in Paris.

Sainte-Chapelle

Location: 4^th arrondissement

Sainte-Chapelle, famous for stained-glass collections. (This is the ceiling of the lower part)

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This is believed to be the only surviving building of “The Direct Capetian Dynasty” or “The House of France.” La Sainte-Chapelle is considered as one of the chief achievements of Gothic architecture during Rayonnant period. Majority of the church was damaged during French revolution; however, it was restored in 19^th century and holds the largest or the most extensive in-situ 13^th century stained-glass collections.

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