The Tuileries Garden

The Tuileries Garden is the ideal place to relax and admire the great monuments of Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Musée de L’ Orangerie, and the Musée du Louvre. Located between the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre Museum, the garden also houses several statues of Maillol along with paintings by Rodin and Giacometti, providing Parisians and tourists with a chance to relax and learn more about French culture. A few miles from the Tuileries Garden, you will be greeted by the impressive architecture of the Musée D’Orsay. 

You will cross “Pont De Solferino” after walking for five minutes. It will be full of tourists and love padlocks engraved with the names of couples from all over the world. A beautiful fountain, pond, and carousel garden await you once you cross the bridge into the Tuileries Garden. During the summer, the garden holds a festival known as  Fête des Tuileries with more than 60 attractions ranging from horror rides, climbing walls, slides, and roller coasters. The festival features a variety of food, including churros, hamburgers, popcorn, crepes, and cotton candy.  It runs from July 3 to August 28, with no entrance fee. The price range of the rides will be from $5 to $15, depending on the ride. If you’re looking for a place to have a good view of the French monuments, gardens, and festival attractions, you may want to spend some time in the Tuileries Garden.

The Arc de Triomphe

As its name implies, the Arc de Triomphe honors the soldiers who fought and died during the Napoleonic wars and French Revolution. Designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1809 under Napoleon’s orders, the monument was inaugurated by King Louis-Phillipe in 1836 on the sixth anniversary of the Three Glorious. Beneath the arch lies the body of an unknown World War I French soldier who was added to the arch in 1921. To access the Arc de Triomphe monument, visitors pass through an underground passageway. There, historical photos from the monument’s construction time are displayed, along with a description of its legacy. There will be a line filled with excited tourists and Parisians as you approach the monument, which is why you should get there early to beat the crowd, as the waiting time varies from 30 to 45 minutes.  

Fortunately, you are able to avoid the long second line if you chose not to go to the top of the monument, despite the reasonable price of 13 euros. Standing beneath the arch, you will be able to witness the delightful monumental sculptures celebrating the military victories of the revolution that the French refer to as “ La Marseillaise”, which is positioned on the left pillar of the arch. As part of a commemoration ceremony for soldiers who died on the battlefield, veterans gather every evening at 6:30 p.m. to light a flame under the arc. The Arc de Triomphe is a must-visit place if you are looking for amazing sculptures, a unique viewpoint, and most importantly, symbolic gestures honoring deceased soldiers.

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower, situated in the seventh district of Paris, provides tourists with a unique view of the city. Upon arriving, you will be greeted by the sweet smell of French delicacies located under the iron monument. There, you will be able to acquire a variety of French pastries, such as salty and sweet crepes, hot dogs, and churros, which the French call “chichi”. While in line to enter the tower, you will also have the opportunity to peek at some French museums, giving you a sense of what to expect from other historical museums like the Musée de l’Homme. 

On the ground level,  you will also have a great view of the iron metal structure monument, created by Gustave Eiffel for the Paris World’s fair in 1889 to mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. By taking the stairs you will see a better view of the city, and you will also be able to skip the line and enter the tower faster. On the second floor, you will find a gift shop and the Jules Verne restaurant, but most importantly, you will have a spectacular view of French landmarks like the Seine, the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Grand Palais of the Champs-Élysées. Paris’ Eiffel Tower is definitely a must-see destination if you’re looking for a spectacular view.

Mémorial de la Shoah

The Memorial of Shoah is a Holocaust museum and archival center that perpetuates the memory of Jews imprisoned in French concentration camps during World War II. The Memorial Of Shoah in Drancy is an extension of the first memorial in Paris’ 4th arrondissement. As you reach the museum, you will be informed that there are two floors to explore. The first floor is the permanent exhibition that traces the history of Jews during the Holocaust. There, you will see original documents, pictures, and items that tell their story.

The exhibition is divided into two sections; the right section was devoted to the testimonies and destinies of individuals, while the left section focused on history. The Museum’s second floor featured other original documents and an optional virtual tour that outlined the history of the Holocaust through three-minute videos. The second floor has an amazing view of the Cité de la Muette, the former internment camp of Drancy, where a Holocaust train is currently on display.  For copyright reasons, you will not be permitted to take pictures of the original documents and items. The Memorial of Shoah is a perfect place if you are interested in learning more about the Holocaust historically and chronologically, as well as learning more about religious identity. 

Featured Images Courtesy of Kiliane Gateau