France- Introduction
The French are well known for their patronage of the arts, specially the Capital city of Paris, as much as they are for their perfumes and sophisticated chic. And more than anything else, they are known for their love of grace and romance! The French Republic covers a total square area of 551,000 km and have a population that is 59 million. The people are mostly French, with a peppering of North Africans, Bretons, Provençals, Catalan, and Basques.
Major Tourist Attractions
Some of the major tourist attractions of France lie in Paris, the fashion capital of the world, the trendsetter and a city of unparalleled chic. Also known as the City of Lights, Paris is a patron of the arts and artists.
The Grand Louvre
The Grand Louvre in Paris is the former royal palace that was opened to the public as an art gallery when the French Revolution broke out. It hosts five million visitors annually, and over 30,000 works spanning three millennia are on display. More than anything else Vinci's Monalisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace are the major attractions.
Notre Dame Cathedral
This 12th-to-14th century cathedral is a study of gothic beauty and gargoyles. It has been remodelled, embellished, ransacked and restored so often that many wonder how it has managed to retain its beauty and architectural integrity.
Eiffel Tower
Gustave Alexandre Eiffel is the man who had designed the backbone of the Statue of Liberty, and the Eiffel Tower rises 1,056 feet above the banks of the Seine. It is truly an amazing sight to behold.
Musee d'Orsay
Musee d'Orsay is famous for its impressionist works by the likes of Ingres and Delacroix. This place was actually an old converted train station where Paris consolidated most of its collections of French art from 1848 to World War I in 1986.
Rodin Museum
Rodin Museum is the studio where the great sculptor Rodin worked from 1908 until his death. It houses some of the great works of Rodin including The Thinker, The Burghes of Calais, Balzac, The Gate of Hell, The Three Shades, Iris and more.
Centre Georges Pompidou
Centre Georges Pompidou is the best place to appreciate the trends of art and creativity in the last century. It has galleries of modern art, exhibits in music research, industrial design, history of film, and photography. Street performances are often held on the sloping square out front. The Cafeteria on the top floor offers a fantastic view.
Musée Picasso
This museum houses one of the best collections of Picasso's masterpieces with 203 of his paintings, 177 sculptures, and thousands of sketches and engravings. Some of the masterpieces here include Le Baiser, Pan Flute, Two Women Running Along the Beach, Nude in a Red Armchair, and The Crucifixion.
The Palace at Versailles
An excursion to the extravagant 17th-century palace at Versailles is one opportunity that anyone visiting Paris should not miss. The palace is of truly monumental proportions. Tourists are permitted to wander through the State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors and Royal Chapel.
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