Moments with Paris monuments

Situated on the River Seine in the North of France, Paris is the capital and the country’s largest city. With a January 2007 population estimate of 11,836,970, the city plays host to an estimated twenty seven million visitors annually even though it is considered to be one of the most populated metropolitan cities in Europe. […]

Situated on the River Seine in the North of France, Paris is the capital and the country’s largest city. With a January 2007 population estimate of 11,836,970, the city plays host to an estimated twenty seven million visitors annually even though it is considered to be one of the most populated metropolitan cities in Europe.

Also ranked among the three most important and influential cities in the world, as well as being among the first three “European cities of the future,” Paris is living up to its image, providing a real treat in its many touristic menus. Besieged by countless sites, there are spectacular attractions that should be viewed by anyone who visits this home of fashion.

Disneyland Paris

A hot spot for children and adults alike, being in Disneyland is a dream come true for tourists as they come face to face with cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy, amongst many others only seen on screen in their homes. The characters have a daily parade on the streets of Disney shaking hands with children and adults.

Situated thirty two kilometers away from Paris in Marne-la-Vallée, it is made up of two theme parks, castles, retail shop, entertainment district, Disney-owned hotels, which have been in operation since 12 April 1992. Disneyland also boasts of a Walt Disney Studio Park which opened on March 16th, 2002.

At appointed times; the Disney characters have a parade and display of chosen presentations for public viewing which also includes participation from the audience.

A high point for many who visit is the motor show which includes displays by Herbie, the vocal Volkswagen from the 1963 television series as well as stunt shows. It is also home to cars and other facilities featured in movies.

To have a full view of the 4,800 acres of land, be ready to dedicate your entire day to Disney.

Eiffel Tower

La dame de fer, the iron lady better known as the Eiffel Tower has become the identity of France. The 1889 iron lattice tower designed by Engineer Gustave Eiffel after which it is named sits on the Champ de Mars. The tallest building in Paris, the tower is an intimidating 1, 063 feet tall. Unquestionably the most visited monument in Paris, visitors go through its height which measures that of an 81-storey building yearly.

This second tallest building in France, after the Millau Viaduct which is 1,125 feet, served as the entry point into the 6 May to 31 October World Fair of 1889.

Guests are treated to hearty meals on the first and second floors as others walk up the three hundred steps there or ascend it up to the third floor by lift.

Arc de Triomphe

Inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus, designed by Jean Chalgrin and commissioned by Napoleon in 1806, the Arc de Triomphe is the second largest triumphal arch in existence. Located in the heart of Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as the Place de l’Étoile, at the Champs-Élysées, it stands 50 m (160 ft) in height, 45 m (148 ft) wide and 22 m (72 ft) deep.

The Arc was erected in honour of soldiers who fought for France, especially in the Napoleonic Wars. The monument carries on its top the names of generals and the wars they fought and on the inside the names of generals only. Beneath it lays the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

It is positioned in a fashion that leads to other historic monuments – the Louvre Palace, to the Arc de la Défense.

Château de Versailles

A suburb of Paris, Versailles otherwise called Château de Versailles (Palace of Versailles) was the hub of politics in France from 1682 to 1789 when King Louis XIV moved from there to Paris leaving it for his household and the royal family forced to return there after the French Revolution started. It is described as the symbol of absolute monarchy of the old regime.

Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is home to about thirty five thousand works of art across centuries including some of Nigeria’s Nok terra cotta heads.

Originally built in the 12th century as a fortress built by Philip II, the Louvre Palace which houses the museum was a place to display only royal collections along with antique sculptural pieces. Opened on 10 August 1793 with an exhibition of 537 paintings, the Louvre is partitioned into eight sections: Sculpture, Paintings, Islamic Art, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, Decorative Arts, Near Eastern Antiquities, Prints and Drawings.

Place de la Bastille

The Place de la Bastille built in 1370 and 1383 during the reigns of Kings Charles V and Charles VI originally known as the Chastel Saint-Antoine and later Bastille Saint-Antoine. It was a fortress for the protection of the city against Anglo-Burgundian forces during the Hundred Years’ War and was later converted into a prison by Charles VI for political and religious prisoners.

The insurgences at the prison better identified as the Storming of the Bastille on July 14th, 1789 and its eventual physical destruction from then till 1790, led to the French Revolution which is commemorated annually on July 14, the French national day.

In the centre of what used to be the location of the Bastille Square is the Colonne de Juillet, a monument to those who died during the 1830 and 1848 revolts. It is a busy spot and very well lit up area at night with the many cafés, concert halls, the Bastille Opera House, bars and other social sites which continually draw attention to the square.

Till date, and maybe as a result of its history, the arena is still used as a place for political demonstration like the anti-CPE demonstration of February, March and April 2006 by the youths of France.