PARIS : PLACES TO VISIT

Paris, ville lumiere ... city of light! You cannot fail to be enthralled by her beauty and charm which pervade the whole city, but there are certain places that you should make an effort to see. One of the very oldest places to visit is the great gothic cathedral of Notre Dame. Started in 1163 the magnificent architecture draws many thousands of visitors from all over the world who come here to gaze at its wonders and try to imagine the impression it made on medieval people. There is a vast amount of stained glass including the huge imposing Rose Window. If you should be fortunate enough to hear the cathedral's mighty organ, you will always remember the sound of nearly 8000 pipes resounding through the ancient building. There are two accessible towers where you can see medieval gargoyles;at the top of the south tower is the great bell, weighing 13 tons. From the top of either tower you can enjoy an unrivalled view over Paris and along the river Seine.

From the Cathedral towers you can clearly see the 1000 foot high Eiffel Tower in the distance. Though not ancient, this tower built in 1889 for the Great Exhibition has become the internationally recognized symbol of Paris. You can climb up the 700 steps or take the elevator to the first two levels but only the elevator goes to the third level, right at the top, for an impressive view over Paris. You can regain energy in the Jules Verne restaurant before you descend to look up again at the huge structure whose base covers two and a half acres. Both the cathedral and the Eiffel Tower are romantically illuminated by night making them sights to remember.

Every visitor should stroll alongside the lovely river Seine flowing through Paris and take time to admire the great bridges that join the two halves of the city; every bridge has its history. The Champs Elysees, thought by many to be the most beautiful avenue in the world is over a mile long, leading to the Arc de Triomphe, built by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories. This is the biggest triumphal arch in the world and it is said that to join the traffic driving around it [from where twelve great avenues radiate] is one of the most terrifying driving experiences possible.

The most visited museum in the world is the enormous Louvre. It began in the 12th century as a fortress, was then developed into a royal palace and following the French Revolution of 1789 it became a museum. It contains a vast collection, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo and one visit would not be enough to do justice to this Parisian marvel, housing so much beauty.

Paris is surely one of the loveliest cities in the world. It is magical just to walk around it, absorbing the sights of its ancient history but there are special places that the visitor to Paris should certainly put onto their itinerary, to be sure of not missing them.