What historical sights should I see in Paris?

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Sybaris

I think not far from the Invalides is the Military Museum, which is well worth a visit. Napoleon was admitted here and, as far as I remember, there's a section devoted to him and his Marshals with a lot of personal exhibits. I was fascinated.

Unfortunately, Baron Haussmann cut up old Paris with his Boulevards, so you won't see it just as it was in the 18th-early 19th centuries, but there are still places connected to those times. The Place de la Concorde is where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed and, with a bit of imagination, you can filter out the modern and think how it might have looked! Try the Conciergerie also, where you can see Marie Antoinette's prison. The Temple doesn't exist any more, but the Carnavalet Museum in the Marais (a wonderful district well worth seeing for the hotels - homes of the aristocrats - and the Place des Vosges) has some really interesting exhibits from those times.

One place I loved is the Expiatory Chapel. Walk north-east from the Madeleine, then turn left into Boulevard Haussmann. You will find it there, on the left, in a small park, an oasis in the middle of Paris. The little cemetery there, opened in 1722, was used as burial ground first for the Swiss Guards killed at the Tuileries on 10 August 1792, and then for the victims of the guillotine which stood in the Place de la Concorde. These last numbered 1,343 and included Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Immediately on his return to Paris, Louis XVIII had the remains of his brother and sister-in-law disinterred and transported to the royal necropolis at St-Denis.

The cloister occupies the site of the old burial ground. Charlotte Corday, who stabbed Marat in his bath to avenge the Girondins, and Philippe-Egalite are buried on either side of the steps leading to the chapel. The Crypt altar marks the place where the King and Queen's bodies were found. (There are always fresh flowers there.)

There is also a book I read, well out of print now but still available, by a John Elliot, a railwayman, who was interested in the Revolution and went to Paris to retrace the steps of the major figures. I loved that book! It's called "The Way of the Tumbrils" and, with its help, I located the actual door through which Robespierre went to his lodgings, and the shop (in the Palais Royale) where Charlotte Corday bought the knife with which she stabbed Marat. http://www.worldcatlibraries.org/wcpa/top3mset/01caafcd55a8270f.html

There is also the Musee Grevin. When I visited years ago, it had tableaux from scenes of French history, and was an amazing experience with its waxworks and little shows all included in the price. Hope it's not become touristy now. (10, Boulevard Montmartre)

Macho20

Paris hmmmm let me see. The last time I visited I went to see the Eiffel tower, its beautiful and if possible get to atleast the second floor and then u can have a nice view from there. try visiting the Louvre as well, thats where the famous Monalisa is sitting, try seeing the other works of Leonardo Da vinci. Whilst u are there visit the Arc D' triomphe as well. And no visit to Paris is complete without a trip to the famous Disneyland, its fun there as well. If u have got anymore time left take the boat ride through the Seine river as well . Have a fun time there. iam sure that u will enjoy it there.

These are well post Napoleonic France, however they have to do with the Victorian France, the Impressionists, Art Nouveau and Art Deco: the Moulin Rouge, the Bar Absinthe, The Paris opera house, the Louvre (remember, it was a Palace before it was a museum!) the Musee d'Orsay, the Cafe Voltaire, the fair grounds from the 1924 l'Exposition: architecture and salons from the 20's! Have fun you big lucky!! :)

alan

The Eiffel tower , the Louvre if you have time Boat ride on the river Seine

~*RazzleDazzle*~

THE LOUVRE!! it is amazing, and of course the eiffel tower. And Versailles. It is an amazing castle but it is not directly in Paris. You wont believe your eyes when you go to versailles! Have fun! ohh and to that guy above, the leaning tower of pisa is in italy...idiot!

smm2424

The Trevi Fountain.
The Pyramids.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

krumenager

Never been to Paris but I would love to see the where the Public Safety Committee meetings took place, I think is called the Tudor Palace.

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