Islamic Symbols And Icons
Sightseeing in Paris - Five Top Attractions
Famed for being perhaps the most romantic city in the world, Paris is a magical place, full of history and rich in art and culture. Paris has plenty of wonderful sights and things to do whether you visit for a day, a week or a month. Paris is easily accessible from the UK by air, EuroStar or you could take your car over on the ferry. Through the modern glass walls of Paris Charles de Gaulle airport you can get an almost 360-degree view of the planes coming and going! It is Europe’s second busiest passenger airport. Moving between the three absolutely gigantic airport terminals requires public transport due to its sheer scale and the airport puts on free shuttles to ferry passengers between them.
You can easily get into the city of Paris via high speed train, taxi, limo or private car hire; all of which are available at the airport. The huge international airport is a mere fourteen miles from the centre of Paris, Brussels is just one hour away, and Disneyland is only ten minutes transfer by train - making Paris a highly popular European weekend break destination. Getting around Paris is easy and there are many available options. You can travel on the Metro (underground network), trams or the buses. Also readily available are private car hire and taxi services.
Car hire is not for everyone when on holiday, but if you do decide to take this option, heed a few words of warning before getting swept away by the romance of Paris. Ensure you have read the agreement fully and are aware of any excesses for which you will be liable in the event of an accident. Most specialist insurance products such as gap insurance, car warranties and breakdown insurance should already be taken care of by the hire car company so you won’t need to worry about those things. Make yourself aware of the procedure following a breakdown, and make sure that the breakdown insurance provided gives you 24-hour protection. Additional insurance products may give you extra peace of mind, but are not obligatory and may cost you a lot more than you bargained for. Just make sure that you know what you are signing – which is sometimes not as easy as it sounds when in a foreign country.
Don't forget to be vigilant whilst visiting this bustling city - public transport especially can be very busy and you should take extra care when it comes to your personal belongings. Using basic common sense, like not taking all of your spending money out with you, will help you avoid any unpleasantness which could put a dampener on your trip. Be sure to leave all valuables and passports safely secured in your hotel room, along with your travel insurance details in case of emergencies. Once you have the basics covered, you are ready to begin exploring. There are too many wonderful things in Paris to list; below are a handful of things a visitor to Paris should try to see.
Eiffel Tower- The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognised monuments in the world. You cannot compare a photograph, though, to actually seeing it in person. You will be amazed at the sheer size and architecture. The view of a lifetime can be admired by taking the lift all the way to the top. On the first floor there are displays which depict the history of the tower. You can dine at the Altitude 95 restaurant on the first floor. A even more up-market dining experience can be had at the Michelin-starred Jules Verne restaurant upstairs on the second floor, but you will have to book way in advance. When in Paris you really must pay a visit to the Eiffel Tower and not just view it from afar.
Centre Pompidou- If you love modern art and architecture you have to visit the Centre Pompidou. It is so much more than a museum of modern art. It is a place dedicated to the display and exploration of modern art and contemporary conceptualisations. You can find exhibitions, displays and celebrations of all art forms including theatre, music, film and literature. The centre - which contains the modern art museum, the public library and the musical and acoustic research centre - was the brainchild of President George Pompidou. He envisioned a cultural centre focused entirely on contemporary creations. The building was designed by Renzo Piano, and is itself a marvel of architecture and distinctive design.
A new experience awaits each time you visit, as the exhibits here are always changing. You can purchase a book on just about any type of art form imaginable from one of the three bookshops. You can also buy souvenirs from the gift shop which is more of a design boutique full of fun and funky items. You can dine at the Georges, which is on level 6, while enjoying panoramic views of Paris. There is also a lot to see once you leave the museum. Just outsideof the building you will find street art and sculptures. Any visit to the Pompidou Centre will be a truly memorable experience.
Louvre Museum- The Louvre Museum is probably the world’s most famous art museum. This is where the "Mona Lisa" by da Vinci is kept. This museum is the oldest museum in Europe and was founded in 1793. The range of exhibits on display in the Louvre - from Egyptian artifacts to Islamic art - is as vast as the place itself.
If you had days you would likely not even scratch the surface of all there is to explore in this fascinating place. It is in fact inside the Louvre Palace, which was once the seat of the French monarchy. A staggering 35,000 pieces of artwork are housed in eight different thematic areas. The permanent collections are home to masterpieces by Rubens, Vermeer and da Vinci, among others. There are temporary themed exhibits too which focus on a particular artist or artistic movement.
Arc de Triomphe- A climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe will give you an excellent view of Paris. It stands at a height of just over fifty metres! Napoleon Bonaparte is the figure behind the construction of this monument from which a fantastic view can be beheld. It was commissioned by the man himself in 1806 to commemorate the greatness of Napoleon and his army. To Parisians, it is now a symbol of general triumph. Festivities are held, celebrations begun, and races are won here. Here, as wel,l you can pay your respects to the fallen soldiers of both world wars, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A word of warning though - to get to the top takes some energy and hard work. There are 280 steps that you will have to climb to reach the top, but it is well worth it for the view. This is one of Frances’s most recognisable symbols and the architecture alone is worth a visit here.
Musée d’Orsay- The Musée d’Orsay has one of the largest collections of sculptures, paintings, and art pieces produced between 1848 and 1914. You will find many early modern period artworks showcased at this museum. Inside you can view works by artists such as Degas, Monet, Van Gogh and Ingres. In the permanent collections here you will find everything from neoclassicism, impressionism and art nouveau. This is a must see for all people who enjoy exploring the beginnings of Modern Art.
The city of Paris is inviting and romantic. Paris has something for everyone; whether fine art, stunning architecture or a romantic and enticing atmosphere is what you seek, you will be sure to find it here. Many visitors to Paris will want to return to once again sample its beauty and ambiance. The city and surrounding areas can easily be explored via public transport or car hire options. Paris has so much to delight the visitor that you might not want to leave it behind!
This short city guide was brought to you by the UK’s leading gap insurance and car warranty specialists – the Click4Group.
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Our Sacred Signs: How Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Art Draw from the Same Source (Icon Editions) $3.54 The art of the three Abrahamic religions—Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—has a tangled, interwoven history. Symbols cross back and forth among the three faiths, adapted to reflect that faith’s specific spiritual needs. And much of this symbolic language predates any of the Abrahamic faiths entirely.In Our Sacred Signs, Ori Soltes traces the interconnectedness of religious symbols such... |
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