Château de Versailles

The only structure on the site he chose at Versailles when Louis XIV, the King of France, first planned to construct a new palace and relocate his court was a modest hunting lodge. The palace still stands today as a great example of the extravagant excesses of the French nobles that sparked the French Revolution. Versailles was designed to highlight Louis’ prominence beyond all else. After all, this is the man who referred to himself as The Sun King, as in, “I am the center of the universe.” He famously and oh-so-modestly declared, “L’état, c’est Moi” (I am the state).

Buttons and bedchambers

When you enter the palace at Versailles, you are met with room after room of marble, gold, and paintings. Ceilings painted to depict Louis with the Greek gods, busts of him looking at you from every angle, and gold gold gold ensures that you never forget just how wealthy the King of France was. In the grand bedchamber of the queen, where they also gave birth in front of the public, a ritual resembling this one was performed for the French queens who resided at Versailles.

Hall Of Mirrors

The most well-known room in the palace, the Hall of Mirrors, was constructed to take the place of a sizable terrace that opened onto the garden and was created by architect Louis Le Vau. Jules Hardouin-Mansart, who succeeded Le Vau, came up with a better plan that, starting in 1678 and ending in 1684, replaced the terrace with a sizable gallery.…

Place de la Concorde

The Place de la Concorde is Paris’s biggest public space. It’s a nice location for a picnic stop for tourists. The French celebrate their important holidays there. However, it also has a dark past; thousands of people were executed here! It was originally known as Place Louis XV when it was built in 1755. However, it was renamed Place de la Revolution during the French Revolution.

Fountains

The Luxor Obelisk is bordered north and south by two stunning fountains. Look closely, and you’ll see that both follow an aquatic motif, similar to the fountains of Rome. The fountain closest to the Seine symbolizes France’s marine heritage. The two biggest numbers represent the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The north fountain on the obelisk’s opposite side symbolizes the French rivers. Here, the Rhone and the Rhine rivers are represented by the two biggest figures.

The Big Wheel

The Place de la Concorde’s newest addition, the 65-meter Big Wheel, offers astonishing views of the City of Light. Since its initial installation in 2000, the attraction has been a yearly feature at the Avenue des Champs-Elysées Christmas village. The 42-pod structure spins gently to let visitors fully take in the stunning view below them. The wheel is exactly centered with the Arc de Triomphe at the opposite end of the Champs-Elysées.…

Beaches in Saint-Tropez

Salins Beach, Saint Tropez

Plage des Salins is a little wilderness area situated 7 kilometers from Saint-Tropez and north of the notorious Pampelonne beach.

Beach with shingle and shells This is not the immaculate, well-groomed beach that we would anticipate from St. Tropez, but rather a little, rough cove that offers the best of nature with a dash of luxury from the neighborhood’s (and only) beach club.

Canoubiers Beach, Saint Tropez

It is quite simple to get to this beach from St. Tropez town because it is close to Route des Salins and surrounds Plage des Graniers on the coastline. Due to its accessibility and the shade provided by the pine trees that border the back of the sand area, it is regarded as the locals’ favorite. There are restrooms, showers, and a lifeguard on duty in the summer.

Pampelonne Beach, Saint Tropez

The beach that most people think of while thinking of Saint Tropez is Pampelonne Beach. A-listers, renowned beach clubs, and luxury yachts anchored in the bay may all be found here. In a lovely sheltered cove, it is Saint Tropez’s busiest and longest beach. It has a length of more than 5 kilometers, white sand, and turquoise water. In truth, Ramatuelle, the nearest village, owns this beach, not Saint Tropez, which is around six kilometers away. …

Things To Do At Saint Tropez

Saint Tropez

The gruesome tale of Saint Torpes of Pisa serves as its opening. Torpes was a Roman soldier or bodyguard working for Emperor Nero who became an early Christian martyr. St. Tropez was raided and pillaged by pirates and privateers after the fall of the Roman Empire, just like many other Mediterranean coastal areas. This lasted for about a century until the neighbouring village of Garde Frient was founded. At that point, St. Tropez and the nearby villages turned into an Arabic-Muslim colony for over a century until it was once more invaded by William I, Count of Provence, in 976.

Sailing at Saint Tropez

Sailing is popular in St. Tropez, so charter a yacht to explore the coastline from the water or reserve a shared boat tour to explore the quaint villages encircling the bay. For those who prefer being more active, renting bicycles and exploring the gulf on the designated bike lanes or climbing into the Massif des Maures, a natural park with many hiking routes, are two options. Several horseback riding stables, theme parks, and waterparks are also available. Water sports are abundant on Pampelonne Beach, to conclude.

Dining at Saint Tropez

Saint-Tropez offers numerous dining options for all tastes and price ranges. Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Saint-Tropez and where to get your preferred type of food.…

A Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel

The Mont Saint-Michel receives about 2.5 million visitors a year, making it one of France’s most popular tourist destinations. Who could blame someone for wanting to visit this famous island, which has a history dating back more than a thousand years? For a large number of guests, careful planning is essential. Consider the following information to make your trip to Mont Saint-Michel smooth and memorable.

Overnight Stay in Mont-Saint-Michel

While it is easy to go to the Mont Saint-Michel in a single day from Paris, the trek is lengthy and taxing. Instead, make plans to stay at least one night. The Brittany and Normandy regions are worth exploring and are separated by the Mont Saint-Michel.

Walking and Climbing Stairs

A steep, winding and cobblestoned trail leads to Mont Saint-Michel’s top. Thus the ascent is quite difficult. Especially while climbing to the Abbey, there are a lot of stairs one must ascend. You should bring a quality pair of walking shoes.

Lunch At Mont-Saint-Michel

Omelettes and crepes are two of the most well-known foods served at the Mont Saint-Michel. Near the main entrance, as you approach through the King’s Gate, lies La Mère Poulard, an amazing location. Since 1888, La Mère Poulard, the most well-known restaurant on the island, has been serving up what are rumored to be the greatest omelettes worldwide.

And if you need help figuring out how to get there, check out https://www.booking.com/. …

Best Places To Visit In Paris

History of Paris

Paris was founded in the 3rd century B.C. by a community of Celts. They were a tribe of fishermen known as the Parisii who established a permanent settlement along the Seine River’s banks and benefited from the region’s abundant resources and moderate temperature. The islands in the Seine also appeared to be the ideal location for this small town to locate its capital.

During the First World War, Paris was spared the German invasion thanks to the victory at the Battle of the Marne, which included support from Parisian taxis. The old city wall of Theirs, which had served as a barrier for the city ever since the war of 1870, was dismantled in 1919 amid the happy spirit that preceded the return of peace.

In June 1940, the Wehrmacht invaded and took control of Paris during the Second World War. Despite the challenges of rationing, the detention of Jews, and the execution of hostages, the capital continued to pursue its dramatic and intellectual activity. At the Gare Montparnasse, Von Choltitz signed the German forces’ surrender on August 25, 1945.

Best Places in Paris

Eiffel Tower

On March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower was dedicated in Paris in a ceremony presided over by Gustave Eiffel, the tower’s designer, and attended by French Prime Minister Pierre Tirard, a handful of other dignitaries, and 200 construction workers.

The French government organized an international exposition and launched a design competition for a monument constructed on the Champ-de-Mars in the heart of Paris in 1889 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The Centennial Committee selected Gustave Eiffel’s proposal for the world’s highest manufactured building, an open-lattice wrought-iron tower that would rise over 1,000 feet above Paris out of more than 100 ideas submitted.

The 984-foot-tall Eiffel Tower is made of an iron framework supported by four masonry piers, from which four columns rise and combine to form a single vertical tower. There are three levels of platforms, each with a viewing deck. Elevators ascend the piers in a curved pattern, and Eiffel hired the American Otis Elevator Company to create the tower’s renowned glass-cage elevators.

And a quick side note, the guys over at Exponential Construction Corp. do great work! So check them out! They travel as well!

And on to Notre Dame!

Notre Dame Cathedral

The Roman Catholic cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris also referred to as Notre Dame, is situated on the Ile de la Cité’s eastern side. It is regarded as one of France and Europe’s best examples of French Gothic architecture. This cathedral, which started in 1163 and finished in 1345, is stunning, with numerous sculptures and gargoyles that embellish the roof.

We suggest you first take a tour of the cathedral before entering and ascending the 387 steps to the summit of the towers. Although the ascent to the towers’ summits can be strenuous, the reward is a panoramic view of the surrounding area and a close-up look at the famous gargoyles.

Louvre Museum

The Great Louvre, also known as the French Grand Louvre, is the official name for the Louvre, which is France’s national museum and art gallery. It is located in a vast Parisian castle constructed on the site of Philip Augustus’ fortress from the 12th century on the right bank. It is the most popular art museum in the world, and its collection includes works from prehistoric times up until the middle of the 19th century.

This medieval castle was demolished in 1546 by the famous art collector Francis I, who also started construction of the Louvre, another royal house nearly all French kings expanded after him. The current Louvre, designed by Pierre Lescot, was only partially constructed during the reign of Francis I. This original piece is now the Cour Carrée’s southwest corner.

Arc of Triumph

One of the most well-known structures in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe, located at Place de l’Etoile. It is located near the start of the Champs-Élysées, in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle (formerly Place de l’Étoile). The names of all French triumphs and generals are etched on the interior and exterior surfaces of the Arc de Triomphe, which honors those who fought and died for France throughout the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The First World War grave of the Unknown Soldier is located beneath its vault.

On Napoleon’s instructions, Jean Chalgrin created the monument in 1806; it was unveiled six years later, on the occasion of the Three Glorious anniversary, in 1836. It was the world’s largest triumphal arch before Pyongyang’s arch, built in 1982 at 50 meters high, 45 meters wide, and 22 meters deep. The Roman Arch of Titus served as design inspiration.

One of the nine hundred associations of former warriors who have reunited under the association La Flamme sur l’Arc de Triomphe rekindles a flame every evening at six thirty as part of a rite honoring the Great Dead. This daily kindling ritual was carried on without interruption during the Occupation.

Palace of Versailles

One of the most remarkable works of European architecture from the 17th century is the Palace of Versailles. King Louis XIV, King Louis XIII’s son, moved the royal court from Paris to Versailles in 1682 due to the royal family’s fondness for the estate, which had been built initially as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII. The hunting pavilion was restored into a regal complex with ornate decor, meticulously maintained grounds, and imposing fountains.

The palace is now one of France’s most revered and popular tourist destinations. An estimated 5 million people visit the Palace of Versailles each year, while 8 to 10 million people stroll through its grounds. The Hall of Mirrors, one of the most elaborately decorated chambers, has 357 mirrors, including 17 mirror-covered arches reflecting the 17 arcaded windows facing the gardens. The 250-acre Versailles Palace Gardens continue to flourish as a wonderfully landscaped area with 400 statues and 1,400 fountains.

The French royal family continued to adorn the palace and reign from Versailles for many years. The French Revolution was the catalyst for the royal court’s eventual forced relocation. The most significant of all peace treaties that ended World War I was also signed at that palace.