City Of Lovers

Paris incites the senses, asking to be seen, heard, touched, tasted and smelt. From romance along the Seine to landscapes on bus-sized canvases to the pick-an-ism types in cafes monologuing on the use of garlic or the finer points of Jerry Lewis, Paris is the essence of all things French.

In the great local tradition of the flâneur, or considerate boulevard-stroller, Paris is a wonderful city for aimless moving about. Relaxed quarters such as the vibrant Marais, elegant St-Germain and romantic Montmartre are ideal for street-browsing, shopping and café-sitting, and the city’s lack of open space is making up for by beautiful formal gardens, by the pathways and pavements that run beside the River Seine, and by endless hidden or unexpected havens. Wherever one goes historic landmark buildings and contemporary architectural wonders reminds one of the city’s pride and grandeur.

The lovers should bond with nature, and each other. Paris is filled with beautiful gardens, and all make an extraordinarily romantic setting. Luxembourg Gardens, in particular, is a great spot for couples, and is adjacent to the breathtaking Luxembourg Castle. French kissing is a must here. One must have seen the scene in almost every romance set in Paris - a couple embraces for a deep kiss on a bridge overlooking the Seine River. Take one’s honey to the nearest bridge, walk to the center and get smooching. Wine and dine - There are few things better to savor in Paris than a wonderful meal, accompanied by a delectable bottle of wine. One can go in anywhere in Paris to find this. Wander along the Champs Elysee until a sidewalk cafe captivates one’s attention.

Walk arm in arm. Venture to the Ile Saint Louis (near Notre Dame) for a great neighborhood for walking. The tiny island within the Seine has cute boutique shops, nice restaurants and nightclubs filled with locals. Try Berthillon which is a delicious ice cream that can only be found in this small neighborhood. Jazz it up. This is one of the best cities in the world to listen to jazz, whether it’s at a smoky hole-in-the-wall or a popular club. Hit any jazz club, snuggle, sip wine and listen to the sounds of Gay Paris.

Long famed as the city of lovers, it’s easy to see why Paris still holds interest to couples looking for a little romance. It can be walking hand in hand along the quails of the Seine, or sharing a Bertillon ice cream in the Ile St Louis or even kissing in front of the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre, lovers of all ages can absorb themselves in the same romantic Parisian atmosphere that has inspired centuries of novels, paintings, photographs and films.

It is known that the best things in life are free and one of the most romantic things about Paris is the ability to walk for hours finding one’s own special corner. Certain areas lend themselves beautifully to this form of exploration, from the winding streets of the medieval Marais to the overgrown cemetery of Pere Lachaise home to Oscar Wilde, Chopin and Jim Morrison. It is certainly a City for lovers.

Museum Lover's Delight - Palais Le Louvre

The Louvre is one of the largest palaces in the world and, as a former residence of the kings of France, also being one of the most illustrious one in Paris. It epitomizes traditional French architecture since the Renaissance, and it houses a magnificent collection of ancient and Western art.

The vast Palais Le Louvre was constructed around 1200 as a fortress and rebuilt in the mid 16th century for use as a royal palace. It became a public in 1793. The museum presents the main part of its treasures to visitors, in the new Richelieu wing, Islamic art collections, oriental antiques, French sculptures, objects d'art, French paintings & paintings from the Northern school including Rubens.

The Louvre palace in Paris dates back to 1190 and houses the Louvre museum. Its name has been taken from the Latin word Lupara (kennels). During eight centuries, it has been constantly enlarged and blown up by French kings and emperors alike. President François Mitterrand added the final touch to it with his “Le Grand Louvre” project. The project from1981 to 1997 includes an extension and the complete reformation of the museum. The famous Pei glass pyramid marks the new entrance to the museum.

The Louvre is both a splendid and huge royal palace along the Seine River and one of the best art museums in the world. It hosts the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci one of the most famous paintings in the world. From the pyramid entrance, one can also have the way in to one of the best and largest shopping centers in Paris, a really nice underground shopping experience. The relaxing Tuileries garden near by the Louvre museum is one of the most beautiful parks in Paris.

In the late 1980s the Louvre embarked upon an insistent program of renovation and development. When the first plans by the Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei were disclosed in 1984, they incorporated a glass pyramid in the central courtyard that would serve as the museum’s main entrance. Despite having protests before its construction, since its opening in 1989 the pyramid has proven remarkably effective in accommodating the large numbers of visitors. It has even become a relatively beloved landmark of the city. To mark its 200th anniversary, in November 1993, the museum unveiled the Richelieu wing in the quarters that had been vacated by the Ministry of Finance in 1989. This expansion, which completed the museums occupancy of the palace complex, added 230,000 square feet (21,390 sq meters) to the existing 325,000 square feet (30,225 sq meters) of exhibition space, and allowed it to put an additional 12,000 works of art on display in 165 new rooms.

The Museum is divided into four divisions - Sully, Denon, Richelieu and Hall Napoleon. Sully shapes the four sides of the Cent Carree at the eastern end of the building. Denon stretches along the Seine to the south. Richelieu is the northern wing along rue de Rivoli. The split level public area under the glass pyramid is known as the Hall Napoleon. It has an exhibit on the history of the Louvre, a bookshop, a restaurant, a cafe and auditoriums for concerts, lectures and films. The attraction of the Carrousel du Louvre shopping centre, which runs underground from the pyramid to the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, is an inverted glass pyramid, also by Pei. All in all a good blend well worth a full day of one’s time.