France's best kept secrets in Paris

It's impossible not to experience a sense of joie de vivre when visiting Paris in autumn. Day 2 began with a metro ride to the Opera House, a short distance to Place Vendome, to see Hotel Ritz, where Princess Diana spent her last evening before her tragic car accident. A visit to the Bibliotheque National de France was also a must see. Founded by Charles V, the royal library at rue de Richelieu is truly a treat for a bibliophile. But the most captivating in this twinkling City of Light is a tour of Montmarte. The name Montmartre is said to be derived from either Mount of Martyrs or from Mount of Mars. The martyr Saint Denis, then Bishop of Paris, was decapitated on the hill around 250 AD, and became patron saint of France. Overlooking the city of Paris, Montmarte is most famous for the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, and the bohemian atmosphere surrounding Place du Tertre, the artist colony where the likes of penniless artists, Salvador Dalí, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, Henri Matisse, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Maurice Utrillo, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Vincent van Gogh thrived. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, built in Romano-Byzantine style in 1873 and completed in 1914, is perched on top of this hill. The interior of the church contains one of the world's largest mosaics, and depicts Christ with outstretched arms. The nearby bell tower has one of the world's heaviest bell at 19 tons. A 234-step up to the dome gives one of Paris' most spectacular panoramas. Beside the basilica is an old church, Saint Pierre de Montmartre, founded by Saint Denis in the 3rd cent. Nearby is an old cemetery, where renowned artists are buried. The heart of the city's only hill is a popular square called Place du Tertre, where many artists set up their easels day and night for willing tourists. Surrounded by restaurants, pubs and night clubs, the square pulsates with life until the wee hours of the morning.

Channel: Travel & Events
Uploaded: October 23, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Author: emeritamanansala

Length: 06:39
Rating: 3.83
Views: 4724

Tags: Basilica  Bibliotheque  Coeur  du  France  Garnier  Hotel  House  Montmarte  National  Opera  Paris  Place  Ritz  Sacre  Tertre  Vendome  

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