The places you must see in Paris

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Must see in Paris

Paris has thousands of years of history to offer ... If coming for the first time you will be amazed by the unique concentration of places to see in the historical city heart ... Listed on the present page the must see of the left bank in the following districts : Saint Germain des Pres, Latin quarter and Eiffel Tower... To learn more about the monuments to visit and the places to see in each arrondissement click here : Visit Paris

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See the very best of Paris : Please find here our unique pictures gallery of Paris - Photos of the city and reviews of the places of interest of the city of lights. Paris Photos

Great things to do & must see in Paris

Attractions : Must see on the left bank - Saint Germain & Latin quarter, Eiffel Tower

About districts in Paris : There are 20 districts - arrondissements that are arranged in the form of a clockwise spiral, starting with the 1st in the middle of the city on the right bank (north) of the Seine River. That is the reason why the numbers below don't follow each other. On the left bank can be found the following districts : 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th & 15th... Please click here to edit the Paris city map

5th district : Latin quarter - Pantheon & Mouffetard market

Le Pantheon : The architect Soufflot mixed Greek and Gothic architectures to build this church perched on a hill steps away from Luxembourg gardens. Work was completed in 1790 but revolutionary assembly decided to make this church a place to pay tribute to nation's greatest men.
Mouffetard street market : One of the oldest cobbled street of Paris and one of the most popular open air market. On the top the Place de la Contrescarpe is a nice place surrounded by cafés.
Arab World Institute : The Arab World Institute (IMA) is a foundation aiming at making known the Arab culture to general public. Open in 1987 the IMA museum is located on the bank of the Seine River steps away from Latin Quarter.
Jardin des Plantes : A large garden facing the Seine river hosting a small zoo, a rose trail, exotic trees, and many little gardens changing with seasons and of course the Natural History Museum where amazing dinosaur skeletons can be admired.
Latin quarter : It is a place known for its lively atmosphere and bistros but it is today more a "tourist only" place. Famous streets to see : Rue de la Huchette, rue de la Harpe, rue de la Parcheminerie, Place Saint Michel, Rue Galande and rue de la Bucherie.
Other places of interest : La Sorbonne - The world famous university is nestling in the Latin quarter, Saint Michel Boulevard, Paris Mosque, Arenes de Lutece...

6th district : Saint Germain des Pres

Cafe de Flore : The Cafe de Flore is the rival to Les Deux Magots - Historically, it has also been famed for its intellectual clientele : Arthur Koestler, Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, Lawrence Durrel...
Deux Magots : Les Deux Magots has been a witness to the changes in art literature, philosophy and politics - legendary figures of the art world were frequenting the café : Verlaine, Oscar Wilde, Appolinaire, Paul Eluard, Picasso, Hemingway, Jean Paul Sartre with Simone de Beauvoir, Malraux and many others
Rue Saint André des Arts : A tiny but very lively street lined with 18th century houses.
Saint Germain Church : The first church was built on this site in the 6th century ! It shelters tombs of the Merovingians and Saint Germain - bishop of Paris in. The current building dates from the 18th century. Entrance is free - Do not hesitate : You will then admire the painted pillars and wood panels.
Saint Sulpice Church : A very famous Parisian church on the Place Saint-Sulpice. It is the second largest in Paris (Just behind Notre Dame) with 113 meters long, 58 meters in width and 34 meters tall. But Saint-Sulpice is also one of the locations featured in Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code and the movie made from it; the background for Brown's use of this setting is explored below.
Luxembourg gardens : These gardens were created by Mary de Medici because she missed the italian gardens of her childhood. It is a nice place for a peaceful rest after a long walk in the tiny and boyant streets of the Saint Germain des Pres area. A free photo exhibition during summer.

7th district : Eiffel Tower & Orsay or Rodin museum

Eiffel Tower : With 2 million visitors the first year and almost 6 million people a year today, the Eiffel Tower is a real crowded monument in Paris. At the crossroads of the entire world, more than 200 million visitors have come since its construction. More about Eiffel Tower
Orsay Museum : From 1900 to 1939, the Gare d'Orsay was the head of the southwestern French railroad network. However, after 1939, the station had become too short for the modern, longer trains. The building was classified Historical Monument in 1978 and a civil commission was created to oversee the construction and organisation of the museum. More about Orsay museum
Rodin Museum : The Rodin Museum is located on the left bank a stone throw from the Invalides. It is one of the must see when visiting the city of lights. It features more than six thousand and six hundred sculptures by Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel. More about Rodin museum
Invalides : The building's original purpose was a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans. It was decided by Louis XIV in 1670 and completed in 1708. Les Invalides is also the burial site of Napoleon Bonaparte. Musée de l'Armée (Army museum) - Hôtel national des Invalides Adress : 129 rue de Grenelle & telephone : 01 44 42 38 77. Closed on Mondays.

Also see : Places to see in Paris (1st to 4th district) & Tourism in Paris : Champs Elysées, travel guide

Must see in Paris - Attractions on the left bank

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