Paris: A Roman, Medieval and Modern City

Overview

Paris is the Capital of France located on the confluence of the Rivers Seine and Marne in the Isle-de-France Region of northern France. It is noted for its 12th century Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, wide Boulevards, the River Seine, cafe culture and world famous designer boutiques and haute cuisine chefs.

A Brief History of Paris

Paris was known as Lutecia to the Romans who included it in the Roman Province of Gallia Lugdunensis. In 300 BCE, Paris was originally an island city of a Gallic Tribe called the Parisii. Julius Caesar defeated the Parisii in 52 BCE and their city was sacked and rebuilt as Lutecia. In 250 CE, the Christian Bishop of Paris, St. Denis, was martyred on the hill of Montmartre (martyrs hill) and his remains were buried on the site of the Basilica of St. Denis. St. Denis is the Patron Saint of France and one of the Patron Saints of Paris. In 360 CE, Lutecia was renamed Parisius, after the original Parisii Tribe.

Paris was saved from Attila the Hun in 451 CE by St. Genevieve (c.419-c.512 CE) who convinced the population to stay at home and pray, rather then flee. She became the Patron Saint of Paris. Hugh Capet made Paris the capital of France in 987, when he was crowned King. The monarchs resided there until Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles. The Motto of Paris ‘Fluctuat nec mergitur‘ (tossed by the waves but not sunk) was first used by the Paris Water Merchants in 1358. Napoleon reinstituted Paris as the capital after 1804, with a programme of building great monuments and Haussman later transformed Paris by constructing the Grand Boulevards.

 

How does the Paris Postcode Arrondissement system work?

The Paris postcode arrondissement system was laid out in 1860, famously using a ‘snail shell’ escargot shape. Numbers spiral outwards from 1st in the centre, to the 20th on the outside. The boundary is marked by the Boulevard Peripherique urban ring road surrounding Paris. Each arrondissement is divided into 4 quartiers or neighbourhoods. The Postcode 75011 indicates Paris (75), arrondissement 11 (011). Each Arrondissement is named after its monument, the 8th is the ‘Elysee’.

 

SELF GUIDED WALKING TOURS OF PARIS (2-3 hrs each)

WALK No. 1: ‘Elysee’ (8th Arrondissement)

• Your geolocation will appear as a blue icon that moves on the map as you walk.
• You may start anywhere on the map and just follow the blue line to the next point of interest.

 

1. Arc de Triomphe

Description: (Metro: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile Lines 1, 2, 6, RER A) The Arc de Triomphe is located in the Place de Charles de Gaulle, previously known as Place de L’Etoile. This is the only roundabout in France where traffic already on the roundabout must give way to traffic entering on to it, even to bicycles. The Arc de Triomphe was completed in 1836 to commemorate all of the Battles of Napoleon Bonaparte. It is a scaled up copy of the Arch of Titus (83 CE) in Rome, by a ratio of 3 to 1. There is a viewing platform at the top, with panoramic views of the Champs Elysees and Paris.

2. Champs Elysees

Description: The Avenue of the Champs Elysees (Elysian Fields), is 1.2 miles (2 km) long and connects Place Charles de Gaulle with the Place de la Concorde. The Avenue hosts the headquarters of luxury brands and shops, car brands and many cafes and restaurants. It is renowned as being the most beautiful avenue in Paris, providing an uninterrupted view from the Louvre Palace, through the Arc de Triomphe du Carousel, Les Tuileries Gardens, the Obelisk, the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe and finally the Arche de la Defense. Its origin lies with Louis XIV’s Versailles’ architect, Andre Le Notre, who formed an avenue from the Louvre Palace to the current Champs-Elysees-Marcel-Dassault roundabout. The Gardens of the Champs Elysees were designed in 1859 and given four monumental fountains. After the Liberation of Paris, on 26th August 1944 Charles de Gaulle marched down the Champs Elysees behind four French tanks. Every year, the July 14th Military Parade and the Final leg of the Tour de France Cycling Event, take place down the Champs Elysees. Notable wins by the French Football Team in 1998 and 2018 led to over one million people celebrating in the champs Elysees.

3. Grand Palais

Description: Located on Avenue Winston-Churchill, the Grand Palais was designed by Charles Girault and completed in 1900 for the Paris Exhibition. It was built at the same time as the Petit Palais opposite and the Alexander III Bridge, connecting these buildings in a straight line with Les Invalides. It holds Europe’s largest glass roof at 13,500 square metres above the Nave. 8,500 tonnes of iron, steel and glass were used compared with 7,300 tonnes for the Eiffel Tower and 12,000 tonnes for the Gare D’Orsay Railway Terminus. The Grand Palais regularly hosts Trade Fairs and Exhibitions.

4. Alexander III Bridge

Description: The Pont Alexandre III is an iconic bridge over the river Seine in Paris which was built in the style of the Beaux-Arts with Art Deco street lamps, Cherubs, Nymphs and Winged Horses. The bridge is named after Tsar Alexander III of Russia after he signed the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892. It was completed in 1900 for the Paris Exhibition, at the same time as the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais connecting those buildings with Les Invalides in a straight line. It has featured in many TV films and movies such as Midnight in Paris (2011) and Emily in Paris (2020).

5. Petit Palais

Description: Located on the Avenue Winston-Churchill, the Petit Palais is now known as the Musee des Beaux Arts de La Ville de Paris. It was completed in 1900 for the Paris Exhibition, at the same time as the Grand Palais opposite, and the Alexander III Bridge which connects these buildings with Les Invalides. The Petit Palais holds a permanent collection of Art from Antiquity to the 19th century.

6. Paris Obelisk

Description: Located in the Place de la Concorde, the Paris Obelisk, is also known as the Luxor Obelisk or “L’Aguille de Cleopatre”. It is one of a pair of Obelisks commissioned by Ramesses the Great, that once stood in front of the entrance to the Temple of Amun in Luxor. It was erected in Paris on 25th October 1836 as a symbol of peace, next to where the Guillotine had once stood during the executions of the French Revolution (1789-99). The Obelisk is one of three Ancient Egyptian Obelisks, the others being Cleopatra's Needle in London and the.New York Obelisk in Central Park, New York.

7. Church of La Madeleine

Description: The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, also known as La Madeleine, is a Catholic Church modelled on a Roman Temple which was consecrated in 1842. It is located at the end of Rue Royale, opposite Place de La Concorde in Paris. Commissioned by Napoleon and designed by Pierre Alexandre Vignon in the Neo-Classical Style, it is based on La Maison Carre, a Roman Temple in Nimes.

 

 

WALK No. 2: ‘Louvre and Opera’ (1st and 9th arrondissements)

 

1. Tuileries Gardens

Description: (Metro: Concorde Lines 8, 12) The Tuileries Gardens are a public garden located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. Created by Catherine de’ Medici as an Italian garden for her new Tuileries Palace in 1564, it was opened to the public in 1667 and later became a French formal Garden. After the French Revolution of 1789 it became a public park. The name is derived from the old tile-making factories (tuileries) that used to be there.  On the 1st December 1783, the first manned balloon flight by the Montgolfier Brothers took off from the Tuileries Gardens at the entrance to Place de la Concorde. The Musee de l’Orangerie is located in the gardens, a museum with a 20th century European art collection holding 8 of Monet’s water lily murals.

2. Rue de Rivoli

Description: (The Rue de Rivoli is a 1.5 mile (3km) long arcaded commercial street, whose shops include leading fashionable brands. It runs through the heart of Paris from Place de la Concorde, along the north side of the Tuileries Gardens, the Louvre Palace, and Hotel de Ville to Le Marais. It bears the name of Napoleon’s early victory against the Austrian army, at the Battle of Rivoli, fought in 1797.

3. Vendome Column

Description: The Colonne Vendome is located in Place Vendome and was completed by Napoleon I in 1810. It is modelled on Trajan's Column in Rome. The Column was built to celebrate the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805 and is surrounded by a frieze depicting scenes from the battle. 180 captured canons were melted down to make the plates. The statue currently on top of the Column is the third statue of Napoleon I, the two previous statues having been destroyed. He is depicted wearing Roman apparel.

4. Opera Garnier

Description: Located in Place de l’Opera and designed by Charles Garnier, the Opera was opened in 1875. It became internationally famous when Gaston Leroux’s novel The Phantom of the Opera was published in 1910, and again with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Musical of the same name in 1986. Commissioned by Napoleon III, it used an iron framework and is built in a unique, eclectic style known as ‘Napoleon III style’. The interior is decorated with mosaics, medallions, statues, chandeliers, painted ceilings and wall canvases, a display of opulence for which it became known as the Palais Garnier. The auditorium has a seating capacity for 1,979 spectators and the stage is the largest in Europe with a capacity for 450 artists. A seven tonne bronze and crystal chandelier hangs over the auditorium. The Opera Garnier has inspired the building of similar Opera Houses all over the world.

5. Galeries Lafayette Department Store

Description: Located at 40 Boulevard Haussman, this is the flagship store of Galeries Lafayette, the upmarket department store chain which has 50 stores in France. It was built in the style of art nouveau, with art nouveau staircases and a 141 foot (43m) high glass dome (la coupole) built in 1912. The dome provides light to the four levels of open galleries beneath it. Take the lift to the 7th floor for a panoramic view from the rooftop. There is a free fashion show every Friday at 3pm, for which reservations must be made in advance, but the rooftop is free to visit any time during opening hours.

6. Palais Royal

Description: Entrance is at 8 Rue de Montpensier, opposite Place du Palais Royal. The Palais-Royal is free to visit, as are the Jardin du Palais-Royal and the Colonnes de Buren, a garden surrounded by arcades with shops and cafes. The Comedie-Francaise and the Theatre du Palais-Royal are also located on site.

7. Louvre Museum

Description: The Musee du Louvre is located in the Rue de Rivoli, and is the largest Art Museum in France and the most visited Museum in the World. On display are 35,000 works of art from a collection of over 600,000 objects covering all periods of history, including sculptures and statues from the Roman Period. Amongst its most famous works are the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo.

8. Arch of Triumph of the Carousel

Description: The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel stands in front of the Louvre Museum and was built by Napoleon to commemorate his victories. The Arch is a copy of the Arch of Septimius Severus (built in 203-5 CE). Positioned on top is a four horse Quadriga. Napoleon took the original from Venice in 1797 CE, which itself had once stood in the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Today, this is a copy and the original, known as the Horses of Saint Mark, are now on display inside San Marco Cathedral in Venice.

 

 

WALK No. 3: ‘Palais-Bourbon’ (7th arondissement)

 

1. Musee d’Orsay

Description: (Metro: Musee d’Orsay RER C) Located at the Esplanade Valéry-Giscard-d’Estaing, the Musee d’Orsay is an Art Museum hosting art collections of over 151,000 items of French and European art from between 1848 to 1914. It holds the largest Impressionist collection in the world with over 1,100 Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works including paintings by Renoir, Monet, Degas and Manet. The building was opened in 1900 as the Gare d’Orsay, Terminus of the Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris a Orleans, to convey visitors to the Paris Exhibition of 1900. It was converted into a museum in 1986. The RER line C serves the station underneath the museum called ‘Musee d’Orsay’.

2. Palais Bourbon – Assemblee Nationale

Description: Located at 126 Rue de l’Universite, the Neoclassical facade was designed to mirror the church of La Madeleine. The two buildings were designed to be symmetrically opposite and aligned with the Place de la Concorde and Pont de la Concorde. The original palace was built in 1722 for Louise Francoise de Bourbon, daughter of Louis XIV. After the French Revolution of 1789, the palace was nationalised and in 1815 became the meeting place of the National Assembly, the lower legislative chamber of the French Parliament. Visits are only permitted on Saturdays and must be booked in advance online.

3. Les Invalides

Description: L’Hotel des Invalides is a complex of buildings completed by Louis XIV in 1706, which consists of monuments and museums relating to French military history. It includes the Museum of the French Army, a Museum of Relief Maps with 150 models of castles in France, a hospital, an old soldiers retirement home and the cathedral of St. Louis des Invalides. The Dome des Invalides holds the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte, his brothers, Joseph and Jerome, Marshal Foch (WWI), Marshal Lyautey, Marshal Turenne, Vauban (Louis XIV’s Engineer) and Napoleon’s Generals Bertrand and Duroc.

4. River Tours Bateaux Parisiens

Description: Located in front of the Eiffel Tower at Port de la Bourdonnais, you can embark on a river cruise of the seine river and see the monuments of Paris from the boat.

5. River Seine

Description: The Seine river is a 483 mile (777km) long river in Northern France. The history of Paris is linked to the Seine. From its source 19 miles (30km) northwest of Dijon, it flows through Paris then through Rouen and into the English Channel at Le Havre. the Seine is navigable by large barges as far as Burgundy and by Ocean going vessels as far as Rouen, 75 miles (120km) from the sea. This section is known as the Seine Maritime. The Seine flooded Paris in 1296, and swept all the bridges away. Today, the average river depth through Paris is approximately 31 feet (9.5m) maintained by Locks which were built in the 1800’s.

6. Trocadero, Palais de Chaillot

Description: Located across the Seine opposite the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero consists of a raised plaza and garden complex offering the best photographic and panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower, from across the Pont d’Iena. The Aquarium of Paris is located within the gardens and is home to 13,000 species of fish and invertebrates. Behind the gardens is the Neoclassical Palais de Chaillot, built for the World Fair of 1937, which is home to the Musee de la Marine (Maritime Museum), holding a collection of model French sailing ships, and the Musee de l’Homme (Museum of Anthropology).

7. Eiffel Tower

Description: The Eiffel Tower, also known as ‘The Iron Lady’, is located on the Champ de Mars and was completed in 1889 for the Paris Exhibition. It was built in 2 years, 2 months and 5 days. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and reaches a height of 1,082 feet (330m) including antennas, which made it the tallest building in the world for 40 years. Gustave Eiffel’s design was chosen out of 107 contestants. The tower was constructed using iron and steel weighing 7,300 tonnes. From the opening, the three floors of the tower could be reached by elevators hauled by cables powered by pistons in an underground hydraulic system. The Eiffel Tower is lit up from dusk until 2 a.m. and every hour for 5 minutes, the tower sparkles with 20,000 lightbulbs whilst the searchlight on the summit rotates.

8. Statue of Liberty Paris

Description: Located on the Pont de Grenelle, near the Eiffel Tower, this is a one quarter scale of the New York Statue of Liberty. It was acquired by US citizens living in Paris and put in position in 1889. The statue is based on Libertas, the Roman Goddess of Liberty, wearing the Roman ladies robe, the Stola, a crown and sandals. She holds a tablet bearing two dates, one commemorating the US Declaration of Independence (4th July 1776) and the other commemorating the Storming of the Bastille which started the French Revolution (14th July 1789).

 

WALK No. 4: ‘Hotel de Ville’ (1st and 4th arrondissements)

 

1. Hotel de Ville

Description: (Metro: Hotel de Ville Lines 1, 11) Located on the Place de l’Hotel de Ville, the Hotel de Ville has been the city hall of Paris since 1357. It was rebuilt in the French Renaissance style of architecture between 1536-1628. The Provost of the Merchants were the first mayors of Paris. In 1789, the Hotel de Ville became the headquarters for the French Revolution and again in 1871, it was the headquarters for the Paris Commune. Before they were evicted by the French army, the Communards set fire to the building and burnt it to the ground. Reconstruction was completed in 1892. Inside, the Salle des Fetes is a republican replica of the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. Facing the Hotel de Ville is the Department store BHV (Le Marais), or Bazar de l’Hotel de Ville, which has a rooftop restaurant on the 6th floor with panoramic views of Paris.

2. Tour Saint Jacques

Description: Located in the Square de la Tour Saint Jacques, the tower is all that remains of the church of ‘St. James of the Meat Market’ after it was destroyed during the French Revolution of 1789. The church was built in the Flamboyant Gothic Style in 1523 by King Francis I to form part of the ‘Way of St. James’ Pilgrimage Route leading to Tours and Santiago de Compostela. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alexander dumas wrote a play in 1856 with this tower as its title.

3. Fontaine du Palmier

Description: Located in the Place du Chatelet, this is a victory column and water fountain commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 as part of a group of 15. The column commemorates Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign with the sculpted palm leaves at the summit. Five battles are represented in the bands around the column. A bronze statue of Victory holding the laurel wreaths of victory stands on the top. The four statues at the base represent Vigilance, Justice, Strength and Prudence. The monument is a copy, with the original preserved in the Musee Carnavalet.

Also, located on the Place du Chatelet are two identical Italian Renaissance-style theatres, both built in 1862: The Theatre du Chatelet is dedicated to music, operas and concerts with seating for around 2,500 spectators and Theatre de la Ville (Sarah-Bernhardt) presents theatrical and dance productions.

4. Tour de l’Horloge

Description: Mounted on the 154 foot (47m) tower of the Conciergerie in 1371, this is the oldest public clock in Paris. It is still working today after 655 years. Before this clock, only church bells tolled the passage of time. Commissioned by King Charles V, it features a blue background with gold fleurs-de-lis and a golden sun supported by two allegorical figures representing law and justice.

5. Conciergerie (10th–14th Century)

Description: During the Gallo-Roman period, the Isle de la Cite was surrounded by a wall and the Roman Governor lived in a fortress on the western end of the island. Julian the Apostate was declared Emperor here by his soldiers in 360 CE. Paris became the capital of France when Phillipe Augustus (1180-1223) brought the archives, treasury and lawcourts to the old palace. The position of Concierge was created to administer the law courts which still operate from here, and the palace later took its name from this title. Louis IX built the Sainte Chapelle inside the palace in 1248. But after 1364, the palace was abandoned by Charles V (1364-80) and the Conciergerie became the headquarters of the Parlement of Paris, a high court of the Nobility, and a prison from 1380 right up until 1934.

During the French Revolution, between 16th October 1793 until 7th May 1795, the Conciergerie was used by Robespierre and his Revolutionary Tribunal to try, convict and execute 2,780 people, beginning with Marie-Antoinette and ending with Robespierre himself. They were executed by guillotine, either in the Place de la Concorde or Place de la Nation. Today, the Conciergerie still functions as the Palais de la Justice, the centre of the French Judiciary system, with the Court of Cassation, France’s highest court, and the Court of Appeal. After WWII, in October 1945, Prime Minister Pierre Laval and Marshal Philippe Petain were both tried and convicted here for collaboration.

6. Sainte-Chapelle (1242–1248)

Description: Located at 10 boulevard du Palais, Sainte Chapelle is a royal chapel built in the High Gothic style located inside the medieval Palais de la Cite, where the Kings of France lived before moving to the Louvre Palace in the 14th century. The chapel was consecrated on 26 April 1248 and holds one of the most extensive stained glass collections in the world. It was inspired by the Palatine chapel at Aachen.

7. Le Parvis Notre-Dame

Description: This square is located in front of the cathedral and its official name is Le Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II. The square holds an equestrian statue of Charlemagne and his Guards, the Archeological Crypt and the Hotel-Dieu.

In front of Notre-Dame cathedral is Point Zero, a brass octagonal marker which is the starting point of all the roads in France.

8. Hotel Dieu

Description: Located on the north side of the square at 1 Place du Parvis is the Hotel Dieu, the oldest hospital in Paris. Visitors can no longer freely walk in to the main courtyard from the Place du Parvis. It was first created in 650 as a hotel to help sick pilgrims visiting Notre Dame, by Saint Landry, Bishop of Paris and run by Augustinian nuns right up until 1908. The original buildings were knocked down and completely rebuilt by Baron Haussman between 1867-1878. It is still a working hospital today.

9. Cathedral of Notre-Dame

Description: Located on the Isle de la Cite, its full name is Notre Dam9e de Paris and it is the most visited monument in Paris. Construction began in the French Gothic Style in 1163, the ceiling rib vaults of the Nave and the iconic Flying Buttresses were finished in 1220, with the three rose windows completing the cathedral in 1260. Louis IX (226-1270) deposited the relics of The Crown of Thorns and a sliver and Nail from the True Cross. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Paris and symbol of the city of Paris and of the French nation. The cathedral was falling into disrepair, until Victor Hugo published the novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame in 1831 to help save it. As a result, during the 1850’s, money was raised and the cathedral was restored by the famous French architect Viollet-le-Duc.

10. Archeological Crypt

Description: The Crypte Archeologique is located at le Parvis Notre Dame, Place Jean Paul II, which is in front of the cathedral of Notre Dame on the Isle de la Cite in Paris. The Crypte Archeologique is an underground museum housing an archeological site of buildings dating back to the Gallo-Roman period. Go to Crypte Archeologique for more information.

11. Le Petit Pont

Description: Le Petit Pont is on the exact site of the Roman Bridge which leads to the Rue St. Jacques. This was the old Roman Cardo Maximus which led south into the main Roman settlement near the south bank. Rue Soufflot opposite Le Pantheon runs along where the base of the wall of the Roman Forum used to be. The Roman Necropolis that once ran along the Rue St. Jacques and is now under the Hospital Cochin.

 

WALK No. 5: ‘Pantheon’ (5th arrondissement)

 

1. Cluny Roman Baths and Museum of Cluny

Description: (Metro: Cluny-La Sorbonne Line 10) The Entrance to the Baths is at 28 Rue du Sommerard, through the Museum of Cluny, a Museum of the French Middle Ages. The Thermes de Cluny are extensive Ruins of the Roman Baths that now form part of the Museum. The Frigidarium and the Gymnasium are incorporated inside the museum, the Caldarium and Tepidarium remain as Ruins outside, in the grounds of the museum. Housed inside the Frigidarium is the Pillar of the Boatmen, a 1st century CE monumental column built by the Paris guild of boatmen in honour of Jupiter. it was found under Notre Dame cathedral. It carries an inscription by the Nautae Parisiaci (Guild of Paris Boatmen) who dedicated the column to the Roman Emperor Augustus, the Roman God Jupiter and various Gallic Gods.

2. Jardins de Luxembourg

Description: The Luxembourg Gardens, also known as the Senate Gardens or ‘Le Luco’, were created for the Luxembourg Palace. They were built in 1612 by Marie de’ Medici, widow of Henry IV. The French Senate now meets in the palace and owns the gardens today. The Park contains the Medici Fountain and a long basin, with the Fountain of the Observatory at the far end. There is a large octagonal Grand Bassin has model sailboats, tree-lined promenades and lawns. The gardens hold hundreds of statues, monuments and fountains positioned all over the grounds. The gardens feature in Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. The Luxembourg Museum is located in a wing adjacent to the Palace Orangery and has regular Art Exhibitions.

3. The Pantheon

Description: The Pantheon is a Mausoleum built in the Neoclassical Style for French Citizens who were noted for their achievements. It was completed between 1758-1790 and is modelled on the Pantheon in Rome. The Pantheon is built on top of the Montagne Saint Genevieve, and was first conceived of as a Church dedicated to St. Genevieve to house her relics, by Louis XV of France. By the time it was completed in 1790, the French Revolution had taken power. Instead of a Church, the Marquis de Vilette suggested it become a Temple to Liberty, modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, with the ashes of the great men of France laid inside it. Consequently, the National Constituent Assembly voted in 1791 to change the Church into a Mausoleum. Notable French Citizens in the Mausoleum are Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Leon Gambetta, Jean Jaures, Jean Moulin, Jean Monnet, Marie Curie, Pierre Curie, Andre Malraux and Josephine Baker.

4. Rue Mouffetard

Description: Part of the Rive Gauche, the Latin Quarter is home to five universities and their libraries including the Sorbonne University. It is also includes the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens, the Pantheon and hundreds of cafes, bars, restaurants and bookshops tucked away in narrow alleys and atmospheric side streets. Puccini’s Tragic Opera, La Boheme, was set in the Latin Quarter during 1830. Place de la Contrescarpe is lined with cafes, bistros and restaurants and leads into Rue Mouffetard, renowned for its market stalls in the mornings.

5. Arenes de Lutece

Description: The Arenes de Lutece are the Remains of a 1st century CE Gallo-Roman Theatre, located at Rue Monge in Paris. Events at this venue are held on a regular basis, click on Les Arenes de Lutece – Roman Theatre for event information. Vestiges of the stage and nine niches are still visible, however, the seating is a reconstruction. The theatre could accommodate up to 15,000 spectators and was also used as an Amphitheatre for Gladiator contests. Seating in the Theatre was not semi-circular, unlike most Roman theatres, but closer to a circle in a similar design to Ancient Greek theatres. The central performance area was surrounded by an 8 feet (2.5m) high wall and parapet, which separated the audience from the actors or gladiators.

6. Jardin des Plantes, Natural History Museum and Zoo

Description: Located at 57 Rue Cuvier, this is a campus consisting of a Menagerie (Zoo), the Natural History Museum and various dedicated botanical gardens, with 5 metal framed greenhouses, galleries, scientific research buildings and the Verniquet Amphitheatre. The Gardens are accessible by 12 gates. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Gardens are free to enter while the Menagerie, Natural History Museum and Galleries have an entry fee. The Menagerie consists of smaller species of animals and birds that are endangered, the larger species having been moved to the Zoological Park of Vincennes. There are 4 Galleries, the Grand Gallerie de l’Evolution, Gallerie de Paleontology, Botanical Gallerie and Gallerie of Minerology and Geology. There is a Labyrinth, topped by Buffon’s Gazebo, several Wallace Fountains, various ponds of which the largest is the Fountain of the Lions. Other sights include many statues, rare trees and a bee hotel.

 

WALK No. 6: Le Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements)

 

1. Canal St. Martin

Description: (Metro: Bastille Line 5) The canal St. Martin is a 3 mile (4.5 km) canal that links the Marina of Paris at Bassin de Le Port de l’Arsenal with the canal de l’Ourcq at the Bassin de la Villette. They form part of the 80 mile (130 km) network of Parisian canals. The canal passes under the Place de la Bastille, Boulevard Richard-Lenoir and Boulevard Jules Ferry. The tunnels have ventilation holes that provide natural light for barges. There are five Bassins and five sets of locks. The impressionist painter Alfred Sisley made four paintings of the canal including the Canal de Saint Martin, which are now in the Musee d’Orsay.

2. Place de la Bastille

Description: The Place de la Bastille is where the Bastille Prison stood, until it was destroyed during the French Revolution of 1879. No remains of the fort exist today. The July column commemorates the events of the July Revolution of 1830, when the Bourbon Monarchy of King Charles X was overthrown and replaced by Louis Philippe I, from the House of Orleans. The Bastille Opera stands on the square. Because of its history, the square is often used as the site or departure point of political demonstrations. To the south, the Bassin de l’Arsenal is the former Moat of the Fort. The Canal Saint Martin passes underneath the square.

3. Place des Vosges

Description: Originally known as the Place Royale, the Place des Vosges was commenced by Henry IV of France and completed in 1612. It was the oldest planned square in Paris and one of the five royal squares along with Place Vendome, Place de la Concorde, Place Dauphine and Place des Victoires. It is a red brick square with attractive arcades filled with shops and restaurants, that surrounds a park featuring four fountains. Two Hotels are located in the square.

4. Carnavalet Museum

Description: Located at 23 Rue de Sevigne, near to Bastille Metro Station, the Musee Carnavalet is a Museum dedicated to the history of Paris. It was built in 1560 and became the museum of the history of Paris in 1880. The museum contains rooms furnished from different periods of Paris history, with a room dedicated to the Roman Period. There is a scale model of the Isle de la Cite as it stood in the 16th century and a stone model of the Bastille prison. The museum holds a large collection of paintings of life in Paris, its history and its notable citizens.

 

WALK Number 7: ‘Butte-Montmartre’ (18th arrondissement)

 

1. Montmartre Funicular

Description: (Metro: Anvers Line 2) The Montmartre funicular is an inclined elevator with two carriages holding 60 people each, that links the bottom of the Butte Montmartre to the basilica of Sacre Coeur at the summit. The automatic railway avoids climbing the 197 steps and is operated by RATP, the Paris transport authority.

2. Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre

3. Arenes de Montmartre

Description: The Arenes de Montmartre is a Theatre in the Roman Style, located at 25 Rue Chappe beside the Sacre-Coeur basilica of Montmartre in Paris. The Garden and Arena are closed to the public except during music concerts in August, known as Les Arenes Lyriques. The Arena was created in the style of a Greek and Roman Theatre in 1941 by the Montmartre Association of Les Petits Poulbots, on the site of a former orchard.

4. Place du Tertre

Description: The Place du Tertre is a lively square full of bars and cafes, which first opened in 1635 as Montmartre village square. From the 1790’s  until 1914, painters, songwriters and poets lived and worked here including, Pablo Picasso, Maurice Utrillo and Amedeo Modigliani. Nearby, is the former home and studio of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, now the Musee de Montmartre. L’Espace Salvador Dali, a museum of his sculptures and drawings is also nearby.

5. Place des Abbesses

Description: (Metro: Abbesses Line 12) Located at the end of Rue des Abbesses, this triangular square is noted for its Art Nouveau Metro Station topped by a glass canopy and panels known as a Guimard Aedicule, one of three remaining examples. Opposite is the church of Saint-Jean de Montmartre, built in 1904 using reinforced cement instead of bricks or stone. Rue des Abbesses is one of the most atmospheric streets in Paris, noted for its lively atmosphere made up of bars, cafes, restaurants and speciality food shops. Rue Lepic is a very steep winding road that leads from Place du Tertre down to the Moulin Rouge Cabaret in Place Blanche. The number 40 bus climbs up this very scenic route.

Also: See Paris from Metro Line 6

Step aboard Metro Line 6 to see panoramic views over Paris. Click See Paris from the Metro for more information.

Further Afield

1. Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Description: (Metro: Phillipe Auguste Line 2) Located at 28 Boulevard de Menilmontant, Pere Lachaise is the largest cemetery in Paris with more than 1 million burials and is the most visited cemetery in the world. The Cemetery was founded by Napoleon in 1804 on the basis that ‘Every citizen has the right to be buried regardless of race or religion.’ Notable people buried here are Frederic Chopin, Sarah Bernhardt, Edith Piaf, Colette, Olivia de Havilland, Marcel Marceau, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.

2. Columns of the Throne

Description: (Metro: Nation Lines 2, 6) The Columns are located either side of the Avenue du Trone, Place de Nation. The two stone columns reach an impressive height of 92 feet (28m) and were built in 1788 to mark the northeastern toll-gate in the Wall of the Farmers-General. In 1845 the statues of Saint Louis IX (north column) and Phillipe Auguste (south column) were added.

3. Chateau de Vincennes

Description: (Metro: Chateau de Vincennes Line 1) Located next to the Vincennes Forest, this medieval castle was completed in 1369 by Charles V as a result of the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) with England. It consisted of a moat, high curtain walls and towers surrounding a massive Keep. The Keep is one of the first known buildings to be constructed using Rebar. More than 1.6 miles (2.5 km) of iron bars were used to reinforce the structure. Louis XIV lived here until the Palace of Versailles was ready. In 1781, a mob of 1,000 men armed with pick axes were prevented from demolishing the Keep, as had already happened to The Bastille.

In 21 March 1804, the Duc D’Enghien, a member of the Royal House of Bourbon, was executed in the chateau moat on orders of Napoleon. A willow tree was planted to mark the spot and still stands there today. On 17 October 1917, the Dutch spy Mata Hari, was executed by firing squad in the moat. In 20th August 1944, during the Liberation of Paris, 26 Policemen and Resistance members were executed in the moat by the Waffen SS. The Keep was used as a prison for notable prisoners such as Henry IV (1574), Henry II Prince of Conde, Nicolas Fouquet, Minister of Finances (1661) and the Marquis de Sade (1777-1784). The last prisoner was the writer Mirabeau (also 1777-1784), who exposed the practice of keeping prisoners without trial, after which Vincennes ceased to be used as a prison.

 

Travel Information for Paris

• Metro Map

Travel Tips

• Best time to visit: Spring and autumn for mild weather and fewer tourists.
• Photography hotspots: Notre Dame cathedral, Seine River Cruises, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre Sacre Coeur, Alexander III Bridge
• Nearby Attractions: Palace of Versailles, Basilica of St. Denis
• Major Annual Events in Paris
• Public Holidays in France
• Travel Advice for France
• French Menu Translator

Visitor FAQ

• What is Paris famous for?
  • Paris is known for Notre Dame – its iconic 12th century medieval cathedral, the Sacre Coeur, the Arch of Triumph, the Louvre Museum, the Seine river and its bridges, the Eiffel Tower, the Impressionist Art museums, world class fashion houses, cafe culture, fine dining and the Palace of Versailles.
• What Novels, Plays, Movies and TV Shows are set in Paris?
  • Paris features in Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Puccini’s Tragic Opera, La Boheme, set in the Latin Quarter and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1986 musical, The Phantom of the Opera. Movies set in Paris include An American in Paris (1951), Charade (1963), Last Tango in Paris (1972), The Da Vinci Code (2006), Devil wears Prada (2006), Ratatouille (2007), Rush Hour 3 (2007), Mission Impossible – Fallout (2016), The Count of Monte Cristo (2024) and the TV Show Emily in Paris (2020).
• Can I see Roman Ruins in Paris?
  • Yes, the Cluny Roman Baths, in the Crypte Archeologique and there are many Roman artefacts in the Musee Carnavalet
• How far is Versailles Palace from Paris city centre?
  • Versailles Palace is approximately 50 minutes by car or train.
• Are there Guided Tours of Paris historical sites?
  • Yes, local guides offer walking tours highlighting the Cathedral, the Quartier Latin and other venues. Contact Paris walking Tours
• Is Lutecia the same as Paris?
  • Yes, Lutecia was built by the Romans in 52 BCE, after they had defeated the Parisii tribe on the Isle de la cite.
• Which Roman Province was Paris located in?
  • Gallia Lugdunensis
• What was the role of Lutecia (Paris) in the Roman Empire?
  • Lutecia was not the capital, like today, but a strategic city that controlled the crossing of the river Seine and trade with the English Channel.
• Which Roman Roads connected to Paris?
  • Chaussee Jules Cesar ran from Paris to Rouen, other roads connected to Lyon, Brittany and Boulogne.
• What were the Roman Roads in Paris?
  • The Roman Roads of Paris were Rue Saint-Jacques, which was the Cardo Maximus. It crossed the Seine via the island of Lutecia, on two Roman Bridges where the Petit Pont and the Pont Notre-Dame stand today.

Quick Facts

• Modern Location: Paris, France
• Category: Historic city centre, medieval cathedral, tourist destination
• Activities: Walking tours, Sightseeing, Photography
• Nearby Roman Site: Lillebonne, Rheims
• Nearest Roman road: Chaussee Jules Cesar
• Roman Province: Gallia Lugdunensis

Nearby Attractions