In the heart of the Saint Germain quarters in Paris, France sits an artistic hotel for those who dream of the bohemian Paris of writing and painting, the Hotel de Nesle (pronounced nell). With 20 rooms uniquely designed by the owner and her son, they feature frescos based on historical French events and themes. The hotel not only provides distinctively unconventional yet comfortable accommodations, it’s great location on a calm backstreet only one block from the Seine River puts you within walking distance from all the major attractions such as Notre Dame de Paris, the Louvre, the Palais Royal and much more. Feel free to enjoy a leisurely stroll past the art galleries and fancy shops found throughout the St. Germain area.
[Read more…] about Hotel de Nesle :: Paris, FranceParis
Disneyland Paris :: Paris, France
Also known by its original name of Euro Disney, Disneyland Paris is a wonderful vacation and recreation resort in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. Disneyland Paris is made up of two theme parks, a retail, dining and entertainment district and seven Disney-owned hotels. Opened in April 1992, it is the second complex opened outside the United States and the first to be owned and operated by Disney. Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios are the complex’s two theme parks and combined, the two parks bring in over 15 million visitors annually making Disneyland Paris and Disneyland Park (12+ million on its own) the most visited attractions in France and Europe.
[Read more…] about Disneyland Paris :: Paris, FranceOpera Garnier :: Paris, France
Opened in 1875, Opera Garnier is an amazing example of Neo-Baroque architecture at its finest. Designed by a then unknown French architect Charles Garnier, Opera Garnier has served throughout the years as one of the principal venues for Parisian Opera and Ballet. It is known by many names such as Opera de Paris, Palais Garnier, and Paris Opera, with its most official name being Académie Nationale de Musique. It is the thirteenth theater to house the Paris Opera since it was founded in 1669 by Louis XIV. The theater was built over a fifteen year span on the orders of Napoleon III as part of a reconstruction project. Construction was interrupted due to numerous incidents and issues including the extremely swampy land it was built on, the 1870 war and the fall of the Second French Empire. Some claim that the classic novel, The Phantom of the Opera, was inspired in part by a unfortunate incident in 1896 when a counter weight for the grand chandelier fell, killing one person. In 1994 work began to update and modernize the facilities while restoring and preserving the décor.
[Read more…] about Opera Garnier :: Paris, FranceThe Five Hotel :: Paris, France
The Five Hotel in Paris, France is a unique 24 room boutique hotel in heart of the city that mixes elements to appeal to your five senses. It is adorned with the art of Isabel Emmerique, who has been working with Chinese lacquer for 30 years and is world renowned as the only non-Asian artist to win the Kanazawa Triennale prize in Japan. It offers a wide array of services and amenities designed to pamper and entertain. With its wonderful location in Paris’ “Latin Quarter”, you are within walking distance from a variety of amazing places including the Pantheon & the Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens). The Five Hotel also is a 15-20 minute metro ride from the world famous Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Eiffel Tower.
[Read more…] about The Five Hotel :: Paris, FranceNotre Dame Cathedral :: Paris, France
Notre Dame Cathedral, officially named Notre Dame de Paris, in Paris, France is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in Europe. It was one of the first Gothic cathedrals and its complete construction spanned nearly 200 years until it was completed in 1345. With over 13 million visitors each year, Notre Dame de Paris is the most popular monument in France even beating out the Eiffel Tower. Although it was one of the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress, it was not originally designed to include it. As the walls grew in height during construction, they began to crack due to the stress. The cathedrals architects used the arched supports in response and continued the pattern as they built more. In the 1790’, the cathedral was a victim of the French Revolutionsand was desecrated with much of its religious imagery damaged or destroyed. Thankfully in the 19th century it was saved from complete destruction and restored by one of France’s most famous architects who was well known for his restoration work, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.
[Read more…] about Notre Dame Cathedral :: Paris, France