Kara found this great site.
It has all different locations with succinct details on each page
http://www.paris.fr/portail/english/Portal.lut?page_id=8275&document_type_id=5&document_id=34671&portlet_id=19140
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Catacombs
Most Parisians, I know, never visited the Catacombs (spelled Catacombes in French). I never did when I lived there. I finally visited them and I have to say it is truly unique. I recommend strongly touring the Catacombs.
This is one of the rare tourist attractions in Paris, where for just a few seconds you wonder if engineers have studied the place. They must..right...
A brief history:
The origin starts at the end of the XVIII century. After being used for 10 centuries the cemetery of the "Innocents" was starting to become a health hazard in this Paris neighborhood. After much complaining by the Parisians, the state decided to use old quarries (created when Paris needed raw materials) to store the bodies. After receiving the appropriate blessing, the "move" began on 7 April 1786 and continued at night until 1788. This "move" was orchestrated by surpliced priests carrying the tombs full of bones, covered with black veils, while singing the prayer for the dead (In French, l'office des morts). Then this process continued until 1814 with the bones of all other Parisian cemeteries. It is evaluated that 6 millions people rest in the catacombs.
France: Paris attractionPractical Information: map
Address: Catacombes de Paris
1, avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy
75014 Paris
Métro et RER B: Denfert-Rochereau
Hours:
Closed on Monday and Holidays.
Opened from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM (access available until 4:00PM)
Guided visits/tours (duration 1h30):
Tuesdays at 10:30AM and Saturdays at 3:00PM
For tall people watch your head or you will hit it on the ceiling (in some spots).
If you visit the Catacombs of Paris, please remember to respect the sanctity of it. The Catacombs will continue to exist for 100s of years if we all do.
When you get out of the subway at " Denfert-Rochereau" it is hard to find. Do not hesitate to ask (do not give up...).
This is one of the rare tourist attractions in Paris, where for just a few seconds you wonder if engineers have studied the place. They must..right...
A brief history:
The origin starts at the end of the XVIII century. After being used for 10 centuries the cemetery of the "Innocents" was starting to become a health hazard in this Paris neighborhood. After much complaining by the Parisians, the state decided to use old quarries (created when Paris needed raw materials) to store the bodies. After receiving the appropriate blessing, the "move" began on 7 April 1786 and continued at night until 1788. This "move" was orchestrated by surpliced priests carrying the tombs full of bones, covered with black veils, while singing the prayer for the dead (In French, l'office des morts). Then this process continued until 1814 with the bones of all other Parisian cemeteries. It is evaluated that 6 millions people rest in the catacombs.
France: Paris attractionPractical Information: map
Address: Catacombes de Paris
1, avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy
75014 Paris
Métro et RER B: Denfert-Rochereau
Hours:
Closed on Monday and Holidays.
Opened from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM (access available until 4:00PM)
Guided visits/tours (duration 1h30):
Tuesdays at 10:30AM and Saturdays at 3:00PM
For tall people watch your head or you will hit it on the ceiling (in some spots).
If you visit the Catacombs of Paris, please remember to respect the sanctity of it. The Catacombs will continue to exist for 100s of years if we all do.
When you get out of the subway at " Denfert-Rochereau" it is hard to find. Do not hesitate to ask (do not give up...).
Paris Museum Pass
http://www.parismuseumpass.com/en/home.php
ak_mama said...
ok. the way this pass works is once you put a date on it you have exactly 2 (or 4 or 6) days. which means you should only activate it first thing in the mornng to give yourself a full day. it looks like if you are gonna hit the louvre, versailles, arc de triumph, and notre dame, these alone would make the 2 day worth your while. BUT you've only got 2 days to see it all!! therein lies the catch. also, some of theses places don't charge anything unless you want to climb to the top of them which seems like it would be really cool, or if you want a tour. so if you didn't want to do that, some are totally free to begin with. sorry, i'm long winded. hope this helps someone!
ak_mama said...
ok. the way this pass works is once you put a date on it you have exactly 2 (or 4 or 6) days. which means you should only activate it first thing in the mornng to give yourself a full day. it looks like if you are gonna hit the louvre, versailles, arc de triumph, and notre dame, these alone would make the 2 day worth your while. BUT you've only got 2 days to see it all!! therein lies the catch. also, some of theses places don't charge anything unless you want to climb to the top of them which seems like it would be really cool, or if you want a tour. so if you didn't want to do that, some are totally free to begin with. sorry, i'm long winded. hope this helps someone!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Jen's Paris Itinerary - Subject to change OBO
Tuesday 16th travel to paris
Wednesday 17th Hotel (1pm?), Catacombs??? (10am-4pm) Rick Steves Historical self guided walking tour of Paris ending at Notre Dame (5:45pm Vespers)
Thursday 18th Giverny-Versialles Tour(9am-6:30pm)
(Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées and Eiffle tower at night)
Friday 19th Sacre Coeur (7am), Eiffle Tower (9am), Siene Cruise (12:30-2:45),
Saturday 20th Travel to Provance
July 1-5 Florance
July 6th ???
July 7-8 Cinque Terre
July 9th-17th ???
July 18-19 Venice
July 20th Fly out of Paris
Wednesday 17th Hotel (1pm?), Catacombs??? (10am-4pm) Rick Steves Historical self guided walking tour of Paris ending at Notre Dame (5:45pm Vespers)
Thursday 18th Giverny-Versialles Tour(9am-6:30pm)
(Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées and Eiffle tower at night)
Friday 19th Sacre Coeur (7am), Eiffle Tower (9am), Siene Cruise (12:30-2:45),
Saturday 20th Travel to Provance
July 1-5 Florance
July 6th ???
July 7-8 Cinque Terre
July 9th-17th ???
July 18-19 Venice
July 20th Fly out of Paris
Sacre Coeur
Coleen said...
Set on the highest point in Paris (420 feet), the Sacre-Coeur (sacred heart) Basilica has a panoramic view of the city. The Roman-Byzantine-looking structure took 44 years to build (1875-1919). For an unobstructed view, climb 260 feet up the spiral stairs to the top of the dome.
The church is open daily from 7am-11pm and is free. Climbing to the dome is 5E.
Take the Metro to the Anvers stop. If the 'funicular' is open, a metro ticket buys your way of so you can avoid the stairs.
Closer, but less scenic is the Abbesses stop. You still have to hike up to the church.
My friend Louise loves this place. It's in the Montmartre neighborhood that also includes such sights as Moulin Rouge (kind of a 'red light' area) and a flea market (Puces St. Ouen closed Tue-Fri).
Set on the highest point in Paris (420 feet), the Sacre-Coeur (sacred heart) Basilica has a panoramic view of the city. The Roman-Byzantine-looking structure took 44 years to build (1875-1919). For an unobstructed view, climb 260 feet up the spiral stairs to the top of the dome.
The church is open daily from 7am-11pm and is free. Climbing to the dome is 5E.
Take the Metro to the Anvers stop. If the 'funicular' is open, a metro ticket buys your way of so you can avoid the stairs.
Closer, but less scenic is the Abbesses stop. You still have to hike up to the church.
My friend Louise loves this place. It's in the Montmartre neighborhood that also includes such sights as Moulin Rouge (kind of a 'red light' area) and a flea market (Puces St. Ouen closed Tue-Fri).
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