(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Paris – A, B, C Prepared and photographed by Patricia Barry © 2006

(c) Patricia Barry 2007(c) Patricia Barry 2007

Paris – A, B, CParis – A, B, C

Prepared and Prepared and photographed photographed bybyPatricia Barry Patricia Barry © 2006© 2006


An ABC guide to ParisAn ABC guide to Paris

This is all about Paris and Parisian things!This is all about Paris and Parisian things! The well-known and the little known.The well-known and the little known.

Click below to go to a particular page. Enjoy!Click below to go to a particular page. Enjoy!

AA BB CC DD EE FF GG HH II JJ KK LL MM

NN OO P Q R S T U V W X Y Z P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


A – Arc de TriompheA – Arc de Triomphe The Emperor Napoleon wanted a The Emperor Napoleon wanted a

special arch to celebrate the special arch to celebrate the victories of his “Grande Armée”.victories of his “Grande Armée”.

It took 30 years to build, so It took 30 years to build, so Napoleon never saw it.Napoleon never saw it.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located below it.is located below it.

The names of his officers are The names of his officers are carved into the roof arch. carved into the roof arch.

There are sculptures of his most There are sculptures of his most famous battles on the exterior.famous battles on the exterior.


B – BeaubourgB – Beaubourg

This is the name Parisians give to the This is the name Parisians give to the Pompidou CentrePompidou Centre

It is the Museum of Modern Art – and It is the Museum of Modern Art – and one of the biggest in the world.one of the biggest in the world.

It was built in 1977, and is named after It was built in 1977, and is named after the President who was a fan of modern the President who was a fan of modern art and who commissioned it – Georges art and who commissioned it – Georges Pompidou.Pompidou.

It is an “inside-out” building with all its It is an “inside-out” building with all its infrastructure on the outside in colour infrastructure on the outside in colour coded pipes. coded pipes.

Yellow = electricity, green = water, blue Yellow = electricity, green = water, blue = air conditioning and heating, and = air conditioning and heating, and brown = access ways for peoplebrown = access ways for people..


C – Place de la Concorde.C – Place de la Concorde.

This was where executions took This was where executions took place using the guillotine during the place using the guillotine during the Revolution. King Louis XVI and his Revolution. King Louis XVI and his Queen, Marie Antoinette lost their Queen, Marie Antoinette lost their heads here.heads here.

The obelisk is more than 3000 years The obelisk is more than 3000 years old and comes from the Temple of old and comes from the Temple of Amon, of Luxor in Egypt. It was a Amon, of Luxor in Egypt. It was a gift to France from the Egyptian gift to France from the Egyptian government in 1836. government in 1836.

The tip of the obelisk is covered in The tip of the obelisk is covered in gold and the story of how it was gold and the story of how it was conveyed to France is sculpted on conveyed to France is sculpted on its plinth in gold.its plinth in gold.


D – La DéfenseD – La Défense Named from the fierce Named from the fierce

defence put up by the defence put up by the Parisians here against the Parisians here against the Prussians during the Franco-Prussians during the Franco-Prussian war in 1870. Prussian war in 1870.

It is the modern CBD of Paris It is the modern CBD of Paris and opened in 1989 - covering and opened in 1989 - covering some 2 million m2, with some 2 million m2, with hundreds of thousands hundreds of thousands accessing the area each day.accessing the area each day.

(c) Patricia Barry 2007(c) Patricia Barry 2007La Défense

It’s a big multi-level station with It’s a big multi-level station with RER, metro and railway systems, a, RER, metro and railway systems, a, big shopping centre called “Quatre big shopping centre called “Quatre Temps”, a hypermarket and Temps”, a hypermarket and hundreds of shopshundreds of shops

•You can access the roof of its huge You can access the roof of its huge towers towers See the huge sculpture of the See the huge sculpture of the thumb! thumb! It’s the end of the royal triumphal It’s the end of the royal triumphal way.way.


E – La Tour Eiffel.E – La Tour Eiffel.

Eiffel designed this for the World Eiffel designed this for the World Expo of 1889 celebrating the Expo of 1889 celebrating the centenary of the Revolution.centenary of the Revolution.

Eiffel was also involved in Eiffel was also involved in designing the Statue of Libertydesigning the Statue of Liberty

The tower was the tallest building The tower was the tallest building in the world when it was first built. in the world when it was first built. The Parisians hated it and wanted The Parisians hated it and wanted it demolished.it demolished.

In huge wind gusts, the top can In huge wind gusts, the top can move up to 7 cm!move up to 7 cm!


F – F – Franco Prussian War Franco Prussian War 18701870

The Prussian Army advanced The Prussian Army advanced deep into France and laid siege deep into France and laid siege to Paris in 1870to Paris in 1870

The city was shelled and The city was shelled and starved – the only way in or out starved – the only way in or out was by hot air balloon.was by hot air balloon.

Micro film was invented to Micro film was invented to enable important documents to enable important documents to be ferried out in the hot air be ferried out in the hot air balloons. balloons.

It was the first time war had It was the first time war had been carried into the air.been carried into the air.


G – Gargoyles G – Gargoyles

Climb the bell tower of Notre Climb the bell tower of Notre Dame to see the gargoylesDame to see the gargoyles

It was originally thought that It was originally thought that they were built to scare away they were built to scare away demons.demons.

Their design ranges from Their design ranges from birds to beasts, but none of birds to beasts, but none of them exist in real life, them exist in real life, thankfully! thankfully!


H – Baron HaussmannH – Baron Haussmann Haussmann was responsible for the Haussmann was responsible for the

modern layout of Paris.modern layout of Paris. For 15 years from1853, he cleared For 15 years from1853, he cleared

the slums and designed and oversaw the slums and designed and oversaw the construction of some of the most the construction of some of the most beautiful boulevards, avenues and beautiful boulevards, avenues and streets in Paris.streets in Paris.

He designed the arrondissements – He designed the arrondissements – the numbered suburbs, that spiral the numbered suburbs, that spiral concentrically from the first (located in concentrically from the first (located in the area of the royal palace of Le the area of the royal palace of Le Louvre) to the 20Louvre) to the 20thth..


I – Les InvalidesI – Les Invalides

This is the military museum of France.This is the military museum of France. The tomb of Napoleon lays under the dome.The tomb of Napoleon lays under the dome. In the past, it was the military hospital for wounded In the past, it was the military hospital for wounded

veterans – hence its name.veterans – hence its name. The dome is covered in 12 kilos of gold!The dome is covered in 12 kilos of gold!


J – J – le Jardin du Luxembourgle Jardin du Luxembourg

Paris has many public Paris has many public gardens like le Jardin du gardens like le Jardin du Luxembourg.Luxembourg.

You are not allowed to walk You are not allowed to walk on the grass.on the grass.

Parisians love to walk, eat Parisians love to walk, eat their lunch and sail their toy their lunch and sail their toy boats on the ponds in these boats on the ponds in these parks.parks.

Le Jardin du Luxembourg Le Jardin du Luxembourg houses the French Senate.houses the French Senate.


K – le kilomètre zéroK – le kilomètre zéro

Notre Dame still marks the Notre Dame still marks the centre of Pariscentre of Paris

Outside in the square, is the Outside in the square, is the “Kilometre 0”, from which all “Kilometre 0”, from which all the distances in France are the distances in France are measured. This was put into measured. This was put into place by André Michelin, the place by André Michelin, the founder of the tyre company. founder of the tyre company.


L – le LouvreL – le Louvre

The biggest museum in The biggest museum in the worldthe world

Started life as the Royal Started life as the Royal palace for the Kings of palace for the Kings of France before Versailles France before Versailles was built was built

Enter through the famous Enter through the famous pyramid to see La Joconde pyramid to see La Joconde (the Mona Lisa), the Venus (the Mona Lisa), the Venus de Milo, Hammurabi’s de Milo, Hammurabi’s code and thousands of code and thousands of other treasures.other treasures.


M – le MétroM – le Métro

No place in Paris is No place in Paris is further than 400m from a further than 400m from a Métro station.Métro station.

Trains travel under Trains travel under ground and overground. ground and overground.

There are 16 Métro lines There are 16 Métro lines and nearly 300 stationsand nearly 300 stations

A billion journeys a year A billion journeys a year are undertaken by the are undertaken by the Métro. Métro.


N – Notre Dame de ParisN – Notre Dame de Paris

The centre of ParisThe centre of Paris 800 years old, took nearly 200 800 years old, took nearly 200

years to buildyears to build It became a Temple of Reason It became a Temple of Reason

during the French Revolution.during the French Revolution. The Cathedral fell into decay The Cathedral fell into decay

after the Revolution, and was after the Revolution, and was only rescued from demolition only rescued from demolition because of Hugo’s story “The because of Hugo’s story “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”.Hunchback of Notre Dame”.


O – Le Musée d’OrsayO – Le Musée d’Orsay

Originally a train station but Originally a train station but the platforms were too short, the platforms were too short, so fell into disuseso fell into disuse

The home to late 19The home to late 19thth century century art, the Impressionists and art, the Impressionists and sculpturesculpture

Here you can see works by Here you can see works by Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, Monet, Rodin and Toulouse Monet, Rodin and Toulouse Lautrec. Lautrec.


P – Les ponts de Paris.P – Les ponts de Paris.

There are 36 bridges that cross There are 36 bridges that cross the River Seine. Here are two of the River Seine. Here are two of them.them.

At the top, Pont Alexandre III At the top, Pont Alexandre III (named after the Tsar of Russia), (named after the Tsar of Russia), considered by many to be the considered by many to be the most beautiful bridge in Parismost beautiful bridge in Paris

Below, Pont Neuf (New Bridge) – Below, Pont Neuf (New Bridge) – in fact the oldest bridge and the in fact the oldest bridge and the first to be built of stone.first to be built of stone.


Q – Les quais de ParisQ – Les quais de Paris

On the riverside quays of Paris On the riverside quays of Paris are “Les Bouquinistes”are “Les Bouquinistes”

These are sellers of books; old, These are sellers of books; old, modern, new, second-hand, modern, new, second-hand, rare….. Lots of bargains!rare….. Lots of bargains!

They have been setting up shop They have been setting up shop here for 400 years ..mostly here for 400 years ..mostly because they don’t have enough because they don’t have enough money to open up a book shop!money to open up a book shop!


R – Rue de RivoliR – Rue de Rivoli

This is where you will find the Louvre This is where you will find the Louvre and it leads to the most “exclusive” and it leads to the most “exclusive” street in Paris, with its designer street in Paris, with its designer stores and the Ritz hotel.stores and the Ritz hotel.

In the centre is the Place Vendôme, In the centre is the Place Vendôme, with its column built by Napoleon. It with its column built by Napoleon. It is constructed from cannons is constructed from cannons captured from his enemies in captured from his enemies in victorious battles.victorious battles.

At the top is a statue of Napoleon.At the top is a statue of Napoleon.


S – Sacré Coeur S – Sacré Coeur

Started in 1870, completed in Started in 1870, completed in 1914.1914.

Situated on the top of Situated on the top of Montmartre – one of the only Montmartre – one of the only hills in Paris which was home to hills in Paris which was home to the artist community in the late the artist community in the late 1800s. 1800s.

Behind is the Place du Tertre, Behind is the Place du Tertre, where the artists still where the artists still congregate today – the most congregate today – the most pick pocketed place in Paris!pick pocketed place in Paris!


T – Toulouse-LautrecT – Toulouse-Lautrec His sketches and posters mean “Paris” for His sketches and posters mean “Paris” for

many peoplemany people Childhood accidents caused him to remain Childhood accidents caused him to remain

a dwarf. a dwarf. Rejected by mainstream society, he found Rejected by mainstream society, he found

comfort in the café concerts – like the comfort in the café concerts – like the Moulin Rouge.Moulin Rouge.

He had a new, fresh approach to graphic He had a new, fresh approach to graphic art which revolutionised poster drawing. art which revolutionised poster drawing. This is one of his most famous showing This is one of his most famous showing the dancer “La Golue” performing the the dancer “La Golue” performing the shocking “CanCan”.shocking “CanCan”.


eUro-DisneyeUro-Disney A favourite theme park for A favourite theme park for

Europeans, although it Europeans, although it was initially unpopular was initially unpopular with many French people with many French people because of its “American” because of its “American” culture.culture.

About one hour’s About one hour’s travelling time out of Paris.travelling time out of Paris.

It shares common rides It shares common rides and themes with Disney and themes with Disney parks in the USAparks in the USA


V - VersaillesV - Versailles

Built in the 1600s by Louis XIV, the Built in the 1600s by Louis XIV, the Sun King. His sun symbol may be Sun King. His sun symbol may be found everywhere in the Palace. found everywhere in the Palace.

The biggest palace in Europe.The biggest palace in Europe. Housed 30,000 people and was the Housed 30,000 people and was the

symbol of the King’s absolute power.symbol of the King’s absolute power. The Hall of Mirrors is the most famous The Hall of Mirrors is the most famous

room of the Palaceroom of the Palace Visit the little village and farm where Visit the little village and farm where

Queen Marie Antoinette used to play Queen Marie Antoinette used to play at being a farmer’s wife.at being a farmer’s wife.


W – Winter in ParisW – Winter in Paris

Skating rinks are put into Skating rinks are put into place – outside the Hotel place – outside the Hotel de Ville, and even on the de Ville, and even on the Eiffel Tower!Eiffel Tower!

In the Summer, sand and In the Summer, sand and palms are trucked into palms are trucked into central Paris to create a central Paris to create a “plage” or beach by the “plage” or beach by the River Seine!River Seine!


X – Xtra informationX – Xtra information Right Bank (Rive droite) and Left Bank (Rive Gauche) – defined by Right Bank (Rive droite) and Left Bank (Rive Gauche) – defined by

the flow of the Seine, from East to West. The Eiffel Tower and the the flow of the Seine, from East to West. The Eiffel Tower and the Latin Quarter are Rive Gauche. The Louvre and the Arc de Latin Quarter are Rive Gauche. The Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe are Rive Droite.Triomphe are Rive Droite.

The Musée de Cluny is built on top of a Roman Villa and you can The Musée de Cluny is built on top of a Roman Villa and you can visit the Roman bath-house! It is the medieval museum for France.visit the Roman bath-house! It is the medieval museum for France.

The Conciergerie was the Prison for those destined to be guillotined. The Conciergerie was the Prison for those destined to be guillotined. It housed King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette and their It housed King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette and their children. You can visit the cells.children. You can visit the cells.

The catacombs are the spooky tour, with millions of tastefully The catacombs are the spooky tour, with millions of tastefully arranged skeletons in a hundred kilometres of subterranean arranged skeletons in a hundred kilometres of subterranean passages – don’t get lost! Entry is near Metro Denfert Rochereau.passages – don’t get lost! Entry is near Metro Denfert Rochereau.

The sewers – made famous by Hugo in his book, Les Miserables – The sewers – made famous by Hugo in his book, Les Miserables – are a fine working example of 19are a fine working example of 19thth century infrastructure. Entry is century infrastructure. Entry is from a quai on the River Seine near Les Invalides.from a quai on the River Seine near Les Invalides.

Chatelet near the Hotel de Ville is the world’s largest Metro station Chatelet near the Hotel de Ville is the world’s largest Metro station covering twelve levels.covering twelve levels.


Y – did YOU know…?Y – did YOU know…?

The word in French for “garbage bin” is “la The word in French for “garbage bin” is “la poubelle”. This word comes from its inventor, poubelle”. This word comes from its inventor, a Monsieur Poubelle who was a Paris city a Monsieur Poubelle who was a Paris city councillor during the time of Haussmann’s councillor during the time of Haussmann’s clean up of the city.clean up of the city.

Haussmann had installed sewers, but what to Haussmann had installed sewers, but what to do with all the rubbish that people just threw do with all the rubbish that people just threw into the street?into the street?

Poubelle organised a metal bin for each Poubelle organised a metal bin for each household and started a weekly collection household and started a weekly collection system. The bin was called a “Poubelle” after system. The bin was called a “Poubelle” after him! him!


Z - ZooZ - Zoo

The Kings of France had a zoo which was The Kings of France had a zoo which was disbanded during the Revolution.disbanded during the Revolution.

After the Revolution, the Zoo was After the Revolution, the Zoo was restarted. The first giraffes in Europe restarted. The first giraffes in Europe were kept here, after walking all the way were kept here, after walking all the way from Marseille where they were from Marseille where they were disembarked from their African voyage.disembarked from their African voyage.

Sadly to say, all the animals were eaten Sadly to say, all the animals were eaten by the starving Parisians during the Siege by the starving Parisians during the Siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian war. The of Paris in the Franco-Prussian war. The picture shows the sale of the last meat at picture shows the sale of the last meat at this time.this time.

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(c) Patricia Barry 2007 Paris – A, B, C Prepared and photographed by Patricia Barry © 2006