PARIS - 1ST district / neighbourhood 'LOUVRE ' (75001)If you want a quick introduction to the 1st arrondissement of Paris check out the video above which is one of Jay Swanson's 20 in 20 days series - hope you enjoy it!
Much of Paris' 1st arrondissement is taken up by the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre Museum. It is also home to the Palais-Royal, Place Vendôme and the modern Forum des Halles shopping precinct. It is here you will also find France’s most famous state theatre, the 'Comédie-Française'.
The 1st district of Paris also takes in the western tip of the Île de la Cité, including the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie, so for such a small area it holds a great deal of history and interest. Because of its central location you will find hotels in this area a little more expensive but then you are in the centre of Paris. Some of Paris's finest restaurants can also be found here.
Main attractions in the 1st ArrondissementHere are some of the most popular things to visit in the 1st district of Paris
The Musee du Louvre (formerly the Louvre Palace) the world's most-visited museum and one of the historic landmarks of Paris is obviously a major tourist draw within the 1st arrondissement. Many visit to seek out the the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo but the museum is home to over 35K other works of art spread throughout its over 60K square metres of display space. You can spend days in here so plan it carefully if you want to explore it fully,oh and wear good shoes!
Tulleries Garden
Tuileries Garden in the 1st arrondissement of Paris is a beautiful, well-kept open parkland (it's actually 25 hectares) which connects the Louvre on its east side and the Place de la Concorde to the west. Perfect for a stroll in the sunshine as it offers shade and open sun and the chance to sit on one of the iconic green chairs by one of the ponds or green spaces.
The garden was originally created for Catherine de Medici, in the 16th century, to front her Tuileries Palace (which no longer exists today) a former royal residence which once connected the west wings of the of the Louvre in front of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. Sainte-Chapelle
The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris' 1st arr. was the royal chapel of the 'Palais de la Cité' the former residence of the Kings of France, up until the 14th century. There are many sights in Paris that may just take your breath away like catching your first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, walking along the mirrored hall in the Palace of Versailles or alighting the stairs at the Palais Garnier but as you climb the stairs to the 'higher chapel' of the Sainte-Chapelle the sight that awaits you is a glorious display of the moat fantastic example of stained glass windows.
La Conciergerie
Within the La Conciergerie, the first royal residence of the city of Paris, the introduction of a new virtual reality tablet has made what was in an interesting visit into a 'must see' for history buffs, located in the heart of the Ile de la Cité in the 1st arrondissement, it is probably most famous as being the prison where Queen Marie-Antoinette spent her last days before her public execution.
Musée de l’Orangerie
The Musée de l'Orangerie in the 1re (1ère) is home to the magnificent large-scale 'Water Lilies' by Claude Monet which is the main draw for visiting tourists but there is more to this museum than these masterpieces. It also hosts works by many of great 20th century artists within its permanent collection including Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, Renoir and many more.
The Bourse de Commerce — Pinault Collection
Historic monument restored and transformed into a museum, The Bourse de Commerce of Paris (the former corn exchange) has been transformed into a museum which is home to the 'Pinault Collection' dedicated to contemporary art.
Palais Royal
Conceived by Cardinal Richelieu,or at least by his architect Jacques Lemercier, in 1633, the Palais Royal and its gardens, a short walk from the Louvre, has in the past housed royal families before the Palace of Versailles was built for them.If you are looking for a tranquil spot in Paris away from the crowds then a walk through the arches of the galleries that border it, into the courtyard and gardens you will be pleasantly surprised at what awaits you
Westfield Forum des Halles
The Forum des Halles (shopping mall)won't be the first place you will head to in the first arrondissement of Paris but if you are in the area, perhaps visiting the impressive Saint-Eustache Church, you can pick up anything you may have forgotten to pack or simply check out the architectural feature of the impressive glass canopy suspended above it.
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Featured Hotel
Cheval Blanc Paris & Dior Spa Cheval Blanc 
Eating out in the 1st.
'Travelers to Paris who seek delicious French fare served in an informal atmosphere will enjoy coming to Juvenile’s to dine.'
From a review by Paris insights ► Address: 7, rue de Richelieu.1e |
