Sightseeing and events
Transcription
Sightseeing and events
PFY GB Guide 3 2006 28/05/06 Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau 25, rue des Pyramides — 75001 Paris 0 892 68 3000 (0.34€/min) www.parisinfo.com Publication Director Paul Roll Editorial Director Catherine Kesting Publication Manager Sandrine Petit Editor Céline Jean-Louis Editorial Hervé Basset Contributors to this guide: Dominique Canivez, Sabrina Coppi-Rouchès, Émilie Defoilhoux, Jean-Marc Grégoire, Caroline Hilaire, Véronique Potelet, Faly Razafin, Joyce Roux, Isabelle Vignaud, Marie Yahiel and Raphaël Bouveret (CRT Île-de-France) English Translation Julie Barnes, Deborah Lindsay, CRT Île-de-France Photos PCVB: C. Balet, F. Charaffi, D. Lefranc, A. Potignon, S. Querbes; Muséum d’histoire naturelle; Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace; Parfumerie Fragonard: M. Bertrand; Musée Baccarat: C. Weber; CRT Île-de-France; MDLF/Château de Monte-Cristo; Espace du Tourisme Disneyland Paris; Maison Fournaise; Mairie de Paris: A. Moreau, A. Clément, B. Ruggeri, C. Thiebault, C. Boyer, C. Pignol, D. Lefeuvre, E. Boucher, E. Lefeuvre, F. Perrot, G. Bruneel, H. Garat, J. Blachas, J.-M. Paz, Laurent, M. Verhille, M. Lemonnier, R. Mesnildrey, R. Casal, S. Krauss, S. Robichon, T. Sanson, W. Ripka; Les Étoiles du Rex Advertising: System Media Design: Euro RSCG C&O Production: Laurence Augereau Photogravure: Alternative Numérique Production follow-up: Euro Conseil Édition Printed by: Casterman Please note: The PCVB may in no way be held responsible for any possible errors or omissions in this guidebook. Some changes may occur during the year and the PCVB remains at your disposal for any additional information or clarifications. May 2006 12:42 Page 1 Welcome! Just how you imagined it… Paris has something for everyone in a multifaceted, magical and mythical capital: sometimes secret, always surprising. We have designed and written this guide to help you discover the many aspects of the city, to accompany you as you visit Paris, all of Paris, to suit your time here, your interests or simply your spur of the moment impulses. In the sightseeing and events section, in addition to the top sights, you will find a year-round calendar of major events. The twelve walks invite you to stroll in each neighbourhood, guided by their unique Parisian atmospheres. The directory section lists useful addresses and practical information so that you can enjoy the French capital to the full. We are delighted to share its riches with you. So, here is Paris, for you. Have a great stay! 28/05/06 12:42 Page 2 foreword PFY GB Guide 3 2006 b y B e r t ra n d D e l a n o ë , M a y o r o f Pa r i s Musée du Louvre Bienvenue Welcome Bienvenido Willkommen Benvenuto Paris is a majestic city, a city of culture, romance, gastronomy, design and fashion. It is also a city on the move, a city of daring. With the opening of new museums, world-class sporting events, festive and popular urban happenings like “Nuit Blanche” and “Paris-Plage”, Paris is a capital that never sleeps. Whether you are a newcomer or already familiar with the Paris scene, there is a vast choice awaiting you: over 1,800 classified monuments, 170 museums, 145 theatres and 380 cinemas. Some of the cultural sites of the capital are absolute “musts” and among the most visited monuments in the world. Several of them have Unesco world heritage status. www.louvre.fr Paris, however, is not just a historical city. Its riverbanks and neighbourhoods, some of which retain a village atmosphere, are an invitation to stroll and sightsee. By day or by night, from Belleville to the Marais, from the Butteaux-Cailles to Montmartre, soak up the special ambience of these quartiers to grasp the true “spirit” of the city and let yourself be carried away by its energy and vitality. This new edition of the Paris guidebook invites you to explore the capital as you please. Discover the history of France, check out the latest trends, enjoy the parks and gardens or go on a shopping spree… Just like the Parisians. And, take your time. Paris, the eternal, City of Lights, original, modern and creative is all yours. Whether you are already “in love” with our city or here for the first time, please make yourself at home. Welcome to Paris! PFY GB Guide 3 2006 28/05/06 12:42 sightseeing and events Page 4 Paris pages 7 to 23 Île-de-France Calendar of events, top 12 Parisian sights, and the River Seine walks pages 25 to 85 12 different atmospheres to discover Paris time after time, area by area, as the mood takes you River Seine directory pages 87 to 144 Some 200 useful addresses, a metro map, information, hints and advice – all you need to enjoy a smooth stay in Paris Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (districts) Scale 0 500 m Paris for you contents PFY GB Guide 3 2006 28/05/06 12:51 Page 6 at a glance and in a few at a glance and in a few pages... pages… sightseeing and events calendar of events A selection of major events from April 2006 to March 2007. q page 8 top 12 sights Check out the main sights and make new discoveries in each area. q page 14 the River Seine Journey across Paris along the river – the birthplace of the city. q page 18 PFY GB Guide 3 2006 8 28/05/06 2006 12:51 April Page 8 May June 0 exhibitions Le Douanier Rousseau Jungles qThis self-taught artist is considered to be a real precursor of 20th-century art ➜ 15 March to 19 June Galeries nationales du Grand Palais (8th) Reopening of the Musée de l’Orangerie ➜ From 2 May Musée de l’Orangerie (1st) La force de l’art/ Grand Palais 2006 A new look at contemporary art in France qFifteen personalities express their vision ➜ 9 May to 25 June Galeries nationales du Grand Palais (main nave) (8th) Inauguration of the Musée du Quai-Branly qArt and civilisations from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas ➜ From end June Musée du Quai-Branly (7th) festivities Francofffonies ! qFrench-speaking festival in France ➜ 16 March to 9 October Paris and throughout France www.francofffonies.fr Reopening of the Aquarium du Trocadéro ➜ April 2006 Trocadéro (16th) Foire du Trône qFunfair ➜ 1 April to 28 May Pelouse de Reuilly (12th) www.foiredutrone.com Paris Jazz Festival qThe best of Jazz ➜ 10 June to 30 July Parc Floral de Paris (12th) www.paris.fr Fête de la musique* ➜ 21 June Paris and throughout France www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pride Parade* qLively musical parade ➜ 24 June Through the streets of Paris www.inter-lgbt.org Paris Cinéma qScreenings, ramble, children’s festival, etc. ➜ 27 June to 11 July Paris Tel: 39 75 www.pariscinema.org trade shows Foire de Paris ➜ 28 April to 8 May Paris-Expo, Porte de Versailles (15th) www.foiredeparis.fr sport Paris Marathon q42.195 km race through the city ➜ 9 April www.parismarathon.com Final UEFA Champions League 2006 qFootball ➜ 17 May Stade de France (93) www.uefa.com French Open tennis championships ➜ 28 May to 11 June Stade Roland-Garros (16th) shows Katia and Marielle Labèque, piano qBasle chamber orchestra ➜ 25 April Cité de la Musique (19th) www.cite-musique.fr Maurice Béjart in Paris qBest of Maurice Béjart ➜ 26 to 29 April Palais des Sports (15th) qBéjart Ballet Lausanne (“Zarathoustra”) ➜ 3 to 6 May Palais des Sports (15th) qBallet de l’Opéra de Paris (“Le Mandarin merveilleux”, “Variations pour une porte et un soupir” and “Boléro”) ➜ 19 June to 14 July Opéra Bastille – Opéra national de Paris (12th) Hollywood en musique qConservatoire de Paris orchestra ➜ 23 May Théâtre du Châtelet (1st) www.chatelet-theatre.com Eric Clapton qRock icon ➜ 28 May Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy (12th) www.bercy.fr Rolling Stones qVeteran rock band ➜ 3 June Stade de France (93) www.stadefrance.com Robbie Williams qPop star ➜ 17 June Parc des Princes (16th) www.rolandgarros.com * Admission free The events listed here by the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau are subject to change without notice by the organizers. 10 28/05/06 2006 exhibitions Marilyn Monroe qPhotos taken by Bert Stern in 1962 ➜ 5 July to 30 October Musée Maillol – Fondation Dina-Vierny (7th) Cristobal Balenciaga qThe work of fashion designer Balenciaga ➜ 6 July to 28 January 2007 Musée de la Mode et du Textile (1st) Auguste Rodin – Eugène Carrière qComparison between Carrière’s paintings and Rodin’s sculpture ➜ 11 July to 1October Musée d’Orsay (7th) July 12:51 Page 10 August September 14 July – Bastille Day* qPopular dances on the evening of 13th. Military parade on the Champs-Élysées and firework display on 14th Tel: 39 75 Fête des jardins de Paris ➜ 23 and 24 September In Paris’s parks and gardens Tel: 39 75 www.paris.fr Mondial de l’automobile qMotor show ➜ 30 September to 15 October Paris-Expo, Porte de Versailles (15th) Paris-Plage (Paris Beach)* Theme: French Polynesia The Seine river banks transformed: sand, deckchairs, palm trees and special events, etc. ➜ 20 July to 20 August On the banks of the Seine Tel: 39 75 www.paris.fr Festival Paris, quartier d’été qArtistic events throughout Il était une fois Walt Disney ➜ 16 September 2006 to 16 January 2007 Galeries nationales du Grand Palais (8th) festivities the city ➜ 14 July to 15 August Tel: 01 44 94 98 00 www.quartierdete.com Cinéma au clair de lune* qEvening film screenings Paris treasure hunt ➜ 1 July Tel: 39 75 out and about in Paris ➜ August Tel: 01 44 76 63 00 www.paris.fr www.forumdesimages.fr Open-air cinema festival* Les Fêtes de nuit Les Noces de l’enfant-roi qA baroque and contemporary show ➜ 26 August, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 September Parc du Château de Versailles (78) qTheme: of creatures and men ➜ 4 July to 13 August Parc de la Villette (19th) www.villette.com Solidays qBenefit concerts for the fight against HIV/AIDS ➜ 7 to 9 July Hippodrome de Longchamp (16th) Tel: 0 892 68 36 22 (0.34€/min) October www.chateauversaillesspectacles.fr Techno parade* ➜ 16 September Through the streets of Paris www.paris.fr trade shows www.technopol.net European Days of Heritage ➜ 3rd weekend in September www.journeesdupatrimoine. culture.fr Hogarth ➜ 17 October to 8 January 2007 Musée du Louvre (1st) www.mondial-automobile.com sport Finish of the Tour de France* qCycle race ➜ 23 July Av. des Champs-Élysées (8th) www.letour.fr Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Lucien Barrière qHorse race ➜ 1 October Hippodrome de Longchamp (16th) www.france-galop.com shows Groupe F “Un peu de lumière...” qJazz, contemporary music and pyrotechnics ➜ 22 and 23 September Parc de la Villette (19th) www.villette.com Ben Hur “Beyond the legend” qProduction by Robert Hossein and Alain Decaux ➜ 22, 23, 29 and 30 September Stade de France (93) www.stadefrance.com events www.solidays.com exhibitions Rembrandt, etchings qThe art of engraving by Rembrandt ➜ October to January 2007 Petit Palais – Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris (8th) Johnny Hallyday qFrench rock star ➜ 29 September to 1 October Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy (12th) www.johnnyhallyday.com November December trade shows FIAC qContemporary art fair ➜ 26 to 30 October Grand Palais (8th) and cour carrée du Louvre (1st) www.fiacparis.com Créations et savoir-faire qCrafts and hobbies ➜ 23 to 27 November Paris-Expo, Porte de Versailles (15th) www.creations-savoir-faire.com Maurice Denis ➜ 31 October to 21 January 2007 Musée d’Orsay (7th) Orangerie 1934: les Peintres de la réalité ➜ 22 November to 5 March 2007 Musée de l’Orangerie (1st) festivities Paris Horse Show ➜ 2 to 10 December Paris-Expo, Porte de Versailles (15th) www.salon-cheval.com Paris International Boat Show ➜ 2 to 11 December Paris-Expo, Porte de Versailles (15th) www.salonnautiqueparis.com Nuit Blanche (Sleepless Night)* An artistic trail through the night in unusual and prestigious places in Paris ➜ 7October Tel: 39 75 www.paris.fr Mois de la Photo ➜ November Paris Tel: 01 44 78 75 00 www.mep-fr.org 2006 Patrick Bruel qFrench singer ➜ 17 to 19 October Zénith (19th) www.le-zenith.com Johnny Hallyday qFrench rock star ➜ 9 to 11 November Zénith (19th) ➜ 5 to 9 December Olympia (9th) ➜ 12 to 17 December La Cigale (18th) www.johnnyhallyday.com Aida Monumental Opera ➜ 21 and 22 November Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy (12th) www.bercy.fr Recital Dame Felicity Lott, soprano ➜ 12 December Théâtre du Châtelet (1st) www.chatelet-theatre.com sport NBA Europe Live (San Antonio Spurs/ Maccabi Tel Aviv) qBasketball ➜ 8 October Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy (12th) www.nba.com/france shows Mozart l’Égyptien qMusical show ➜ 11 to 14 October Zénith (19th) www.le-zenith.com The events listed here by the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau are subject to change without notice by the organizers. * Admission free 11 EVENTS PFY GB Guide 3 2006 PFY GB Guide 3 2006 12 28/05/06 2007 exhibitions Ivan Aïvazovsky (1817-1900) ➜ 1 January to 30 June 2007 Musée de la Marine (16th) Praxitele ➜ March to June 2007 Musée du Louvre (1st) The Forest of Fontainebleau – A life-sized studio qWork by major artists, from Corot to Picasso ➜ 6 March to 13 May 2007 Musée d’Orsay (7th) festivities Chinese New Year qThe Year of the Pig ➜ 18 February 2007 Paris 12:52 January Page 12 February March trade shows International Agricultural Show ➜ 24 February to 4 March 2007 Paris-Expo, Porte de Versailles (15th) www.salon-agriculture.com Salon du Livre qBook fair ➜ 16 to 21 March 2007 Paris-Expo, Porte de Versailles (15th) www.salondulivreparis.com sport 6 Nations tournament qRugby ➜ February and March 2007 Stade de France (93) www.stadefrance.com Paris, Capitale de la Création Each year, 17 trade shows dedicated to fashion and home prove that Paris is indeed the design capital. The “creativity trail” introduces artists, stylists, interior decorators and photographers representative of Parisian creation in all its forms. shows American Ballet Theatre ➜ 6 to 11 February 2007 Théâtre du Châtelet (1st) www.chatelet-theatre.com www.pariscapitaledela creation.com all year Concerts Concerts abound in Paris all year round. Free or bookable in advance, in the open air or in theatres and other venues: all kinds of music, for all tastes See directory pp.116 and 118 Père Lachaise (20th)* ➜ 29, 30 April and 1 May 2 and 3 December Tel: 01 43 71 33 72 Ateliers de Belleville (19th)* ➜ 12 to 15 May Tel: 01 46 36 44 09 www.ateliers-artistesbelleville.org Ateliers de Ménilmontant (20th)* ➜ 20 to 23 October Tel: 01 46 36 47 17 atmenil.free.fr Anvers aux Abbesses (18th and 9th)* ➜ 17 and 19 November Tel: 01 42 54 64 56 www.anvers-auxabbesses.com Tours * Admission free L A C A R T E Use your Paris à la carte Pass, valid for 2 or 3 consecutive days, and take the bus and the boat as you please. The 58 stops mean that you can plan your routes as you wish. And enjoy the exceptional views of the monuments of Paris and the Seine from the rear terraces of the boats and the top decks of the buses. A different way to see the city, when, for a few days each year, artists and artisans open up their studios to the public www.les-frigos.com The events listed here by the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau are subject to change without notice by the organizers. A Artists’ open days Ateliers des Frigos (13th)* ➜ 13 and 14 May ➜ January and September Paris-Expo, Porte de Versailles (15th) and Paris-Nord Villepinte (95) P A R I S Every week, cycling and rollerblading tours are organized in different areas of the capital See directory p.131 + PARIS A LA CARTE PLUS "Paris à la carte PLUS" offers you, in addition to the 2-day pass on boats and buses: 1 airport-city centre transfer with the Air France coaches, on one of the 3 scheduled routes. Air France coaches run 7 days a week. They are fast, comfortable, airconditioned and fitted with video and GPS systems to optimize your journey. Baggage handlers will take care of your baggage at the airport and at the 7 stops in Paris. Where to buy your ticket? • Escales Batobus in Paris Musée d’Orsay: Quai de Solférino • La Boutique de l’Open Tour 13, rue Auber 75009 Paris • Cityrama 4, place des Pyramides 75001 Paris Tour Eiffel: Port de la Bourdonnais Place du Tertre 75018 Paris St Germain des Prés: Quai Malaquais In France or abroad Notre-Dame: Quai de Montebello • At your travel agent Jardin des Plantes: Quai St Bernard Information Hôtel de Ville: Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville 13, rue Auber 75009 Paris FRANCE • Office du Tourisme et des Congrès de Paris Louvre: Quai du Louvre 25, rue des Pyramides 75001 Paris • Syndicat d’Initiative de Montmartre Champs-Elysées: Port des Champs-Elysées 33(0)1 42 66 56 56 14 28/05/06 eiffel tower Eiffel Tower This graceful metal structure towering above you is now 117 years old… Once the undisputed emblem of Paris, the Eiffel Tower now symbolises France across the world. It has already had over 220 million visitors! qThe three levels of the tower offer ideal vantage points for spotting places of interest below: the Champ-de-Mars, the École Militaire and the Hôtel des Invalides. A short stroll away, over the Iéna bridge, are the Trocadéro gardens and the Palais de Chaillot. See directory p.106 12:52 Page 14 champs-élysées Champs-Élysées From the Arc de Triomphe to place de la Concorde, extends the most beautiful avenue in the world, a mecca for business, luxury goods and nightlife. Below the “rond-point”, the avenue becomes a huge garden with theatres, museums and fine restaurants. qThe sheer length of the Champs-Elysées makes it a walk in itself… But if you can find the energy, then the Eiffel Tower is not too far away. louvre Louvre The museum’s collections rank amongst the finest in the world, with more and more visitors flocking to admire the Venus de Milo, the 4,500-year-old Seated Scribe as well as the Mona Lisa and Marriage at Cana by Veronese. The Louvre was the palace of the monarchs of France for almost eight centuries. qThe Louvre is ideally situated: a ten-minute walk will take you to the Madeleine or the Opera and Les Halles districts. And if you cross the Carrousel bridge, you’ll soon be on the way to the Musée d’Orsay or Saint-Germain-des-Prés… See directory p.101 montmartre Montmartre The balcony of Paris, and also one of the city’s historic centres, Montmartre is the perfect spot for a bird’s-eye view of the capital. This is the celebrated neighbourhood of the film Amélie, and beyond the Sacré-Cœur and place du Tertre, tucked away in the district’s tranquil backstreets, you’ll come across wine bars and little-known museums. qFrom the Butte (Hill), as the Parisians say, you can venture further afield on foot, by bus or even by little train – Pigalle, Saint-Georges and the Batignolles district are close by. latin quarter Latin Quarter This neighbourhood of students and universities, and also bookshops, fashion boutiques and world food restaurants, sprang up around the Sorbonne University, founded in 1257. qA stroll through the Latin Quarter will take you from medieval monuments to picturesque markets, and from Roman amphitheatres to magnificent churches… The islands of Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis are just minutes away. notre-dame Notre-Dame Before being the star of a novel by Victor Hugo and a musical that has toured the world, the cathedral had been an integral part of the history of the people of Paris since the 13th century. Built on the Île de la Cité, this place of worship is a wonderful architectural achievement… qA visit to Notre-Dame is incorporated in a walk that takes you from one island on the Seine to the other with a stop in the Jardin des Plantes and a trip through the Latin Quarter. See directory p.103 15 TOP SIGHTS PFY GB Guide 3 2006 16 28/05/06 opéra Palais Garnier – Opéra national de Paris The Palais Garnier, an opulent monument of bronze, marble, stone and gold leaf, is one of the most celebrated venues for dance. Hidden behind its Napoleon-III architecture is a sumptuous decor; and backstage, a fascinating flurry of expert activity! qA visit to the Opéra is also a chance to stroll along the adjacent Grands Boulevards and enjoy the brasserie terraces or hop across to the Madeleine… it’s straight on! See directory p.104 12:52 Page 16 musée d’orsay Musée d’Orsay Formerly a railway station for passengers travelling to south-west France. It is now a magnificent museum devoted to art from the 19th century to the early 20th century. This amazing edifice of metal and glass contains an important collection of works by the Impressionists, among others. qA visit to the museum may be combined with a relaxing stop in the Luxembourg gardens or at one of the lively cafés in Saint-Germaindes-Prés. See directory p.103 place des vosges Place des Vosges This lovely quadrangle of four symmetrical buildings, constructed in the early 17th century, enchanted and attracted firstly the nobility and then literary figures who came to live here. Today, it is the heart of the Marais district. qAround place des Vosges, you can admire some wonderful mansion houses. However, there is nothing to stop you heading in the direction of the Hôtel-de-Ville, Les Halles and the Montorgueil district… bastille centre pompidou Bastille Symbol of the French Revolution, the national holiday on 14th July commemorates the day on which the people of Paris stormed the Bastille prison here, in 1789. The maze of little streets behind the square containing the new Opera house is teeming with trendy places to go. Centre Pompidou This huge building is revolutionary in itself… It was commissioned by the former French president and houses the National Museum of Modern Art as well as an impressive library and numerous temporary exhibitions. qFrom the Bastille, qThe centre’s colourful you are in easy walking distance of République along the main boulevards. Père-Lachaise cemetery is not far off and, if you’re in a party mood, rue Oberkampf is the place to finish off the evening! bulk towers over Les Halles on one side, and the Marais on the other. See directory p.103 See directory p.94 parc de la villette 17 Parc de la Villette/ Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie The park is dotted with buildings – concert and theatre auditoriums, contemporary circus marquees... The Grande Halle at the entrance to the complex hosts jazz festivals and many other events. On the other side of the canal, the Cité des Sciences alternates permanent exhibitions and exciting attractions… TOP SIGHTS PFY GB Guide 3 2006 qLa Villette park is a world apart. In this both urban and natural setting, you’ll always find something entertaining or relaxing to do! See directory p.96 PFY GB Guide 3 2006 28/05/06 12:52 Page 18 over the water 18 Les amants du Pont-Neuf The River Seine All the places you will visit in Paris may be summed up in this long journey through time and history. The Seine is not just a river, it is the most beautiful pathway through Paris, and from it can be seen the most surprising and grandiose views of the French capital. q Viewed from the Seine, the contrast between the different districts is even more striking. Travelling upriver from the Eiffel Tower, you see the entire traditional and historic part of Paris pass by – the Palais de Tokyo, Grand and Petit Palais, Assemblée nationale, Tuileries, Louvre and Châtelet, Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis... Then, beyond the Charles-de-Gaulle bridge, everything changes, and modern Paris with its less familiar architecture appears: the Ministry of Finance, Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy with its grassy slopes, and the huge towers of the National Library. Here, the Seine comes into its own in the midst of this futuristic architecture. La passerelle des Arts Paris’s first iron bridge was designed to connect the Institut de France to the Louvre, which was then (the 1800s) known as the Palais des Arts. It was a footbridge and initially had nine arches. Today, this fine structure is often the setting for open-air exhibitions and remains a timeless and magical place. The oldest, most famous, most popular... and undoubtedly the most attractive of Paris’s bridges! It would be impossible to cite all the paintings for which it has served as a model and all the films it has been a backdrop for. And yet, this bridge which inspires lovers the world over has remained virtually unchanged since it was built. Its charm owes a lot to the small half-moon- shaped overhangs that enable romantic couples to admire the Seine – already a delight for passers-by in the 17th century! qParis’s 36 bridges – all beautifully illuminated – are soon to be joined by the 37th, baptised the “Simonede-Beauvoir” footbridge, to be inaugurated in July 2006 (see walk 9, p.70). es . ur Rout o T 4 . 1 PASS explore Paris . s to 50 stop languages . ! 8 please u o ree y s fa h our f u f t i O w p € o H p to 45 ers, when yo Hop on Save u ch et! nt vou enTour tick discou p se an O a h c r u p s. circuit 4 r u po r 1 PASS s. 50 arrêts pouerté! e lib 8 langu ris en toute t Pa u carne a r i e r c v â r u g s déco remise s offron ation Inform nTour pe ’O L is r 9 Paris Pa - 7500 Auber 6 56 56 e u r , 3 6 1 1 42 com Tél.: 0 entour. aris-op www.p s vou 45€ de ! ue nou q t n u re pass o de disc l’achat de vot lors de 28/05/06 12:52 Page 20 Board at any of 8 stops in central Paris as and when you please ! • Tour Eiffel • Musée d’Orsay • St-Germain-des-Prés • Notre-Dame • Jardin des Plantes • Hôtel de Ville • Louvre • Champs-Élysées by boat afloat There are many ways to travel on the Seine aboard the famous sightseeing riverboats. You can opt for the comfort of a cruise liner, choose a candlelit dinner, or go for the smaller boats with openair decks. The important thing is not to miss the spectacular view. An entire Arsenal... Batobus is a transport company that enables you to travel across the city on its shuttle-boat service (every 20 mins). Simply wait at any one of the eight stops, at strategic points along the river – Tour Eiffel, Musée d’Orsay, Saint-Germain-desPrés, Notre-Dame, Jardin des Plantes, Hôtel-de-Ville, Louvre and Champs-Élysées. You can take a boat trip from the Arsenal canal basin (Bastille) to the La Villette canal basin aboard the pataches – smaller than the conventional riverboats. On the Canal Saint-Martin, navigation takes on a different rhythm. You travel at the pace of the locks as passers-by wave to you from leafy tree-lined banks... For more information, see directory pp.114 and 131 The most handsome yachts are moored along the quays of the Arsenal marina, dug out of the moats of the former Bastille. This tiny port in the middle of the city never fails to amaze. Numerous freshwater sailors live here all year round, just a few minutes away from place de la Bastille. You can walk under the road bridge to rejoin the banks of the Seine, where you have a splendid view of the river, opposite the tip of the Île Saint-Louis, or, you can stroll the length of the marina through the adjacent leafy park. qParis is the secondbusiest river port in Europe, and the leading port for tourist transport in the world with over five million river passengers. qGoing with the flow River-boat shuttle service Open all year (except in January) Information : www.batobus.com in Paris also means the pleasure of a trip along the Bassin de la Villette, sliding steadily towards the first locks on the Canal Saint-Martin. on the beach Paris-Plage A delight for both Parisians and visitors, courtesy of the Mayor of Paris: every summer, around mid-July to mid-August, the Right Bank of the Seine takes on the appearance of a seaside resort. Over three kilometres of river banks are closed to traffic between quai des Tuileries and quai Henri-IV, only to be invaded by thousands of pedestrians. You can settle peacefully in a deckchair in the shade of a parasol, beneath the palm trees, or have a go at your favourite sport: golf, climbing or beach-volley… Others might choose to attend one of the many evening concerts. An eclectic range of free activities and entertainment which contributes to the resounding success of this summer initiative. In 2006, Paris-Plage adopts the colours of French Polynesia for an exotic change of scenery! 21 THE SEINE PFY GB Guide 3 2006 PFY GB Guide 3 2006 22 28/05/06 on foot, by bike 12:53 Page 22 on the quayside fresh air tours hotels events Sunny shores Paris breathes As part of the “Paris respire!” operation, set up by the Paris City Council, the Seine expressways are closed to traffic on Sundays and public holidays, all year round or from mid-March to end December, depending on the areas. In just a few hours, bands of cheerful cyclists, nonchalant strollers and carefree skaters take over the river banks... Motor vehicles only have to stop for a moment for Parisians to repossess their city. Experience this new way of admiring the heart of the capital down by the Seine. Hire a pair of rollerblades, a bicycle, or take a long walk. Gaze at the panoramic view of stone facades steeped in history, as you make your way along the quays. Stroll carefree, under bridges and footbridges. Idly, watch the boats go by. And let yourself be transported by the tranquillity and beauty of it all: Paris for you! Quai Saint-Bernard is undoubtedly a favourite place for sun-seekers. A stone’s throw from the Jardin des Plantes, you can picnic, or just spend hours reading amongst sculpture by César and Zadkine on the lawns of the Tino Rossi garden. People used to bathe in the river off this quay. Today, it’s a beach and an open-air museum! You can also take fencing and archery classes here and follow the fitness circuits set up by the City Council, as on Sundays the river banks are reserved exclusively for pedestrians. Square du Vert-Galant Its name indicates an ideal spot for romance. This charming public garden below the Pont-Neuf is shaped like the bows of a boat and forms the tip of the Île de la Cité, offering a magnificent view of the Louvre. You can also take a boat trip along the Seine from here. qThe banks of the Seine, between the Austerlitz and Alexandre-III bridges, have World Heritage status. balades Riverside book merchants Did you know that Paris is the only city to have open-air bookstalls? The bouquinistes (secondhand booksellers), some of the last remaining street traders, date back to the same time as the Pont-Neuf. Some two hundred and fifty of their green boxes still brighten up the Tournelle, Hôtel de Ville and Mégisserie quaysides. As soon as the fine weather arrives they readily open up to reveal their secrets – antique books, engravings, collections of discontinued newspapers and illustrated broadsheets from another age... www.parisinfo.com hôtels sorties Fish in the Seine! Has the time when Hemingway came to do a bit of fishing on the banks of the Square du Vert-Galant truly gone? Not necessarily – aquatic fauna love Paris too. The Seine is teeming with roach, carp, bleak, pikeperch and pike. musées museums tout Paris, toute l’info all Paris, all the info Site accessible en français, anglais et allemand, décliné en italien, espagnol, portugais, néerlandais, russe, coréen, chinois, japonais et arabe. Website available in French, English and German, with simplified versions in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic. PFY GB Guide 3 2006 28/05/06 12:53 Page 24 area by area, Paris is revealed. choose Depending on your mood and taste, an atmosphere and enjoy Paris à la carte! walks Timeless Paris walk 1 Artists’ Paris walk 5 Undiscovered Paris walk 9 Île de la Cité (4th) Latin Quarter (5th) Île Saint-Louis (4th) Jardin des Plantes (5th) q page 26 Musée d’Orsay (7th) Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th) Luxembourg (6th) Montparnasse (14th) q page 46 Viaduc des Arts (12th) Place d’Italie (13th) Bercy (12th), Tolbiac (13th) Bois de Vincennes (12th) q page 66 Hip Paris Monumental Paris People’s Paris walk 2 walk 6 walk 10 Marais (4th) Montorgueil (2nd) Hôtel de Ville (4th) Les Halles (1st) q page 30 Eiffel Tower (7th) Champ-de-Mars (15th) Invalides (7th) Trocadéro (16th) q page 52 Canal Saint-Martin (10th) La Villette (19th) Buttes-Chaumont (19th) Belleville (20th) q page 72 Glamorous Paris Chic Paris Party-time Paris walk 3 walk 7 walk 11 Palais-Royal (1st) Madeleine (8th) Opéra (9th) Grands Boulevards (9th) q page 36 Auteuil (16th) Bois de Boulogne (16th) Porte Maillot (16th) Passy, La Muette (16th) q page 56 République (10th) Bastille (11th) Oberkampf (11th) Père-Lachaise (20th) q page 76 Village Paris Mythical Paris Sightseeing in Île-de-France walk 4 Montmartre (18th) Pigalle (9th) Saint-Georges (9th) Trinité (9th), Batignolles (17th) q page 40 walk 8 Concorde (8th) Champs-Élysées (8th) Tuileries (1st) Louvre (1st) q page 60 walk 12 Contemporary art Painters Gardens and châteaux With family or friends q page 80