The Art of Parisian Structures: An Architectural Tour of France's Capital
You’ll be mesmerized by how it rises with a single touch.
Being arguably the most famous city in the World, and a top destination for many travelers Paris is well renowned; from the city's acclaimed food scene, to world class art museums the city of lights offers something for everyone. In a city full of must see attractions, it can be hard to determine what to see and what to skip, below you will find a list of some of the notable architectural landmarks that Paris has to offer along with a brief description of what makes them notable/unique.
We start out with an iconic Parisian landmark, the Louvre has been around since the 12th century, and much like the city of Paris itself the Louvre has seen numerous changes of the course of its history. The art museum at the Louvre is the largest in the world, holding notable artworks by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, among many others. The famed glass pyramid structure which houses the art museum and is synonymous with the Louvre, is relatively new as it was completed in 1989.
Built by celebrated architect Frank Gehry, who is known for his confounding, shape-defying designs, the foundation Louie Vuitton is an awe inspiring architectural wonder. Located in the ritzy, upscale 16th arrondissement of Paris that is known for its 19th century architecture, wide avenues, and as being a place of residence for the high life of Paris, the Foundation Louie Vuitton manages to stand out on its own through its unique style, the building resembles a futuristic silver clad spaceship, it is especially impressive to see this massive structure rise up from the mass of trees that surround it in the Jardin d' Acclimation, a beautiful park and amusement park in the area.
Built for the Paris opera under the rule of Napoleon III, the Opera Garnier is notable for its magnificence, and grandeur. The outside of the opera includes intricate details that one has to see in person to truly grasp. The upper part of the building near the roof is stunning with its gold lining and two golden angel sculptures. While you could spend hours examining the elaborate craftsmanship, the inside of the Opera Garnier is perhaps more astounding. Magnificent golden columns reach towards the golden ceiling, broken up in parts by beautiful romantic style paintings. The Opera Garnier is notable for having provided the inspiration behind the notable book, and subsequent production The Phantom of the Opera.
Sacre-Coeur Basilica: Perched atop the butte Montmartre (the highest point in Paris) Sacre-Coeur provides stunning views of the Paris cityscape that alone make this a must visit destination. The structure itself was built for the Roman Catholic Church, construction took place from 1875 until it was completed in 1914. The style of the structure is in great contrast with the golden excess of the Opera Garnier, a conscious choice made by the architect Paul Abadie.
To really see and understand Paris, you must view it through the scope of its incredible architecture, while the list above is by no mean comprehensive it provides you with a good foundation for your trip to Paris.
