Exclusive Travel Guide (7) (1)

Exclusive Travel GuideParisian Dream

REMARKABLE JOURNEYS City of Paris\"I sometimes think how is anyone ever gonna come up with a book, or a painting,or a symphony, or a sculpture that can compete with a great city.You can't because you look around and every street, every boulevard, is its ownspecial art form...\" - Midnight in Paris



ICONIC PARISIAN LANDMARKS Tour EiffelThe Eiffel Tower in Paris is one of the most famous and recognizable buildings in theworld. Over 200,000,000 people have seen the tower after its construction in 1889, whichmakes it also the most visited paid monument in the world.Designed by the French metallic expert and engineer Gustave Eiffel, the tower wasoriginally planned for the Universal Exposition in Barcelona in 1888. The project wasdeclined due to its strange design and too expensive investment but later was approvedand built for the Universal Exposition in Paris.The tower is 324 m high and consists of 18 000 metal parts built separately andassembled on site. Despite the criticism of many French leading intellectuals and artistsfor its design and its permit for 20 years, the \"Iron Lady\" was a success from the time ofits opening and still is an extraordinary structure that turns into something trulyspectacular especially by night.



ICONIC PARISIAN LANDMARKS Arc de TriompheEnigmatic and majestic, located in the middle of Place de Gaulle, Arc de Triomphe isthe world’s largest triumphal arch and one of the most iconic monuments of Paris.This outstanding landmark previously known as “Place de l’Etoile, is also called the“Star Square” because more than 12 streets emanates from it. Standing at the end ofChamps-Elysées the Arc links the old Paris with the new Paris and it is situatedbetween the Louvre on one side and financial district with its skyscrapers on the other.Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to commemorate his military conquests, Arc deTriomphe was build between 1806 and 1836 to honor the military history of France.This instantly recognizable building fascinate visitors with its neo-classical architecture,delicate engravings and remarkable design, and provides a glimpse into France’ssocial past as well as spectacular views across central Paris.



ICONIC PARISIAN LANDMARKS Champs-ElyséesAvenue Champs-Élysées, one of the greatest and most beautiful boulevards in the word,famous for its theatres, cafés, luxury specialty shops and military parades. The name,translated from French means Elysian Fields, the paradise for dead heroes in Greekmythology.It runs from Arc de Triomphe to Place du la Concord, it is 1910 m long, 70 m wide and isdivided into two parts by the Rond-Point. The lower part towards Place de la Concord issurrounded by gardens, museums, theaters and restaurants and the upper part towardsArc de Triomphe traditionally was known as the site of luxury hotels, shops andrestaurants, pavement cafés, banks and offices.Firstly, the boulevard was build in 1667 by Louis XIV as a short extension of the TuileriesGardens, that connects the Louvre and Versailles, and was considered by many to be thebirth of Paris as a grand city. Until the 1960s, Champs-Élysées was known as the streetof high-end hotels, residences and Parisian elegance.



ICONIC PARISIAN LANDMARKS Musée du LouvreIn the heart of the most beautiful city in the world, originally the Royal Palace of theFrench Monarchy, now houses one of the fines and most famous art collections in theworld.The Louvre, grand and opulent, creates an immaculate journey through art and historywith hundreds of thousands masterpieces from ancient times to the middle of nineteencentury.The construction of the building has started in the late 12th century and has transformedfrom Medieval Fortress to Royal Palace, and then to Modern Day Museum. Itsmagnificent collection of pieces of art is over one million, 35 000 of which is on display,located in three different wings over the former palace.The Louvre Museum was first open to the public after the French Revolution in 1793 andnow is one of the oldest and most magnificent museums in the world.



ICONIC PARISIAN LANDMARKS Jardin des TuileriesTuileries Garden is a masterpiece of garden design and one of the world’s most iconicoutdoor art spaces. Created by request of the Queen Catherine de’Medici, the gardenaccompanied the Tuileries Palace.It was designed by landscape architect André Le Nôtre and is situated between theLouvre and Place de la Concord. The garden was originally build for royalties but in thelate seventeenth century was open to the public and it became a place for Parisians topromenade and celebrate.Art has played an important role of the Garden’s history and has been a famous outdoormuseum with works from classical to contemporary artists. With its beautiful paintings,sculptures and documentary photographs enriching its history, Tuileries Garden is also agreat inspiration for many artists around the world.



ICONIC PARISIAN LANDMARKS Cathédrale Notre-Dame de ParisNotre-Dame de Paris or ‘Our Lady in Paris’ is most famous Gothic Cathedral of theMiddle Ages and is among the largest church buildings in the world. Constructed over182 years and completed in 1345, it is a parish that contains the cathedra, or officialchair of the archbishop of Paris.The historic Catholic cathedral is located on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité and is acelebration of artistic and architectural genius. The overwhelming construction is 128 mlong with two 69 m tall towers and the spire over the crossing reaches 90m.The frontal west facade futures three wide portals with an elaborate gallery of Kings andspectacular eastern flying buttresses at the east side of the building. There is positionedinside the cathedral, enormous stained glass window masterpiece designed toilluminates the impressive architecture and the extraordinary experience of this sacredplace.



ICONIC PARISIAN LANDMARKS SorbonneSince the 13th century, the name Sorbonne is associated worldwide with the image of one ofthe most prestigious centers of intelligence and social science, culture and arts, literature,languages and humanities. The one that teach the knowledge of centuries and that issymbol of excellence.The Sorbonne is located in the Latin Quarter in Paris, which previously has been a historicalhouse of the former University of Paris, noted to be one of the first universities established inEurope. In 1970 University of Paris has been divided into thirteen universities split over threeacademies of Paris Region.The name is taken from the Collége de Sorbonne, founded in 1257 by Robert de Sorbonneas one of the first significant colleges of the medieval University of Paris. Today, the “OldLady” remains the prestigious symbol of a whole nation and all French universities andacademies.



ICONIC PARISIAN LANDMARKS Palais de LuxemburgLuxemburg Palace is one of the largest and most beautiful landmarks located in theLathin Quarter of Paris. The palace was initiated at the request of Queen Marie deMedicis, the widow of King Louis IV, and built by The French architect Salomon de Brossbetween the years 1615 and 1645.It was modelled after Palazzo Pitti similar to the queen’s homeland in Florence and wasintended to be a royal residence for herself and her son Louis XIII. An interesting part ofthe palace was the Galerie de Rubens, which features a series of twenty-four triumphantcanvasses commissioned from Peter Paul Rubens.After the Revolution Luxemburg Palace was remodelled by Alphonse de Gisors and since1958 it is a seat of the French Senate.After serious renovation in 20th century, the famous Luxemburg Garden was added tothe property. Currently, the garden is an oasis of history and nature with 106 statues andwater basins and a beautiful fountain, and is the second largest public park in Paris.



ICONIC PARISIAN LANDMARKS Sacré-CoeurStanding at the highest hill of Paris, in Montmartre area, the beautiful white stoneSacre-Coeur basilica has become one of the most noticeable landmarks in Paris,dedicated to the Jesus' sacred heart, symbol of all humanity.The Roman-Catholic church was constructed in honour to the thousands who lost theirlives in the war between Prussia and France, and to inspire the French people whosuffered with a defeat.The architect of this iconic basilica was Paul Abadie who createda design inspired by the eastern Byzantine architecture.The facade is very white, buildof travertine stone quarried in Chateau-Landon. The stones constantly exude calciteand ensure that the construction will remain white during the long years and despitepollution.Above the main entrance there is a statue of the French national saint Joan de Arc andKing Saint Louis IX. Between both statues stands the statue of Jesus, where is writtenthe Lathin phrase “Core Jesu Sacratissimum”, which means “The Sacred Heart ofJesus”.



ICONIC PARISIAN LANDMARKS Gallery la FayetteThe story of the French symbol of \"Art de Vivre\", Galeries Lafayette started in the late19th century, when Théophile Bader and his cousin Alphonse Kahn opened a small shopspecializing in novelty items on the corner of rue La Fayette and rue de la Chausséed’Antin in Paris.Théophile was dreaming of creating a “Luxury Bazaar” that will wow the crowd and in1896 the company bought the whole building at number 1, rue Lafayette together withseveral others near by, and made the dream a sensation.During the years, this magnificent building was decorated in Art Nouveau and later in ArtDéco style and was famous with its stunning staircase and outstanding dome of stainedglass windows, which later became its symbol.Galeries Lafayette, the icon of retail and fashion, which remained a family business forfive generations and proved its capacity for innovations, welcomed also a tee room,reading and smoking rooms, that has been added to the existing 96 departments. It hostsregularly fashion shows and the rooftop terrace offers a fantastic view of Paris.



ICONIC PARISIAN LANDMARKS L'opera GaernierThis opulent 19th-century architectural masterpiece, known as Palais Garnier, one ofParis most recognizable and historical monument, was opened in 1875.The story of Palais Garnier has began in January 1859 with an explosion. On that dateNapoleon III was attending an opera at the old theatre at rue “Le Peletier”. Due to safetyand security measures, Napoleon was convinced to build a new opera house, part of hisreconstruction of Paris.Palais Garnier was set up with the help of Baron Houssmann, who was creatingboulevards and was hired to modernize the city of Paris, and designed by CharlesGarnier in the popular Beaux Arts style at that time.When you walk inside the building, apart from the impressive theatre hall, there is asplendid interior design with spectacular marble staircase, heavy glass chandaliers,amazing painted ceiling and opulent spaces constructed for socializing before and afterthe performance. It is a second empire style at its high.





The best of America drifts to Paris. The American in Paris is the best American.It is more fun for an intelligent person to live in an intelligent country. Francehas the only two things toward which we drift as we grow older – intelligenceand good manners. - F. Scott Fitzgerald



Dear Edgar,This is my gift to you, which I hope will fill your heart and soul with new andprecious experiences!Events are moments in time. Travels are collection of moments. Close to heartare things that a dear to us, like You and Paris to me.And I hope that your mind will find good reasons to make one of the mostbeautiful cities in the world, one of the most extraordinary treasures of your life!With love and gratitude,Dessie

PARISIAN DREAM Its amazing how far you can go because someone believed in youTRAVEL CONCEPT & LIFE EVENT EXPERIENCE DESIGN BY DESISLAVA TAKOVA