Designed by the architect Adrien Fainsilber and opened in 1986, this museum is quite unique. Beyond its basic "mission" of bringing science to a wider audience, it also aims to give visitors a more involved role and to use the most modern t..

The Basilica is a gem of French Gothic architecture and a source of inspiration for the cathedrals of Chartres, Senlis and Meaux. The necropolis of the Kings of France houses a collection – the only one of its kind in Europe – of recumbent figures an..

A symbol of Classical perfection, the largest palace in the world was the sumptuous reflection of an era of intensive creation, and emblem of absolute power. Just like in the times of Louis XIV, entry to the Palace, which was built by Le Vau and J..

Starting at the terrace of the Château de Versailles , you can explore the grounds on foot, by horse-drawn carriage or in a small boat on the Grand Canal. The rectilinear Axe du Soleil , with its water parterre , fountains, statues (such as the D..

Designed by the architects Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano, the Pompidou Centre is located in the old Beaubourg quarter, where its fusion of steel, glass and bright colours provides quite a contrast. The centre is home to the Musée National d’Art Mod..

This ultra-modern museum highlights old and contemporary works which relate to Jewish culture, covering areas such as religion , the Diaspora , and the Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities . The section on contemporary Judaism deals with the rise..

A flamboyant church made up of the double Ambulatory of the choir, which the ceiling with the multiple mouldings descending onto columns has led to be compared to a palm grove. Beautiful stained glass windows from the late 15C and modern windows..

How to put into words the peaceful charm of this unique island? A waterfront where it is pleasant to wander under the facades of the noble classical mansions which was the haunt of numerous artists and aesthetes such as Baudelaire, Théophile Gautier,..

This mansion, built in 1650 by François Mansart, and slightly altered in the 18th, has been wonderfully restored. Its simple and harmonious lines, its little French-style garden make it one of the loveliest in the Marais. It houses the Museum of Hunt..

Every aspect of the animal world, including the themes of hunting myths and legends, its traditions and practices, and the development of firearms, is highlighted here via paintings of animals, stuffed animals from North Africa, the Americas and Asia..

The Donon Mansion houses, in a 16C setting, a collection of 18C European art brought together by the founders of la Samaritaine. Presenting drawings and paintings along with precious objects and furniture, the whole evokes the refined life of the Cen..

This delightful and popular residence was frequented by some of the country’s leading citizens: Diane of France; Lamoignon (the President of the Parliament), who entertained Racine, Madame de Sévigné, Bourdaloue and Boileau; and Alphonse Daudet, who ..

Like the Hôtel de Soubise , this mansion was built by Delamair in 1705. It was the residence of four cardinals from the Rohan family, all of whom were bishops of Strasbourg. Inside, a fine staircase leads to the apartments . Note the Gobelins tapes..

This church, originally dedicated to St Louis, was built from 1627-41 based on a plan inspired by the Gesù church in Rome. It took its present name after the destruction of the nearby Église Saint-Paul in the late 18C. The façade, with its Classical ..

Five centuries of architecture: a Roman belfry, a radiant choir, a flamboyant porch and nave, a Renaissance gateway and a somewhat heavy handed restoration, by Ballard and Lassus, in the 19C. It is the porch which draws attention with its central doo..

During the times of Ancient Rome, the Romans already lived in this quarter, and, preferred the slopes of Sainte-Geneviève, leaving the «plain» to the Gauls. During the 12th century, clerks and scholars crossed the Seine and set up on the left bank, o..

In 1662, the Louvre Palace's outside façade on the Paris side, was still not as Louis XIV desired. The king preferred Bernin's project to those of three French architects: Perrault, Le Vau and d'Orbay. Overlooking the church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerr..

Initially a small chapel dedicated to St Agnès, and then to St Eustache, this church was built between 1532 and 1640 based on the plans of Notre-Dame. The façade was rebuilt in Classical style in 1754. The transept façade is a fine Renaissance comp..

The former mansion of the abbots of Cluny, one of the rare private residences of the 15C, houses the 3C Roman baths. The galleries are devoted to the Middle Ages: extraordinary tapestries of the «milles fleurs» genre the stars being the six hangings ..

The 17C Hôtel Salé is the setting for this impressive collection of paintings which follows the development of this great master from Málaga in southern Spain via a superb series of sculptures, drawings, engravings and ceramics. The artist’s person..