Renovated with love, the old town has rediscovered its 17 and 18C facades not long ago covered in disgraceful render. This has led to evidence of the «Lille style» with facades where bricks and sculpted stones are mixed. You'll discover many examples..

Bordered by Flemish Baroque style buildings, its architectural balance is created by the urban structures of an alderman who enforced a rule that all buildings had to be made of brick or stone with no overhang or juts. The oldest building, the hôtel ..

The «Mount of the Martyrs» where, as tradition has it, Saint Denis prayed to heaven, is a surprising place which even today has managed to keep its look of a village, even if the flow of tourists tends to spoil it. The place where the Paris Commune s..

The Place des Vosges , rue des Francs-Bourgeois , and three mansions in particular, the Hôtel de Soubise , Hôtel Salé and Hôtel de Rohan , take visitors back to the 17C and 18C, the time of the absolute monarchy and the Enlightenment. However, ..

This museum contains one of the largest collections of modern art in the world (60 000 exhibits), ranging from painting and architecture to photography, cinema, new media, sculpture and design. Rooms dedicated to a single artist alternate with theme-..

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..

This jewel of Gothic art was built upon the order of Saint Louis to house the relics of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Located in the confines of the Palais de Justice, Sainte-Chapelle is divided into two parts: the lower chapel, intended for the palace..

This stunning architectural complex was built in 1671, according to the plans of Libéral Bruant , to receive and care for the war wounded. Its buildings now house various military bodies and the Musée de l'Armée . In the centre of the majestic faca..

This site has been a place of worship for 2 000 years: a Gallo-Roman temple, Christian basilica and Romanesque church all preceded the current building. Maurice de Sully began construction around 1163. Over the centuries it has suffered significant a..

This vast square, probably conceived by Métezeau, was the wish of Henri IV. When completed in 1612, the Place Royale became the centre of elegant life, with carrousels and pleasure. The square got its present name in 1800 in honour of the département..

Pierre Lescot’s façade, between the Pavillon de l’Horloge (Clock Pavilion) and the south wing, boasts some truly delightful decoration. The sculptor Jean Goujon concentrated his efforts (allegorical high-reliefs, statues in the niches, friezes of c..

The ancient forest of Bière has always been a magnificent hunting ground, particularly on horseback. Today, it is carefully maintained (it is divided into 747 plots tended so as to produce the finest specimens), and has signposted pathways throughout..

Like its big brother in America, this theme park, which opened in 2002, takes you behind the scenes to explore the techniques of cinema, cartoons and television. Modelled on a real film studio, the park has four "production zones": Front Lo..

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..

Begun by Robert de Luzarches in 1220, the cathedral was built very quickly which explains the amazingly balanced architecture of this, the largest Gothic building in France, today classed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. It has a superb façade, th..

Standing in the middle of a lake, this fine building bequeathed to the Institut de France by the Duc d’Aumale, consists of the petit château , highlighting the history of the Condé family, with its apartments decorated with fine wood panelling and w..

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..

It is the symbol of Paris and probably the best-known Parisian monument in the world: endless queues form outside the lifts. And yet ... And yet, when it was first silhouetted against the skies of Paris in 1889, numerous artists made vigorous protest..

Built around 1630, this typical Louis XIII château was remodelled in the 18C. The façade was embellished in the 19C with a replica of the Fontainebleau horseshoe staircase. Courances is primarily known for its park , one of the finest examples of a ..

Opened in 1934, Vincennes Zoo is taking on a new lease of life thanks to a major overhaul begun in 2008 and due to finish in 2012. 16 000 m² of new buildings are going up, 9 000 m² of buildings are being restored, 13 000 m² of buildings are coming do..