Arts and Culture in Paris
Paris is not called the City of Lights for nothing. Its lively arts and culture scene is certain to bring joy to any traveler. The city is known for being the home of the Eiffel Tower, the grand old tower built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel. It was also the home of such recognized masters as Victor Hugo, Honoré de Balzac, and many others. However, Paris is much more than that. It is also home to more than 2,500 years of history and capital of the French Revolution. When mobs stormed the Bastille in 1789, it signaled the birth of democracy and ushered in a new era for France. It was never the same again, and it rose to become a multicultural center and a symbol of freedom and success in the contemporary era.
Musée du Louvre (Photo by Duncan Rawlinson)
A bit of history
The city of Paris has a rich history dating back to Roman rule and the medieval era. A tour of its excellent museums is a must for every traveler. For a taste of Parisian history, no journey is complete without visiting the iconic Musée du Louvre (Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, +33 1 40 20 53 17, website). This museum, one of the largest in the world, was the setting for Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code, but it is also the home of such great famous works as Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Michelangelo’s Slaves, the ancient Greek statue Venus de Milo and many others. Among its collections are over 35,000 works of art, including art and sculpture from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as paintings and drawings by Da Vinci, Albrecht Dürer, Michelangelo, Pieter Brueghel, and many other masters. Aside from its vast collection, the Louvre Pyramid is a main attraction and welcomes guests at the main courtyard.
Musée du quai Branly (Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra)
One of the top museums in Paris is the Musée du quai Branly (37, quai Branly 75007 Paris, +33 1 56 61 70 00, website). Its focus is on archaeological artifacts from Oceania, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. This collection includes over 8,000 ethnic musical instruments, historical documents from French history, and over 25,000 pieces of textiles. It also houses a very interesting media library, containing over 200,000 assorted printed works. Its architecture was designed by Jean Nouvel, and leading to it is a beautiful garden by landscape architect Gilles Clément. Indeed, this structure is breathtaking and invites the visitor to see more.
Those interested in cars and automotive history should visit the Musée Renault (51-53, avenue des Champs-Elysées, +33 1 46 05 23 32). It features classic cars manufactured by the iconic car company. Renault is the oldest car manufacturing company in France, and this museum’s collection features some of the most famous cars built by the company, as well as the first cars designed by Louis Renault, the company’s founder.
For the art lover
Primitive art holds a certain fascination for the tourist. The Alain de Monbrison (2 rue de Beaux Arts, 75006 Paris, +33 1 46 34 67 25, website) features artwork from the tribal regions of the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. In addition to being an arts gallery, it also holds auctions for different works.
Centre Pompidou (Photo by mstrupeck)
Art with a modern and contemporary flavor find their place in the Centre Pompidou (Place Georges Pompidou, 19 rue Beaubourg, 75004 Paris, +33 1 44 78 12 33, website). The late French president Georges Pompidou was passionate about modern art, but he did not live long enough to see the opening of the museum named in his honor. More than 60,000 works from the past century and the past decade are housed in this museum, celebrating modern art in a way that few museums dare to. Some of the most famous paintings of the modern era are featured here, including many from Pablo Picasso and Otto Wagner. This tribute to modern art is certainly encouraging for artists and anyone passionate about art.
The Galerie 1900-2000 (8 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, +33 1 46 34 74 52, website) is a specialized art gallery dedicated solely to the 20th century. Spanning the works from the past century, its collection is like no other. Many artists from the 20th century are represented here.
Going live
Classical music is alive and well in Paris. The most prestigious venue in the city is the Salle Gaveau (45, rue de la Boétie, 75008 Paris, +33 1 49 53 05 07). Constructed during the first decade of the 21st century, it has become the top attraction for classical music enthusiasts in Paris. Piano, chamber music, and orchestras have called Salle Gaveau home for over 100 years.
Another great institution dedicated to the classical music genre is Palais Garnier (8, rue Scribe 75009 Paris, +33 1 71 25 24 23, website), which Napoleon III especially commissioned. Opened in 1875, it currently houses the Paris Opera, the thirteenth venue France to do so. Featured here are the best ballet and opera performances in the country.
Palais Garnier (Photo by scarletgreen)
A more contemporary approach to music is encouraged at the Institute for Research and Coordination Acoustic/Music, or IRCAM (1, place Igor-Stravinsky, 75004 Paris, +33 1 44 78 48 43, website). It is the only musical institution in the world that focuses solely on contemporary music. With the guidance of the Centre Pompidou, the IRCAM is at the forefront of scientific research in music technology and education. Various quality performances by the best contemporary musicians in Paris can be attended during the concert season.
Tourist options
To help tourists wanting to explore the city, Paris offers the Paris Visite travel card, which allows you to get around via public transport. The t+ ticket is also available, but offers more limited public transport than Paris Visite. The t+ ticket is available from automatic ticketing machines at metro, bus, tramway, and RER stations, RATP-approved retailers, and some TGV lines. Paris Visite can be purchased from ticketing offices and automatic ticketing machines. Both allow the tourist to save money on transportation.
The Paris Museum Pass allows you free access to over 60 museums and monuments for unlimited visits for two, four, or six days. You will find this a handy convenience in visiting the many possible destinations in Paris. The Museum Pass can be purchased at the airports, different venues around the city, or online here.
The Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau (25 rue des Pyramides 75001 Paris, website) assists tourists in finding some of the best accommodations, travel spots, restaurants, and other destinations in the city. The website also allows booking a hotel online with a 60% reduction in hotel fees.
With its vast history, numerous historical sites, and commitment to culture, Paris certainly is in the list of every traveler embarking on a tour of the greatest cities of the world. Its modern cosmopolitan culture and medieval European art and architecture make it one of the cities to visit.
Tourist assistance
The Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Address: 25 rue des Pyramides 75001 Paris
Destinations
Musée du Louvre
- Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
- Tel: +33 1 40 20 53 17
- Opening hours: Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday—9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday—9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Closed Tuesdays and January 1st, May 1st, August 15th, and December 25th
- Cost: 9.5€ for all day access; 6€ for access on Wednesday and Friday from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Musée du quai Branly
- Address: 37, quai Branly 75007 Paris
- Tel: +33 1 56 61 70 00
- Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday—11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday—11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Closed Mondays, May 1st and December 25th
- Cost: museum admission—8.50€; international exhibition–7€; “a day at the museum ticket (museum and international exhibition)—10€
Musée Renault
- Address: 51-53, avenue des Champs-Elysées
- Tel: +33 1 46 05 23 32
- Opening hours: Tuesday and Thursday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Alain de Monbrison
- Address: 2 rue de Beaux Arts, 75006 Paris
- Tel: +33 1 46 34 67 25
Centre Pompidou
- Address: Place Georges Pompidou, 19 rue Beaubourg, 75004 Paris
- Tel: +33 1 44 78 12 33
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., to 11 p.m. for exhibitions on level 6
- Closed Tuesdays and May 1st
Galerie 1900-2000
- Address: 8 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris
- Tel: +33 1 46 34 74 52
- Opening hours: Monday—2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday to Saturday—10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Closed Sundays
Salle Gaveau
- Address: 45, rue de la Boétie, 75008 Paris
- Tel: +33 1 49 53 05 07
Palais Garnier
- Address: 8, rue Scribe 75009 Paris
- Tel: +33 1 71 25 24 23
- Opening hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Closed January 1st, May 1st, and special events
- Cost: 9€ normal price; 6€ reduced price for students, visitors under 25, and school groups
Institute for Research and Coordination Acoustic/Music
- Address: 1, place Igor-Stravinsky, 75004 Paris
- Tel: +33 1 44 78 48 43
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