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Activities at Hotel Pavillon de la Reine or nearby |
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VISITING PLACE DES VOSGES |
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The Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris, is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Its history goes back to 1604 when King Henri IV built a Royal pavilion at the southern end of the square. The building was designed by Baptiste du Cerceau.
The King ordered all 35 other buildings bordering the square to follow the same design. The result, an early example of urban planning, is a symmetrical square surrounded by buildings with red brick and white stone facades, steep slate roofs and dorm windows, all constructed over arcades. The Royal pavilion at the center of the southern side, the so-called King's pavilion was built on top of a gateway. At the northern side mirroring the King's pavilion is the Queen's pavilion.
Many famous Frenchmen lived here, among them Richelieu and Victor Hugo. Cardinal Richelieu, who became prime minister of France in 1624 lived here from 1615 to 1627. Victor Hugo, author of 'The hunchback of Notre Dame' lived here from 1832 to 1848. The house, now called 'Maison de Victor Hugo' is turned into a museum. You can visit the rooms where Victor Hugo wrote most of 'Les Misérables'. On display are souvenirs, drawings and books, all in chronological order, from his childhood to his exile between 1852 and 1870.
The Place des Vosges is now a peaceful place, a nice central park surrounded by arcades with shops and cafes. It is located in the historical Marais district, in the 3rd arrondissement, not far from the Place de la Bastille.
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SIGHTSEEING |
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Stroll down the most beautiful avenue in the world, the Champs
Elysées, climb the Eiffel Tower for a wonderful view of the city. Visit
the historic monuments, from Notre Dame to Montmartre and countless
others.
Visit the Elysee Plalace, Sénat, the Assemblée Nationale, the
Conciergerie, Sainte-Chapelle and don´t miss out on the free concert
every Sunday in the famous Notre Dame de Paris cathedral.
See Paris by night as you dine by candle-light, floating down the Seine
on a river boat.
Don't forget the museums and art galleries for which Paris is renowned:
the Louvre, the Orsay Museum, the Rodin Museum, just to mention a few.
Discover romantic Paris as you stroll along its bridges, through the
many parks and gardens.
On the outskirts of Paris, visit the Château de Versailles and its
wonderful gardens.
A day out at Disneyland Paris is a must for the young and the young at
heart!
Visit the Parc Zoologique (one of the biggest zoos in France), the Parc
Floral, and the tropical garden. You can also visit the Château de
Vincennes, which was first a royal residence, then a pre-revolutionary
State prison, a porcelain factory and an arsenal before finally being
transformed into a museum of history.
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