Online dictionary of France travel and tourism: paris

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Arc de Triomphe

French words: Arc de Triomphe
alternative words: Arch of triumph, Triumph arch
keywords: paris , tourist resort
related topics: Louvre museum , Champs Elysees
related web sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_de_Triomphe , http://www.insecula.com/musee/M0107.html
explanation: Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 after the victory of Austerlitz, imitating a Roman custom, it was achieved only in the reign of Louis Philippe in 1836. A rotary, "Place de l'Etoile", where it is located, was planed by Haussman in 1854, and corresponds to the west end of a historical axis which runs from Louvre through Champs Elysee. The monument rises to 50m high with 4 columns, each of which is sculptured a French military epic. It also shelters a tomb of the French unknown solders of WWI.

Bateau-mouche

French words: Bateau-mouche
alternative words: Seine cruise, Seine excursion
keywords: paris , transport
related topics: Louvre museum , Eiffel tower , Notre-Dame cathedral , Orsay museum
related web sites: http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/main.htm
explanation: Seine river passing through the center of Paris, it is an agreeable way to admire famous Parisian monuments built along the river bank such as Louvre palace, Norte-Dame cathedral, Eiffel tower and Orsay museum from an excursion ship when it is fine. Most of the embarkations are performed from a quay at the foot of Eiffel tower and the excursion lasts one hour without meal and 2 hours with a dinner service.

Bois de Boulogne

French words: Bois de Boulogne
alternative words: Boulogne forest
keywords: paris , paris suburb , park
related topics: Longchamp racecourse
related web sites: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bois_de_Boulogne
explanation: Until the middle ages, there had existed a vast forest in west of Paris and French kings were used to hunt there. The nearest part was named "Bois de Boulogne" because after the king Philippe IV pilgrimmed at Boulogne-sur-mer, a chapel was built there in 1315. Napoleon III assigned in 1852 the gardener Vare then the engineer Alphand to transform it to an English style garden. Covering 8460 km2, Bois de Boulogne owns a small amusement park (jardin d'acclimatation) and 2 hippodromes, Auteuil and Longchamp.

Bois de Vincennes

French words: Bois de Vincennes
alternative words: Vincennes forest
keywords: paris , paris suburb , park
related topics: Bois de Boulogne , Vincennes castle
related web sites: http://www.boisdevincennes.com , http://www.mnhn.fr
explanation: Located in east of Paris, Bois de Vincennes had been a hunting area for French kings during the middle ages. Philippe II surrounded it with walls and added a hunting lodge in 13th century. A legend says that Saint Louis would give judgements under oak trees. Napoleon III asked again in 1857 Adolphe Alphand to transform it to an English style garden like Bois de Boulogne. Covering 9950 km2, Bois de Vincennes owns zoological and floral gardens, and a hippodrome. Most of 1900 Olympic games were played there.

Champs Elysees

French words: Champs Elysées , Avenues des Champs Elysées , Boulevard des Champs Elysées
alternative words: Champs Elysees street, Champs Elysees avenue, Champs Elysee
keywords: locality , paris , tourist resort
related topics: Arc de Triomphe , Louvre museum , Concorde square
related web sites: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenue_des_Champs-%C3%89lys%C3%A9es , http://www.magicparis.com/champselysees/fr/frindex.asp
explanation: Famous street located in the north-west of Paris and runs from "Place de la Concorde" to "Arc de Triomphe" along the historical axis. Though there had been a pasture until 17th century, since le Notre settled it, Champs Elysees has developed quickly. Since 1828, the city of Paris is its owner. During the reign of Napoleon III, rich families such as Rothschild and Pereire installed there, then luxury boutiques such as Vuitton, Guerlain, Lanvin opened. Champs Elysees is a paradise in Greek mythology.

Chanel

French words: Chanel
alternative words: Coco Chanel, Gabrielle Chanel
keywords: paris , shop
related topics: Saumur
related web sites: http://www.chanel.com , http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coco_Chanel
explanation: French fashion designer, Gabrille alias Coco Chanel was born in 1883 at Saumur. Since she lost her mother at 12 while his father left her, she was put into an orphanage. In 1910, she opened her shop in Paris, Cambon street, then at Deauville in Normandy to sell her lady hats with funds of a British loving. In 1921, the famous Chanel No 5 fragrance was introduced. In 1924, Pierre Wertheimer became her business partner and his descendents still control the company. She died in 1971 at Lausanne, Switzerland.

Christian Dior

French words: Christian Dior
alternative words: Dior
keywords: normandy , paris , shop
related topics: Yves Saint Laurent
related web sites: http://www.dior.com , http://mesparfums.free.fr/historique/dior/dior.php
explanation: French fashion designer, Christian Dior was born in 1905 at Granville, Normandy. Interested in fashion art, he gave up his studies and performed sketches for Robert Piguet. In 1946, he opened his own boutique at avenue Montaigne, Paris with a financial aid of Marcel Boussac. "The New Look" style created in 1947 was unanimously hailed by American public. After death of Christian Dior in 1957, Yves Saint Laurent was named chief designer before becoming independent. The company was purchased in 1987 by LVMH.

Cite Island

French words: L'île de la Cité , La Cité
alternative words: Ile de la Cite
keywords: castle , human heritage , locality , paris , tourist resort
related topics: Notre-Dame cathedral , Saint Chapel
related web sites: http://www.insecula.com/musee/M0073.html , http://www.pariserve.tm.fr/quartier/00ilecite.htm
explanation: Initially, it was merely an islet lost inside Seine river but offering a secured place against invaders, a town had developed slowly. During Roman period, the town was called Lutece. It resisted against Attlia in 451, encouraged by Sainte Genevieve. Clovis of Merovingian dynasty made Paris its capital. In 885, the resistance organised under the command of Eude against Vikings. Rich in medieval monuments such as Notre-Dame, Sainte Chapelle and Conciergerie, the island belongs to UNESCO's human heritage.

Concorde square

French words: Place de la Concorde
alternative words: Concorde, Place de la Concorde, Concorde place
keywords: locality , paris , tourist resort
related topics: Champs Elysees , Tuileries Palace
related web sites: http://www.insecula.com/musee/M0051.html , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_de_la_Concorde , http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Paris/Monuments-Paris/Obelisque.shtml
explanation: Octagonal place, located at the east end of Champs Elysees and next to Tuileries Garden, it was built in 1755. Initially named "Place Louis XV" to honour the king, it was renamed to "Place de la revolution", when the monarchy was overthrown. The French king, Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were guillotined there in 1793. The French marine headquarter and Hotel Crillon are separated by Rue Royale on the north. The central obelisk of Luxor was offered to France by an Egyptian sultan in 1831.

Eiffel tower

French words: Tour Eiffel , La Tour Eiffel
alternative words: Effel tower
keywords: building , paris , tourist resort
related web sites: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower
explanation: Located on the southern shore of Seine river at "Champ de Mars" in Paris, Eiffel tower was designed by the architect, Gustave Eiffel for the universal exposition of 1889, 100 years anniversary of the French revolution. Initially built for only 20 years, an appearance of the radio diffusion saved Eiffel tower from the destruction. Eiffel tower owns 3 observatories, at 57m, 115m and 300m, and the total height is 324m, including a television antenna.

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