Tour of Paris

Paris arose out of a small fishermen settlement on the island of Ile de la Cite (a small island in the centre of modern day Paris where Notre Dame Cathedral now stands). The Parisii tribe settled on the tiny island as the surrounding Seine River provided protection from invading tribes.

The Roman's conquered the settlement in 52AD renaming the area Lutetia Parisiorum. They controlled the region for 500 years, setting up numerous administrative and religious buildings, some of which still stand today. In 250 A.D., the 1st Bishop of Paris, St. Denis, introduced Christianity. He was beheaded not long after.

Paris was made a capital city in 508 A.D. by Clovis, King of the Franks. In 789 A.D. the Carolingian dynasty moved the capital to Aix-la-Chapelle. A Viking attack on Paris in 886 was repelled by Eudes, the Count of Paris. As a result, his popularity grew creating a new dynasty. Hugues Capet, the Count’s grand nephew, became King of France in 987 marking the beginning of the Capetian dynasty that continued to rule France until 1328. Over the next few centuries, the population of Paris grew rapidly along with the building of the Sainte Chapelle in 1140, Notre Dame in 1163, and the establishment of the University of Paris in 1215.

The Hundred Year War from 1337-1453 ended with Henry VI of England crowning himself king of England and France at Notre Dame. The English controlled the city from 1420 to 1436. After the Hundred Year War, the city fell back into a period of stability that lasted until the Wars of Religion (1562-1598). The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre marked the height of dismay. King Henri IV restored sanity by encouraging religious tolerance. Henry 1V was assassinated in 1610.

July 14th 1789, a mob descended on the palace at Versailles demanding the royal family move to the Tuilerie palace inside Paris. From that point on the King and Queen were virtual prisoners. Antoinette sought aid from other European rulers including her brother, the Austrian Emperor, and her sister, Queen of Naples. When Austria and Prussia declared war on France, she was accused of passing military secrets to the enemy. On August 10th 1792, the royal family was arrested on suspicion of treason and imprisoned. On January 21st 1793, King Louis XVI was convicted and executed on the guillotine. Antoinette followed her husband to the guillotine on October 16, 1793. She was only 37 years old. The execution of the royals led to Napoleon 1 taking control of France.

The Bourbon monarchy was restored in 1814 after the defeat of Napoleon I at the battle of Waterloo in 1815. The succession went to the closest living relative of Louis XVI who became Louis XVIII. He had escaped to Britain where he sat out the Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. The new monarchy only lasted until the ascension of Napoleon III after the revolution of 1848. The forced abdication of Napoleon III in 1871 by Republicans led to France becoming a republic.

During WW II, Germany took control of Paris June 14th 1940. They were not expelled from the city until August 25th 1944.

Travel between Prestwick and Beauvais takes about 1hour 15 minutes. Beauvais is a small town 100kms north of Paris. Most people wanting to travel to Paris City Centre take the airport bus direct from the airport. The buses are scheduled to service individual flights, they leave 20 minutes after a flights arrival, just buy a ticket at the ticket office just outside the terminal main entrance then board the coach. Returning to the airport, the coaches leave Paris 3 hours before a flights departure. The duration of the bus transfer is about 75 minutes. The terminus in Paris City Centre is at Porte Maillot. Porte Maillot is just to the west of the city centre just beyond the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees. The coach trip costs about €13 each way. Porte Maillot has its own metro station on Line 1. Line 1 runs the length of the Champs Elysees past the Louvre. Not used to the underground, then taxis are probably the best way between Porte Maillot and the hotels.

Probably the best way to learn about the museums and monuments of Paris is by the Hop on Hop off buses. Prices for these tours that give information in most languages are about 1 day €25, 2 days €28, children €12 for 2 days. You can just pay on boarding at any of the stops in the centre of Paris. For more information, view the website www.paris-opentour.com/index_eng.htm.

The Eiffel Tower is situated in the centre of Paris. Most of the tourist attractions are situated within walking distance of the tower. Also, many of the large river boats depart from close to the tower. The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. At 300 metres and 7000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930. Price for the lifts to the top is about €11 per adult €6 per child.

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 shortly after his victory at Austerlitz, it was not completed until 1836. Engraved around the top of the Arch are the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. The names of less important victories, as well as those of 558 generals, can be found on the inside walls. Generals whose names are underlined died in action. Beneath the Arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and eternal flame commemorating the dead of the two world wars. There is a small museum inside the arch documenting its history and construction. Situated in Paris centre on the bus route.

Louis XIV founded Les Invalides in 1670 near what was then called the Grenelle Plain (an old soldiers home). The dome was constructed between 1706 and 1708. The most significant event in the history of Les Invalides was the return of the body of Napoleon in 1840. After seven years of negotiation with the British government, Louis-Philippe, King of France, obtained permission to repatriate Emperor Napoleon's remains from St. Helena. On October 8th, 1840, 19 years after the death of the Emperor, the coffin was exhumed then transported to France aboard the frigate La Belle Poule. On April 3rd 1861, Napoleon I was laid to rest in the crypt under the dome. Situated close to the Eiffel Tower on the bus route. Open 10.00 - 21.00, price per adult about €8, children free.

Notre-Dame de Paris

Construction of Notre-Dame de Paris began in 1163 during the reign of Louis VII. Construction was completed roughly 200 years later in about 1345. The choir was completed in 1182; the nave in 1208, and the west front and towers between 1225 and1250. At the end of the 18th century, during the Revolution, many of the treasures of the cathedral were either destroyed or plundered. Only the great bells avoided being melted down. After falling into disrepair, a restoration program was carried out in 1845. This program that lasted 23 years included the construction of the spire. Mary Stuart was crowned Queen of France here after her marriage to François II. Situated in the centre of paris on the bus route. Free entry when there are no services in progress.

The Opera was built between 1862-1875 with the architect being Charles Garnier. This is probably the most ornate building in Paris attracting a lot of interest from tourists. Situated in the centre of Paris on the bus route. Open for tours 10.00 - 16.30. price €5 ?.

Basilique du Sacr'e-Cceur

The Basilique du Sacr'e-Cceur was built after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Plans for the new basilica were to incorporate the Romano-Byzantine style. The first stone was laid in 1875 with the building completed in 1914. The interior of the church contains one of the worlds largest mosaics depicting Christ with outstretched arms. The nearby bell tower contains the Savoyarde. Cast in Annecy in 1895, it is one of the worlds heaviest bells at 19 tons. Situated west of Paris centre not on the bus route. Can be seen from the Eiffel Tower. The Basilique and Crypt are open 09.00 - 20.00, entrance fee about €25.

The origins of the Louvre Palace date to 1200 when Philippe August began construction of a fortress on the banks of the Seine. It first became the official royal residence under Charles V who also constructed a new perimeter with a moat (part of the moat still exists today). The Palace was extended by kings and emperors over the centuries into the vast building that can be seen today. After France became a Republic, the Louvre was converted to a museum housing statues and paintings from around the world, including the Mona Lisa. In 1981, Ieoh Ming Pei was commissioned to create a new reception area with modernized entrance to the Museum. The Pyramid that is now the entrance officially opened in April 1989. There have been heated debates ever since as to whether the pyramid design should have been chosen as an entrance this historic building. Situated in Paris centre on the bus route. Open 09.00 - 18.00 each day with an entrance fee of about €9.

Catacombs of Paris

The Catacombs of Paris were originally depleted limestone quarries, some from the Roman times. Burials in the Catacombs began in 1786 as the Les Halles district was suffering from contamination caused by poor burials and mass graves in the churchyard cemeteries. The authorities decided to discreetly move the bones to the underground passageways. During World War II, some Parisian cells of French Resistance used the tunnel system. The Germans also established an underground bunker for their own use. This bunker can be reached only by "unofficial" visits. The only official way to visit is through the Catacomb Museum in the Montparnasse Quarter at : 1, place Denfert-Rochereau. Tel: +33 01 43 22 47 63.

For a full list of museums and monuments in Paris view the website www.paris.org/Maps/MM/.You can click on the map to get details of each venue.

Late Rooms is an excellent website for booking Hotels in Paris. Simply click on the banner below. You will then see a selection of hotels with prices for the next few days. To view dates up to three months in advance, choose the arrival date and how many nights you plan to stay in the Search Engine then click Go. You will then see a list of hotels with prices and available rooms on those dates. Rooms can then be booked using the secure online booking system.

Car hire from Prestwick, Glasgow or any other European Airports can be found at: www.arguscarhire.com. Argus Car Hire offer low cost car hire at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland with the best fully inclusive car hire rates from the world's top 100 car rental companies. Argus Car Hire provide a wide choice of vehicles from budget economy options through to luxury autos. Argus will compare all the top car hire providers based at Prestwick Airport, or any other European Airport, to find you the very best deals available.