A Grand Theatre

Theatre du Chatelet is one of Paris' most famous theaters. Built in the middle of the 19th century, it was dedicated to the “opérette“, a kind of entertainment mixing songs, speeches and sometimes ballet.

Dancers like Nijinsky and Anna Pavlova and musicians like Stravinsky, Malher, Strauss, Tchaikovsky and Debussy have all performed there.

A Giant Clockwork

Behind this stunning clockwork in the Musée d'Orsay, you can sit and enjoy a cup of espresso in a cafe. After the caffeine refuel, browse some of the most famous paintings of the 19th century by Van Gogh, Renoir, Manet, Cezanne, Monet, Picasso and Degas.

Near the exit is another giant clockwork where you can see Paris through the glass of the face.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Back to the parks, I know. But did you know that such a place even existed in our favorite city?

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont was once the site of a gypsum quarry and was designated a park in the 1860's. Meandering paths, waterfalls, caves and a bridge, cheerfully named Pont des Suicides, are all features of the park.

Place des Vosges

For a visit to the oldest square in Paris, visit the Place des Vosges, built by Henry IV form 1605 to 1612. A true square, it embodied the first European idea of royal city planning.

French novelist lived in n° 6 when the building was the Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée from 1832-48.

A Return to La Sainte-Chapelle

A detail of the beautiful stonework at La Sainte-Chapelle, the church from Saturday's post.

Also, a detail from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry by the Limbourg Brothers, showing La Sainte-Chapelle circa 1400. The rose window, seen in the previous post, is shown here on the front of the chapel.

St. Gervais et St. Protais

On the right bank of the Seine, tucked behind the Hôtel de Ville sits the stunning church of St. Gervais et St. Protais. This medieval structure houses the secrets of a great dynasty of French musicians: the organ played by Louis and François Couperin.

The church has been home to the organ since 1653 and was played by the Couperin family for nearly two hundred years.

Stained Glass of La Sainte-Chapelle

Louis IX built La Sainte-Chapelle to house precious relics from the Passion, including Christ's Crown of Thorns he'd bought from Baldwin II in 1239. In 1241, he added a piece of the true cross. During the French Revolution the relics were stolen.

The pious king was later granted sainthood by the Catholic Church.

B&B in the City

Did you know you can stay at an amazing B&B in the center of Paris? You can!

Visit this site http://www.2binparis.com/ to search hundreds of bed & breakfasts in any of the arrondissements of Paris.

Starting at as little as $65 per person per night, B&B Fidelite offers a beautiful, spa-inspired design in the 10th arrondissement.

Les Escaliers du Louvre

As this stairway proves, the architecture at the Lourve is often just as stunning as the work on display. Famous Dutch artist Escher was no doubt inspired by the Lefuel staircase in the Richelieu aisle of the Louvre.

Escher is famous for his staircases to infinity, which seem to be going nowhere and everywhere all at once.

Les Invalides de Nuit

In Paris' 7th arrondissement sits the beautiful, historic building Les Invalides. It was built in 1674 to shelter wounded and veteran soldiers, and in 1676, a chapel was added (as seen in the dome at the center). Today the building still acts as a hospital and museum where visitors can view Napoleon's tomb.

Front de Seine

Front de Seine, also known as Beaugrenelle, is a district in Paris' 15th arrondissement just to the south of the Eiffel Tower.

It mimics a mini-Manhattan with high-rise buildings along the banks of the river, home to offices and shopping malls. The area hosts 20 of the highest towers in the city, all reaching nearly 100 meters, though not high enough to be called skyscrapers.

Les Jardins de Paris: Jardin du Luxembourg

For the new Parisian import, the Jardin du Luxembourg, (nicknamed Luco by the locals) is the best place to soak up the French way of life.

Located in the Latin Quarter, the park features attractions for the kiddies, art exhibited on the wrought iron fences, and a chance to try your hand at boules (a French game similar to bocce).