The Valley of Grace

Anne of Austria, wife of Louis XIII, vowed to erect a magnificent temple if God blessed her with a son. She got two.

The resulting Eglise du Val-de-Grâce (Church of the Valley of Grace), was erected in 1621 and home to a Benedictine monastery. It is now a military hospital and museum and is one of Paris' most stunning examples of baroque architecture.

Arènes de Lutèce

This Roman arena, where wild beasts and gladiators once did battle, once accommodated 10,000 seated spectators. Visible as late as the 12th century, it fell under rubble until the site was rediscovered in 1869. Arènes de Lutèce is now home to a lush garden and attracts skateboarders, football players and boules players.