Things to Do in Île-de-France - page 5

One of Paris’ largest and most important public squares, the Place de la République dates to the early 19th century. Located at the convergence of the 3rd, 10th, and 11th arrondissements, and now the largest pedestrianized zone in the French capital, the square is also frequently used for demonstrations, protests, and public gatherings.

Among the largest Asian art museums outside of Asia, the Guimet Museum (Musée Guimet)houses thousands of artifacts, including sculptures, paintings, porcelain, and scrolls that date back more than 5,000 years. The museum was founded by adventurer and industrialist Émile Étienne Guimet and features several temporary exhibitions each year.

Paris’ largest public park, the sprawling Bois de Vincennes was first used as royal hunting grounds and was later renovated by Baron Haussmann during Napoleon’s reign. Today, the park hosts a zoo, several lakes, botanical gardens, a working farm, and a Buddhist temple; the medieval fortress Château de Vincennes stands at its northern edge.

Located in Marne-la-Vallée just minutes from Disneyland® Paris, Aquarium SEA LIFE® Paris Val D'Europe is one of the region’s top family-friendly attractions. Home to more than 5,000 aquatic animals—from penguins and sharks to seahorses and tropical fish—the aquarium represents multiple marine ecosystems.

Among the world’s largest flea markets, the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is located just north of central Paris. Established in 1870, the popular shopping destination now comprises 15 different sub-markets, each of which specializes in different items. Prepare to spend hours browsing, bantering, and bargaining.

Paris’ business district is home to office buildings and other high-rise structures, developed in this area just outside the city limits so as not to ruin central Paris’ historical landscape. Not many visitors make it out to La Défense, but those who do are rewarded with modern art and architecture that provide a new perspective on the city.

Housed inside the Bel Air House, the oldest building in Paris's charming Montmartre area, the Montmartre Museum offers a stunning permanent collection of art from some of the neighborhood's most celebrated and prolific artists. The Renoir Gardens here are equally worth visiting, with a beautiful pond and meandering pathways.

Celebrated French Romantic artist Eugène Delacroix spent the final years of his life in this house in Paris’ 6th arrondissement. The Musée National Eugène Delacroix also known as Musée Delacroix features works from every stage of the artist’s life, including over a thousand paintings, drawings, and writings. The museum also features works by artists inspired by his legacy.

Once the monarchy was safely restored in France, Louis XVIII ascended the throne and began to rehabilitate the sullied reputations of his notorious brother Louis XVI and sister-in-law Marie Antoinette. To this end, he commissioned Chapelle Expiatoire, a somber Neoclassical monument in their memory atop Madeleine Cemetery where they were unceremoniously buried during the French Revolution.

From its neoclassical facade to its rich interior, the Odéon-Théatre de l'Europe radiates Parisian grandeur in the heart of the Left Bank. This is where Mozart’sMarriage of Figaro premiered in 1784, and the theater has been active ever since. Now, it’s a premier destination for a wide range of cultural events, whether classic or contemporary.

Situated in the heart of Paris’s Right Bank, the 1st arrondissement is one of the oldest parts of the city; in fact, it occupies the western half of the Île de la Cité, formerly Lutetia, which was conquered by the Romans in 52 BC. Today, this central district is best known for the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden.

Famed for its romantic ambiance and tranquility, the Buttes-Chaumont Park (Parc des Buttes-Chaumont)—located in northeastern Paris’ 19th arrondissement—may not be one of the city’s most-visited green spaces, but it’s all the better for it. Commissioned by Napoleon III, the park features a lake, waterfalls, ornamental gardens, and the Temple de la Sibylle.

Without any family to pass his work along to, French Symbolist painter Gustave Moreau bequeathed his estate and all the artwork in it to the state of France. This under-the-radar museum—located at the foot of Montmartre in the 9th arrondissement—is stuffed to the rafters with Moreau’s work and personal effects and offers guests a glimpse into the famed artist’s life during the 19th century.

The Museum of Jewish Art and History (Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme opened its doors in 1998 and is the largest Jewish art and history museum in the country. The museum traces the history and culture of Europe’s Jewish communities from the Middle Ages to the present.