The 320.75 meters high Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemo- rating the centenary of the French Revolution.

2.5 million rivets.

7000 tons.

Sways up to 12 cm in high winds.

Height varies up to 15 cm depending on temperature.

15,000 iron pieces (excluding rivets).

40 tons of paint.

1652 steps to the top.

In 1200, Philippe August built the Louvre fortress on the north bank of the Seine. Rebuilt in the mid-16th century for use as a royal palace, the Louvre became the residence of the King.

The Louvre began its career as a royal museum accessible to the public in 1793, when the doors of the Grande Galerie were opened to visitors.

In 1988, the president François Mitterrand decided to devote the entire palace to the museum and asked to I.M. Pei to add a glass pyramid to the palace courtyard.

Today the Louvre Museum is the world's largest museum.

Construction of Notre-Dame de Paris began in 1163 during the reign of Louis VII. Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone.

Construction was completed roughly 200 years later in about 1345. During its history, Notre Dame has been the site of numerous official and other ceremonial occasions. These include:

1239 The Crown of Thorns placed in the Cathedral by St.Louis during the construction of Sainte-Chapelle.

1302 Philip the Fair opens the first States General.

1430 Henri VI of England is crowned. Mary Stuart becomes Queen of France after her marriage to François II, and is crowned.

1572 Marguerite of Valoi is married to the Huguenot Henri of Navarre here.

2 December 1804 After the anointing by Pius VII, Napoléon seizes the crown from the pontiff and crowns first himself, then Josephine.

26 August 1944 The Te Deum Mass celebrates the liberation of Paris.

12 November 1970 The Requiem Mass of General de Gaulle.

31 May 1980 After the Magnificat of this day, Pope John Paul II celebrates Mass on the parvis in front of the Cathedral.

Life never sleeps in the capital city of France- Paris. The City of Lovers or the City of Lights, the city of Paris is exceptional for it has not just one but a multitude of attractions that leave each and every visitor bizarre. The aura of the city is such that the visitors are left spell bound. The city is so rich in its exotic and prized possessions that it becomes difficult to explore the entire city within a few days.

From art to glamour, from the mystifying Eiffel Tower to the stunning Seine River, the wondrous city of Paris has it all. When we talk about the city’s art and architecture, Paris has some of the coveted monuments in the world. For instance the Napoleon’s eminent ‘Arch of Triumph’ (a piece of architecture that ascends the streets); the Square of Peace (known for its huge statues and fountains) and the wonderful pillar from Egypt called the Obelisk of Luxor. The Eiffel Tower has its own tale.

Counted amongst one of the wonders of the world, the tower is 986 feet tall and weighs 700 tons.

Paris is endowed with a plethora of small regions that contribute to the pleasing diversity of this place. To name a few in this regard -The Le Marais Region in Paris speaks of the rich history and tradition of the city. Marais, the land where the King Henry II took his last breath, is the home for some of the most archaic French buildings. The Musee Carnavalet museum has many archaeological discoveries along with breathtaking historical paintings, sculptures etc. Other eminent museums include - The Musee Cognaq Jay, The Musee de la Serrure Briccard, Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature (famous for stone age weapons) and last but not the least The Musee Picasso that has the worlds largest number of Picasso paintings.

The Jewish Quarter that nestled in the Marais region and that familiarizes you with the Jewish customs and traditions has always been an apple of every visitor’s eyes.

The La Quarter region of Paris is a paradigm of unity and diversity. This is because people from all castes and creed inhabit the place. There is round the clock activity with plenty of markets, restaurants, gardens, parlors etc. in this ancient region that has streets of the Roman era.

Not to be overlooked is the popular Montmartre region of Paris. The area is bedecked by the Sacre Coeur Church, that has almost scaled to the height of the Eiffel Tower. The place is also more often visited for it’s being the land of illustrious artists like Zola, Van Gogh, Turgeney and Degas. Apart form this, the Montmarte region has an exclusive cemetery where the great souls of Degas, Stendhal, La Golie etc. lie in peace. There is also the famous The Musee de Montmartre where people like Renior, Dufy and Suzanne Valada had resided.

But this isn’t all. The Notre Dame Cathedral at the Notre Dame region is worth looking. The ancient cathedral that is an epitome of love also has an underground crypt and a small museum for the visitors.

A outstanding and enthralling place nestled in the city of Paris is the Louvre Museum. This museum has some of the world’s most prized sculptures, paintings, utensils and other antiques. If there is the globally treasured Mona Lisa of Leonardo Da Vinci, there are also the two giant winged bulls that long ago used to guard the palace of Sragon II and the Hammurabi Code.

Other antiquities from Babylon, Mesopotamia, Sumeria etc. can also be seen. Amongst the several bedazz-ling galleries like Prints and Drawings Gallery, arts gallery etc. the sculpture gallery is also garlanded by the bewitching Michaelangelo Courtyard. On the whole, the Louvre Museum is a spectacular place to stop at.

The authentic magnum opus of art maestros like Renoir, Sisely, Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Degas and Pissaro can also be gazed at the Musee d’Orsay museum that also has some exclusive primitive sculptures.

Also to be seen are the delightful gardens in Paris. For instance, The Rond-Point, The Grand Palais, the Petit Palais etc. being some of them.

However, one falls short of words and ink to appraise and express the brilliance and magnificence of the unusual and wonderful city Paris, the charm and charisma of which carries the potential to raise someone from the dead.