Paris
Paris, world capital of art and culture, gathers some of the most famous museums and monuments in the world. Like all the world's great capitals, Paris lives at a fast pace, by day, by night and especially at rush hours. Bear in mind that museums and monuments are often less crowded during the week. Sights that should not be missed include: The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Visit any of the many others according to your tastes and interests: the Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Marmottan and the Arab Institute are just a few. Essential Paris monuments are the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe or the Grande Arche de la Defense.
Caen
Founded during the Roman period, Caen developed to full splendor in the Renaissance. This can be seen from the Italian style Hôtel d'Escoville, or from half-timbered houses of the Quatrans or rue Saint Pierre or again from poet Malherbe's home. From then on, Caen became known as "Norman Athens" for the presence of "many fine wits". To discover the city, stroll through the streets and squares. In rue Ecuyère, rue Froide, rue Saint Martin, secret courtyards hide treasures of the past. Caen's other renaissance was during reconstruction after World War II, with exceptional city planning and a style of construction worth seeing. From Caen Memorial to Normandy Landing Beaches, the historical Battle of Normandy Trail awaits. Caen Memorial invites the visitor to embark on an exciting journey through history. Its unique Nobel Peace Gallery was built to encourage a better understanding of the Second World War and to deepen reflection on Peace and defence of Human Rights.
Amiens
Amiens is a historic city in northern France, fought over during the First and Second World Wars. The Battle of Amiens in 1918 led directly to the Armistice with Germany that ended the war. Visit Amiens Cathedral, an awe-inspiring Gothic Cathedral and World Heritage Site, and tour the town that was rebuilt after WWII.
Lille
Lille is the heart of the Pays du Nord, the northeast corner of France, and 138 mi/223 km northeast of Paris. West of this region is Normandy; east is Belgium.
Lille was once in Flanders (now part of Belgium), until the city was captured by Louis XIV in 1667 and made the capital of French Flanders. These days, it is the fourth-largest urban area in France after Paris, Marseille and Lyon. It has broad boulevards, monumental architecture and an impressive city center. Many of the streets are closed to traffic—it's a great place for strolling and window shopping.
Visit the old Flemish quarter, Palais des Beaux-Arts (Fine Arts Museum) featuring 15th- to 20th-century art, the impressive stock exchange with a 17th-century belfry and the well-preserved citadel. Two other museums of note are the Musee d'Art Moderne Lille-Metropole with its modern and contemporary works, and La Piscine Musee d'Art et d'Industrie featuring applied arts and sculpture.
A bit to the southwest of Lille is Arras, which has some fine examples of 17th- and 18th-century Flemish architecture (especially around the Grand-Place and the Place des Heroes). Note how the buildings' facades all come to a point at the top. While there, see the neoclassical cathedral. Climb the UNESCO-listed bell tower in the twin squares of Place des Heros and Grand'Place for a panoramic view of the area.
The port towns along the Channel are a mixed lot: Calais and Dunkerque (Dunkirk in English) have never really recovered from bombings in World War II, but Boulogne is graced by medieval city walls. If you have time, the countryside has some nice villages. Our favorites are St. Omer (typical French small town with an attractive central square) and Montreuil (an old market town with worn cobbled streets and shuttered buildings).
Brussels
Brussels's Upper and a Lower Town conjure up images of important buildings and long avenues and small, dark streets. Lower Town, the old Flemish quarter, contains the city's most famous sites, including its greatest landmark, Grand Place, and the Manneken Pis. It's also the location of around ten churches relatively close to each other; most of them from the Flemish Renaissance and Baroque periods. In Upper Town, you'll find King's palace, royal squares and various palaces from the eighteenth-century neo-classical Austrian period. The built-up business and residential areas are scrupulously broken up by frequent patches of green parks, which help account for the city's sedate, unfrenzied atmosphere. Around the city center are congregated many small, carefully laid-out parks that provide settings for statues and national monuments.
London
London is undoubtedly one of the world's finest cities. In addition to numerous monuments from its more glorious past, London is equally well-known for its pageantry and tradition. London has something for everyone - wide boulevards buzzing with excitement far into the night, quiet squares and explorable alleyways. Visit this famous city's parks, museums, galleries, monuments, abbeys and churches, skyscrapers and ruins, Georgian squares. Take in such events as the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower, or the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, or even one of the many theatrical productions. Some of the most exclusive shops are found along Oxford, Bond and Regent Streets. An old favorite and one of the world's premier institutions is Harrods - offering everything from Chanel suits and sliced salmon to caviar and even pets.
Paris, world capital of art and culture, gathers some of the most famous museums and monuments in the world. Like all the world's great capitals, Paris lives at a fast pace, by day, by night and especially at rush hours. Bear in mind that museums and monuments are often less crowded during the week. Sights that should not be missed include: The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Visit any of the many others according to your tastes and interests: the Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Marmottan and the Arab Institute are just a few. Essential Paris monuments are the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe or the Grande Arche de la Defense.
Founded during the Roman period, Caen developed to full splendor in the Renaissance. This can be seen from the Italian style Hôtel d'Escoville, or from half-timbered houses of the Quatrans or rue Saint Pierre or again from poet Malherbe's home. From then on, Caen became known as "Norman Athens" for the presence of "many fine wits". To discover the city, stroll through the streets and squares. In rue Ecuyère, rue Froide, rue Saint Martin, secret courtyards hide treasures of the past. Caen's other renaissance was during reconstruction after World War II, with exceptional city planning and a style of construction worth seeing. From Caen Memorial to Normandy Landing Beaches, the historical Battle of Normandy Trail awaits. Caen Memorial invites the visitor to embark on an exciting journey through history. Its unique Nobel Peace Gallery was built to encourage a better understanding of the Second World War and to deepen reflection on Peace and defence of Human Rights.
Amiens is a historic city in northern France, fought over during the First and Second World Wars. The Battle of Amiens in 1918 led directly to the Armistice with Germany that ended the war. Visit Amiens Cathedral, an awe-inspiring Gothic Cathedral and World Heritage Site, and tour the town that was rebuilt after WWII.
Lille is the heart of the Pays du Nord, the northeast corner of France, and 138 mi/223 km northeast of Paris. West of this region is Normandy; east is Belgium.
Lille was once in Flanders (now part of Belgium), until the city was captured by Louis XIV in 1667 and made the capital of French Flanders. These days, it is the fourth-largest urban area in France after Paris, Marseille and Lyon. It has broad boulevards, monumental architecture and an impressive city center. Many of the streets are closed to traffic—it's a great place for strolling and window shopping.
Visit the old Flemish quarter, Palais des Beaux-Arts (Fine Arts Museum) featuring 15th- to 20th-century art, the impressive stock exchange with a 17th-century belfry and the well-preserved citadel. Two other museums of note are the Musee d'Art Moderne Lille-Metropole with its modern and contemporary works, and La Piscine Musee d'Art et d'Industrie featuring applied arts and sculpture.
A bit to the southwest of Lille is Arras, which has some fine examples of 17th- and 18th-century Flemish architecture (especially around the Grand-Place and the Place des Heroes). Note how the buildings' facades all come to a point at the top. While there, see the neoclassical cathedral. Climb the UNESCO-listed bell tower in the twin squares of Place des Heros and Grand'Place for a panoramic view of the area.
The port towns along the Channel are a mixed lot: Calais and Dunkerque (Dunkirk in English) have never really recovered from bombings in World War II, but Boulogne is graced by medieval city walls. If you have time, the countryside has some nice villages. Our favorites are St. Omer (typical French small town with an attractive central square) and Montreuil (an old market town with worn cobbled streets and shuttered buildings).
Brussels's Upper and a Lower Town conjure up images of important buildings and long avenues and small, dark streets. Lower Town, the old Flemish quarter, contains the city's most famous sites, including its greatest landmark, Grand Place, and the Manneken Pis. It's also the location of around ten churches relatively close to each other; most of them from the Flemish Renaissance and Baroque periods. In Upper Town, you'll find King's palace, royal squares and various palaces from the eighteenth-century neo-classical Austrian period. The built-up business and residential areas are scrupulously broken up by frequent patches of green parks, which help account for the city's sedate, unfrenzied atmosphere. Around the city center are congregated many small, carefully laid-out parks that provide settings for statues and national monuments.
London is undoubtedly one of the world's finest cities. In addition to numerous monuments from its more glorious past, London is equally well-known for its pageantry and tradition. London has something for everyone - wide boulevards buzzing with excitement far into the night, quiet squares and explorable alleyways. Visit this famous city's parks, museums, galleries, monuments, abbeys and churches, skyscrapers and ruins, Georgian squares. Take in such events as the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower, or the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, or even one of the many theatrical productions. Some of the most exclusive shops are found along Oxford, Bond and Regent Streets. An old favorite and one of the world's premier institutions is Harrods - offering everything from Chanel suits and sliced salmon to caviar and even pets.
