The Etoile metro station is named after this famous arch. As the world's largest triumphal arch, it was completed in 1833 at the behest of Napoleon I, in commemoration of his vast and glorious armies. Underneath it, France's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been located since 1920. It burns day and night in honor of soldiers killed in the two World Wars. The Arch is also the site where the annual Bastille Day (France's National celebration) Parade begins. Guests can examine the arch and, for a small admission fee, can tour a museum next-door that features interactive exhibits regarding the Arch's history.
Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile
32 Avenue Friedland
75008 Paris, France
01-40-68-35-88
Perhaps the most famous landmark in the city, the Eiffel Tower is just a short walk from the Etoile station. Guests can take a tour of the Tower and can climb to its heights for a small admission fee. Stair entrance tickets cost about four Euros, and elevator tickets (for those who would prefer to "slide effortlessly" to its heights) are about eight Euros. There are also a number of restaurants and souvenir shops located within the tower, and a visit can be as quick or as drawn out as guests choose. Still, as one of the most visited landmarks in the world, lines can sometimes become quite lengthy. There is also a one and a half hour guided tour, where a guide relates historical information about the Tower for an additional fee. Tours are given in English upon request.
Tour Eiffel
5 avenue Anatole France
Champ de Mars
75007 Paris
33-0-8-92-70-12-39
tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/
This theater, which literally means "The Theatre of the Round-About," was originally built in 1860. After being completely remodeled in 1995, it is now used as a venue for the modern and avant-garde plays of contemporary playwrights. The theater also houses a restaurant and tea shoppe known as Le Restaurant du Rond, where guests can grab a meal relaxing meal before or after a show. The restaurant's mascot is a gaping face with legs, and there is also a bar with massive couches. Here, guests are encouraged to "read, write, meet with friends, or enjoy a casual drink."
Theatre du Rond-Point
2 bis avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt
75008 Paris
restaurantdurondpoint.fr
Also located a short distance from Etoile station, this Paris aquarium is the newest in the city, featuring state-of-the art facilities and plenty of fish. In fact, over 9,000 fish and 26 sharks call the CineAqua home (well, not really, but they would if they could speak). Fish swim in the more than 40 million liters of water necessary to fill the CineAqua's tank, which is the largest in France. The Cineaqua also features short animated films and music produced on site on 16 high definition projection screens. Tickets include access to the aquarium, the art cinemas, and the opportunity for guests to view live feeding sessions. For human feeding sessions, a cafe and Japanese restaurant called Ozu are available on-site.
CineAqua
2 Avenue des Nations Unies
75116 Paris
Tel: 33 (0)1 40 69 23 23
www.cineaqua.com
