Although Napoleon commissioned the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in 1806, it wasn't finished until 30 years later, well after his death. The Arc de Triomphe displays Napoleon and the names of major victories of the revolution around the top, while the inside of the arch displays other victories and famous generals. The top of the Arc de Triomphe is easily accessible to the public and offers a magnificent view of Paris and many of its landmarks.
The Louvre has over 300,000 works of art on display, including pieces by the masters of every period. There are also hundreds of works from ancient Rome and Greece as well as contemporary art. The French government provides an annual budget to the museum solely for the collection of new art, so its collection and displays change every year.
Started in 1163, the Cathedral of Notre Dame took almost 200 years to complete. It is a world famous tour de force of gothic architecture and is famous for its gargoyles, stained glass windows and its organ. The post as principle organist is one of the most highly sought positions for professional organists. Attending mass at the cathedral is popular not only with tourists but for local and national politicians as well.
The Eiffel Tower was originally intended to be a temporary structure, built for the world exhibition in 1889. Since then, however, it has become a national symbol of France and one of the most famous monuments in the world. Today it features two restaurants at different levels and elevators that will take the tourist all the way to the top, weather conditions permitting.
Built in the 1200s to house religious relics by King Louis IX, this relatively small gothic cathedral has become a very popular tourist destination. Massive stained glass windows almost completely encircle the upper level.
