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9 Things to do in Paris

 

It's not uncommon to come across a well-hidden oddity while strollingthrough Paris, whether it's a Chinese pagoda, a 400-year-old tree, or some mysterious medallions on the ground. There is usually a story behind it. Set out to find these little treasures hidden throughout the city. Plan a trip to thisbeautiful place in Paris with Tap Portugal Booking and spend your vacation here!

 

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1. The art nouveau building on Avenue Rapp
This striking, asymmetrical 6-story structure is located in the peaceful neighbourhood surrounding the Eiffel Tower. The design of the building, built in 1900 by architect Jules Lavirotte, is reminiscent of Gaud's work in Spain. Curved lines, dissimilar windows, unusual colours, and, the most beautiful mosaic cladding and a sculpted door (with a naughty detail) make this a true architectural masterpiece that one never tires of admiring.

2. The RATP’s fake façades
At first glance, these building facades appear to be identical to thosearound them, until you notice that the doors, windows, and balconies are all illusions. They were to keep the street's architectural continuity. To determine which façades are optical illusions, approach them and look: none of them have door code plaques or handles. Some are very realistic, such as the ones on Rue Lafayette, while others, such as the ones on Rue Quincampoix, are quite simple.

3. The oldest public clock in Paris
The clock in the Palais de la Cité, commissioned by Charles V in the14th century, features elaborate gold embellishment and has been keeping time since 1371. Over the centuries, the clock face has undergone changes and additions dictated by the wishes of various French monarchs. Look up at the clock between the two allegorical figures representing law and justice to see Henry II and Catherine de' Medici's initials, some Latin inscriptions, and the dates of the clock's restoration you can check Air Portugal.

4. The 5 Statues of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty, a symbol of the United States and, in particular,New York City, was actually created by the French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi and given to the United States by France to commemorate the two countries' friendship. The Liberty Island statue is the tallest, standing 97 metres tall (pedestal included), but there are five replicas throughout Paris, including one inside the breastplate of French sculptor César Baldaccini's centaur statue. Try to find all five, as well as the Flame of Liberty on Pont de l'Alma, which is an exact replica of the Statue of Liberty's flame.

5. The oldest house in Paris
The Marais is home to Paris's oldest house. It was in 1407 and is nowknown as Auberge Nicolas Flamel after its original owner, a famous alchemist who is with discovering how to turn lead into gold. It was a haven for the homeless for many years. In exchange for a few prayers, Flamel provided themwith a roof over their heads. The façade of the building bears witness to the house's long and fascinating history. The house at 3 Rue Volta was long thought to be the oldest in Paris until this one took over.

6. The smallest street in Paris
Rue des Degrés is Paris's smallest street, measuring only 5.75 m longand 3.30 m wide. In reality, it is nothing more than a 14-step staircase! The street, which was in 1634 after the demolition of Charles V's wall, played a
role in the French Revolution, as a commemorative plaque recalls: 'It was here that the Baron de Batz and his friends attempted to enable Louis XVI's escape on the morning of 21 January 1793.' It is now a painted little street with street art murals.

7. An Asian pagoda
It is quite surprising to see a building in the Chinese architecturalstyle right in the heart of Paris's fashionable 8th arrondissement. Ching Tsai Loo, an eccentric art dealer of Chinese origin, decided to transform a classic Parisian townhouse into a Chinese pagoda to house a private museum. He delegated the employment to architect François Bloch throughout 1925. This house, with its curved tile roof and red façade, is now a listed monument and one of the area's main attractions, a century later.

8. The most artistic street
Don't miss the area's street art hotspot, Rue Dénoyez, if you'reexploring the Belleville district. Street artists express themselves all along this 150-meter-long street, where art events are held. Massive murals, graffiti, tags, brightly coloured flowerpots... and, because street art is changing, you'll see something new every time you visit.


9. The Arènes de Lutèce
The Arènes de Lutèce, built in the first century AD after the Romanconquest of Lutetia, as Paris was then known, is the city's earliest relic. They are now a place for people to relax, but in Roman times they were a
theatre and arena that could hold up to 12,000 people. This architectural treasure was in the nineteenth century but was thanks to a successful petition spearheaded by Victor Hugo. The land of Paris is well connected with How to tap portugal flight changes so bookyour flight ticket now.

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