Central Western Europe French Republic France Ile-de-France Paris A popular landmark in the centre of the city is the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. For over 800 years, Notre Dame has been France's literal and metaphorical center. The Gothic treasure has served as the scene of major events in history, and as a trove of priceless heritage. Notre Dame de Paris August 2012 The cathedral suffered desecration during the radical phase of the French Revolution in the 1790s, when much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. Notre Dame de Paris was among the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress (arched exterior supports). Since its construction at the end of the 12th century, the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has been a cherished monument of French cultural heritage. Construction of the sandstone cathedral commenced in the late 12th century. Historians estimate that building works begun in 1163. Nearly two centuries later, it was finished in 1345. The original spire, installed in 1250, was taken down five centuries later. A comprehensive reconstruction and renovations began in the mid-19th century and a new spire was erected in 1860. Despite the renovations, some parts of the structure, including some of the numerous oak beams that constituted its inner structure, were original and thus over 800 years old. Much of contemporary Paris is the result of the vast mid-19th century urban remodelling. For centuries, the city had been a labyrinth of narrow streets and half-timber houses, but, beginning with Haussman's advent, entire quarters were leveled to make way for wide avenues lined with neo-classical stone buildings of bourgeoisie standing. Most of this 'new' Paris is the Paris we see today. France Paris August 2012. The Hotel de Ville in Paris, is the building housing the city's local administration, standing on the Place de l'Hotel-de-Ville, Esplanade de la Liberation in the 4th arrondissement. It has been the headquarters of the municipality of Paris since 1357. It serves multiple functions, housing the local government council, since 1977 the Mayor of Paris and her cabinet, and also serves as a venue for large receptions. The Place des Vosges, originally Place Royale, is the oldest planned square in Paris. It is located in the Marais district, and it straddles the dividing-line between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of Paris. It was a fashionable and expensive square to live in during the 17th and 18th centuries, and one of the central reasons for the fashionable nature of Le Marais among the Parisian nobility. France Paris, Les Marais. ART-work, Les Marais, Paris august 2012. Centre Georges Pompidou Paris 2012 Centre Georges Pompidou is a complex in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, near Les Halles, rue Montorgueil and the Marais. The Centre Pompidou was designed in the style of high-tech architecture, by Italian architect Renzo Piano, British architect Richard Rogers and Italian architect Gianfranco Franchini, assisted by Ove Arup & Partners. The project was awarded to this team in an architectural design competition, whose results were announced in 1971. Le Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements) is a trendy Right Bank district. It is architecturally very well preserved, and some of the oldest houses and buildings of Paris can be found there. It is a very culturally open place. It is also known for its Chinese, Jewish and gay communities. The neighbourhood has experienced a growing gay presence since the 1980s, as evidenced by the existence of many gay cafes, nightclubs, cabarets and shops. These establishments are mainly concentrated in the southwestern portion of the Marais, many on or near the streets Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie and rue des Archives. The Marais is now one of Paris' main localities for art galleries. Following its rehabilitation, it has become a fashionable district, home to trendy restaurants, fashion, and hype galleries. The Eiffel Tower august 2012 The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars. The tower is 324 metres tall. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Constructed from 1887 to 1889 as the entrance to the 1889 World's Fair, it was initially criticised by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design. But it has become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world: 6.91 million people ascended it in 2015. Paris Ile-de-France Landmarks The Opera Bastille is a modern opera house in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. Inaugurated in 1989 as part of President Francois Mitterrand's Grands Travaux, it became the main facility of the Paris National Opera, France's principal opera company, alongside the older Palais Garnier; most opera performances are shown at the Bastille along with some ballet performances and symphony concerts, while Palais Garnier presents a mix of opera and ballet performances. The Palais Garnier (French: Garnier Palace) or Opera Garnier, is a opera house at the Place de l'Opera in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. It was built for the Paris Opera from 1861 to 1875 at the behest of Emperor Napoleon III. The Place Vendome, earlier known as Place Louis-le-Grand, and also as Place Internationale, is a square in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, located to the north of the Tuileries Gardens. Napoleon erected the original column, modelled after Trajan's Column, to celebrate the victory of Austerlitz. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacre-Coeur Basilica, is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica in Paris, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Sacre-Coeur Basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. It is a popular landmark, and the second-most visited monument in Paris. Montmartre is primarily known for its artistic history, the white-domed Basilica of the Sacre-Coeur on its summit, and as a nightclub district. Moulin Rouge, close to Montmartre in the Paris district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement, it is marked by the red windmill on its roof. It is best known as the birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. Chez Michou 80 Rue des Martyrs Paris Chez Michou, 80 Rue des Martyrs, Paris. Chez Michou, 80 Rue des Martyrs, Paris. Chez Michou, 80 Rue des Martyrs, Paris. Chez Michou, 80 Rue des Martyrs, Paris. Chez Michou, 80 Rue des Martyrs, Paris. Chez Michou, 80 Rue des Martyrs, Paris. Chez Michou, 80 Rue des Martyrs, Paris. Chez Michou, 80 Rue des Martyrs, Paris. Chez Michou, 80 Rue des Martyrs, Paris. Chez Michou, 80 Rue des Martyrs, Paris. Chez Michou, 80 Rue des Martyrs, Paris. A sunday afternoon in a banlieue august 2012 Paris, a sunday afternoon in a banlieue, august 2012. Paris, a sunday afternoon in a banlieue, august 2012. Paris, a sunday afternoon in a banlieue, august 2012. Paris, a sunday afternoon in a banlieue, august 2012. The Louvre Museum Paris august 2012 The Musee du Louvre is one of the world's largest museums, and a historic monument. A central landmark of Paris, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement. The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace (Palais du Louvre) which began as a fortress built in the late 12th century under Philip II. Divided among eight departments, these collections feature works admired throughout the globe, including the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo. The Louvre is currently the world's most visited museum. The Louvre Palace was altered frequently throughout the Middle Ages. In the 14th century, Charles V converted the building into a residence and in 1546, Francis I (Francois 1er ) renovated the site in French Renaissance style. Francis acquired what would become the nucleus of the Louvre's holdings, his acquisitions including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. In 1692, the building was occupied by the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres and the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, which in 1699 held the first of a series of salons. In 1682, Louis XIV chose the Palace of Versailles for his household, leaving the Louvre primarily as a place to display the royal collection, including, from 1692, a collection of antique sculpture. The museum opened on 10 August 1793 with an exhibition of 537 paintings, the majority of the works being royal and confiscated church property. The collection was increased under Napoleon and the museum was renamed Musee Napoleon, but after his abdication many works seized by his armies were returned to their original owners.