Ten Secret Attractions in the 1st Arrondissement
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Ten secret attractions in the 1st arrondissement.
Explore ten secret attractions in the 1st Arrondissement. Tourists and locals alike are continuously seduced by this area, with a mixture of enchanting, historic attractions and secret, hidden gems. From museums and churches to gardens and streets lined with boutiques, you’ll be spoiled for choice in this district.
Ten Secret Attractions in The 1st Arrondissement
“La première” is credited as being a component of the original heart of the City of Light. It is believed to have been inhabited by the Parisii, a small Celtic tribe from around 2000 years ago. Subsequently, French royals chose to settle here also. They brought with them extravagant palaces and sprawling gardens. Nowadays, the 1st Arrondissement takes up a large portion of tourists’ to-do lists. They flock to famous attractions like the Louvre Museum to catch a glimpse of the esteemed Mona Lisa. Many seem to miss some of the area’s less populated and more secret sights. Through this blog post we’ll uncover ten of the 1st Arrondissement’s secret attractions!
Musée Du Louvre – 75001, Paris
This museum certainly portrays the “Royal” aspect of Paris. French kings and queens once used this enormous Renaissance palace and was constructed as a protective fortress by King Philip II and completed in 1202. However, the building has been modified since it was built and now houses thousands of different works of art which have a combined total value of at least 30 billion euros!
The Louvre is also deceptively big.The museum itself is not necessarily a secret attraction, but some of its contents may be. It would take you 100 days to view every single painting inside, and that would only allow you time to spend 30 seconds admiring each one. This museum also represents a huge part of French artistic history and over 65% of the works are credited to French artists. Visited by 15,000 tourists each day, the Louvre is a pillar of cultural significance to those exploring the city. The museum offers guided tours to help you make the most of your visit. The general advice is to bypass the extremely famous works of art and head for some of the quieter exhibits.
https://www.louvre.fr/contacts
Arc De Triomphe Du Carrousel – Place Du Carrousel, 75001, Paris
Part of the Palais du Louvre but far less well-known is the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine built the Arc between 1806 and 1808 and was designed in the same year as the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile. They later constructed its sibling constructed at the end of the Champs Elysees. However, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is half the size and often overlooked. The Emperor of France, Napoleon I chose to commission this monument to pay homage to his own military successes and accomplishments. However, his success was short-lived, as the Battle of Waterloo defeated him.
There are numerous carvings etched into the stone of this statue, some including representations of Napoleon himself. In spite of that, in 1828 an addition was made to the structure, in the form of “peace” being pulled in a chariot in front of “victories”. This was included to celebrate the monarchy’s restoration after the exile of Napoleon. This is certainly a sight to see when visiting the 1st Arrondissement and provides another snapshot of French history.
Jardin Des Tuileries – Place De La Concorde, 75001 Paris
Above all, Jardin des Tuileries is a gorgeous spot along the Seine to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Take a book and escape the Parisian crowds, or go for a stroll and appreciate these gorgeous gardens. Originally, the gardens and Tuileries Palace were commissioned by Queen Catherine de Médici after the death of her husband because she longed for a grander royal residence.
Unfortunately, the palace itself was destroyed in 1871 by revolutionaries, but thankfully the gardens remained and continue to be enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. Also, The park is home to a great number of small cafés and food stands. They offer a fantastic, and affordable opportunity to relax in one of Paris’ “secret” spots. If you’re lucky enough to visit in November or December, you should definitely take advantage of one of the best Christmas markets that Paris has to offer (https://www.parisdiscoveryguide.com/paris-christmas-markets.html#tuileries).
Musée De L’orangerie – Jardin Des Tuileries, 75001, Paris.
Another must-see attraction of la première is the Musée de l’Orangerie. The building itself was established by Napoleon III and used to provide shelter to the citrus trees during the winter. However, in the modern day, the museum houses an impressive collection of artwork, including eight of Claude Monet’s beautiful Water Lily paintings. In addition, you can also admire artwork from the likes of Renoir, Rousseau and Picasso, alongside many others. Enjoy a gentle afternoon touring the gallery and taking in some magnificent architecture.
https://www.musee-orangerie.fr/fr
Pont Neuf – 75001, Paris
Stretching almost 800 kilometres, the Seine is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Paris. Accompanying this vast watery expanse are the 37 bridges which connect the two halves of the city. Pont Neuf is the oldest of these bridges and bridges the gap between Ile de la Cité and the Right and Left banks of Paris. It is particularly beautiful during the late afternoon, and the bridge is blanketed in gorgeous golden sunlight. The best view can be found from the Pont des Arts, or even by taking a river cruise on the Seine! What a way to spend a day off! Find out more about other interesting architectural constructions on the Seine.
Ten Secret Attractions in The 1st Arrondissement
Sainte-chapelle – 10 Boulevard Du Palais, 75001, Paris
Looking to explore some of the influential religious locations in Paris? Indeed, you should look no further than Sainte-Chapelle, a beautiful Gothic style royal chapel in the heart of the 1st Arrondissement! Inside, you’ll be able to admire the stunning stained glass windows. They are a great way to experience the best of French High Gothic architecture. Amazingly, each of the glass panels portray scenes from both the Old and the New Testament. See beautiful shades of crimson, blue, gold and purple.
King Louis “The Pious” IX constructed the chapel in 1241 to store and protect his generous assortment of religious relics. Visting this chapel in the evening for a candlelit concert is a great way to enjoy this historic location. Find a link to the concert timetable here: https://www.classictic.com/en/paris/la_sainte-chapelle/27/?fin=c8&r=1415275.
Molière Fountain – 28 Rue Molière, 75001, Paris
One of this area’s truly secret attractions is the Moliere Fountain. Although you will find it tucked away in a quiet corner, but this fountain is surprisingly ornately carved. It has a carved statue of its namesake, the 17th Century playwright Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (commonly known as Molière). Molière both lived and died in this area of Paris. Louis Visconti designed this extravagant fountain in the 1800s in his honour. Additionally, it is also the first public monument that depicted a person who was neither a royal nor honoured by the military. The streets alongside this statue are full of restaurants and cafés offering the opportunity to relax after a long day.
Les Halles
If you’re looking for a spot of retail therapy after a week of babysitting then Les Halles is the perfect option in the 1st Arrondissement. This area contains a huge shopping centre and numerous restaurants and cafés to enjoy a break from the historical attractions of Paris. As a matter of fact, this option is less “secret” than the others. Around 750,000 people use its metro and RER station every day – it has perfect transport links from anywhere in the city. Les Halles was first used a thousand years ago, and continues to be a hub for trade and market exchanges.
Ten Secret Attractions in The 1st Arrondissement
Rue Montorgueil Market Street – Rue Montorgueil, 75001, Paris
Adjacent to Les Halles, you can find a bustling street, offering an enormous choice of food and drink, at some of the district’s most loved restaurants. This would be a great way to unwind with fellow instructors at the end of a working week.
Rue Des Lombards Jazz Club – Rue Des Lombards, 75001, Paris
Finally, if you’re looking for a musical night out, Rue des Lombards is full of jazz bars and clubs. Listen to some up-and-coming Parisien musicians with your friends and experience a new type of music you may not have heard before.
Interested? Apply to become an instructor with Babylangues in Paris, and all these things will be right on your doorstep!
