No city skyline in world compares to Paris. Anchored by the Eiffel Tower, the skyline of Paris has been documented in photographs, movies and stories. Probably the most photographed structure in the world, the Eiffel Tower joins the Cathedral at Notre Dame and many other historic buildings in Paris. Much of modern Paris was built during the Nineteenth Century.
The Eiffel Tower
No skyline picture of the great city of Paris, France would be complete without including the Eiffel Tower. The tower was built in 1889 to recognize the French Revolution for the Worlds Fair Universelle Exposition. The tower was scheduled to be demolished years after the exposition. In a successful attempt to save the tower from the scrap yard, the City of Paris gained controlled of the structure. Well over two million people a year visit the Eiffel Tower, making the towering landmark one of the most recognizable and popular tourist destinations in the world. Standing 1060 feet over the center of Paris, the tower features restaurants and observation decks that provide visitors with a striking panoramic view of the Paris skyline.
The Arc de Triomphe
Built to honor the heroes of military conflict, from the Napoleonic Wars to World War One, the Arc de Triomphe stands as one of the most photographed memorials in the world. Standing over 160 feet tall, the Arc de Triomphe, or Arch of Triumph, looms large against the Paris skyline. Like many similar war memorials around the world, the Arch stands guard over the tombs of unknown soldiers who fought and died in defense of France. Commissioned in 1806, the massive structure took decades to complete. One striking feature of the Arc de Triomphe is the eternal flame that honors the unknown. The flame at the Arch is said to have been the inspiration for the eternal flame that graces the grave of United States President John F. Kennedy.
The Cathedral at Notre Dame
The subject of famous literary work by Victor Hugo, the Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most photographed religious structures in the world. Subject of much story and lore, the Cathedral at Notre Dame is a classic example of French gothic architecture. Built in Twelfth Century, the cathedral the name translates to The Cathedral of Our Lady, a reference to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus according to Roman Catholic scripture.
The cathedral has been a focal point of celebration and controversy over the centuries and was in danger of being destroyed on more than occasion. As late as World War Two, there was a great fear that the occupying German Army would destroy the Cathedral along with much of Paris, as they retreated back to Germany. Even though France is a predominately Roman Catholic country, several periods of social unrest put the Cathedral at great risk. As early as the mid 1500s, the members of the Huguenots, a radical Protestant reform movement, are said to have damaged religious statuary in the Cathedral. During the French Revolution, anti-religious radicals reportedly plundered the Cathedral.
Fortunately, the Cathedral at Notre Dame survived and has undergone several renovation and preservation efforts that included saving the Cathedral’s beautiful stained glass windows.
Tour Montparnasse
The tallest building along the skyline of Paris, the Tour Montparnasse is a strikingly modern building. The buildings appearance is that of large, dark monolith that stands in contrast to the much of the Paris skyline. Towering above the neighboring low rise buildings, the Tour Montparnasse is nearly 690 feet tall. Completed in 1972, the building provides nearly 1 million square feet of office and commercial space. The building is also the tallest in France and features restaurants and an observation decks, giving visitors a spectacular view of Paris.
Tour Total
Another massive building on the Paris skyline is the Tour Total. Towering over 620 over the business district west of Paris, the Tour Total was completed in 1985. One of a cluster of buildings in the La Defense district, the gleaming glass exterior enhances the striking look of this true skyscraper.
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