Some must go places in Paris.
Attractions
A Legacy of Healing:
Val-de-Grâce takes its name from the Val-de-Grâce Military Hospital, a magnificent 17th-century building that served as a royal abbey before transforming into a prestigious medical institution. The hospital’s elegant dome and ornate architecture stand as a testament to its rich history, while its modern facilities continue to serve as a center of medical excellence. [Insert image of Val-de-Grâce Military Hospital].
A Haven for Knowledge Seekers:
Val-de-Grâce is a haven for students and scholars. The prestigious École Polytechnique, a renowned institution for science, engineering, and economics, calls this neighborhood home. Students from various universities and institutes add a youthful energy to the district, creating a vibrant intellectual atmosphere. Charming cafes with outdoor terraces become hotspots for lively discussions and late-night study sessions.
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A Parisian Oasis:
Despite its academic and historical significance, Val-de-Grâce offers a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The Jardin des Plantes, a botanical garden bordering the district, provides a tranquil haven with its diverse plant collections and serene atmosphere. [Insert image of Jardin des Plantes]. Scattered throughout the neighborhood are hidden courtyards, like the Cour aux Ernest and the Cour Pasteur, offering a delightful escape from the bustling streets.
A Foodie’s Paradise:
From traditional French bistros to international restaurants, Val-de-Grâce caters to every culinary desire. Students flock to affordable cafes and bakeries, while trendy restaurants offer upscale dining experiences. The neighborhood’s diverse cultural influences are reflected in its cuisine, allowing you to embark on a global culinary adventure without leaving Paris.
A Cultural Tapestry:
Beyond its academic and scientific focus, Val-de-Grâce boasts a vibrant cultural scene. Catch a captivating performance at the Théâtre du Rond-Point, a renowned theater known for its innovative productions. Explore hidden art galleries showcasing works by emerging artists, or delve into the fascinating world of science at the Musée Curie, dedicated to the legacy of the Nobel Prize-winning scientists Pierre and Marie Curie.
Planning Your Val-de-Grâce Adventure:
- Getting There: Val-de-Grâce is easily accessible by metro (Luxembourg station or Port-Royal station).
- Where to Stay: For a budget-friendly stay close to student life, consider youth hostels or AirBnBs in the area. For a more luxurious experience, explore boutique hotels near the Jardin des Plantes.
- Must-See Attractions: Don’t miss the Val-de-Grâce Military Hospital, the Jardin des Plantes, and a performance at the Théâtre du Rond-Point.
- Hidden Gems: Discover the independent bookstores, cafes tucked away on side streets, and explore the charming courtyards like the Cour aux Ernest for a local Parisian experience.
Val-de-Grâce is a captivating Parisian neighborhood where history, science, and a youthful spirit intertwine. So, wander its charming streets, embrace the intellectual atmosphere, and discover the hidden gems that await in this delightful Parisian district!
Ready to explore Val-de-Grâce?
- Browse our collection of short films and documentaries to discover the fascinating history of the Val-de-Grâce Military Hospital and the scientific legacy of the neighborhood.
- Check out our “Parisian Student Guide” for recommendations on budget-friendly cafes, bookstores, and cultural activities in the Val-de-Grâce district.
- Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive content and recommendations for experiencing the unique blend of history, science, and student life in Val-de-Grâce.
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The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica and often simply Sacré-Cœur (French: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, pronounced [sakʁe kœʁ]), is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica in Paris, France, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Sacré-Cœur 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.[1] Sacré-Cœur Basilica has maintained a perpetual adoration of the Holy Eucharist since 1885. The basilica was designed by Paul Abadie.[2] Construction began in 1875 and was completed in 1914. The basilica was consecrated after the end of World War I in 1919.
It is considered as both a political and cultural monument, representing a national penance for the defeat of France in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War and for the actions of the Paris Commune of 1871. Sacré-Cœur Basilica was built in a neighborhood which witnessed significant events by the Paris Commune of 1871.
Notre-Dame de Paris (French: [nɔtʁə dam də paʁi] (listen); meaning “Our Lady of Paris“), referred to simply as Notre-Dame,[a] is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité (an island in the Seine River), in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. The cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Several of its attributes set it apart from the earlier Romanesque style, particularly its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its enormous and colourful rose windows, and the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration.[5] Notre Dame also stands out for its musical components, notably its three pipe organs (one of which is historic) and its immense church bells.[6]
Construction of the cathedral began in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and was largely completed by 1260, though it was modified frequently in the centuries that followed. In the 1790s, during the French Revolution, Notre-Dame suffered extensive desecration; much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. In the 19th century, the coronation of Napoleon I and the funerals of many of the French Republic’s presidents took place at the cathedral.
The 1831 publication of Victor Hugo‘s novel Notre-Dame de Paris (known in English as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) inspired popular interest in the cathedral, which led to a major restoration project between 1844 and 1864, supervised by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. During World War II, after the Allies’ 1944 victory in Europe, the liberation of Paris was celebrated in Notre-Dame with the singing of the Magnificat. Beginning in 1963, the cathedral’s façade was cleaned of centuries of soot and grime. Another cleaning and restoration project was carried out between 1991 and 2000.[7]
The cathedral is one of the most widely recognized symbols of the city of Paris and the French nation. In 1805, it was awarded the honorary status of a minor basilica. As the cathedral of the archdiocese of Paris, Notre-Dame contains the cathedra of the archbishop of Paris (Michel Aupetit).
Approximately 12 million people visit Notre-Dame annually, making it the most visited monument in Paris.[8] The cathedral has long been renowned for its Lent sermons, a tradition founded in the 1830s by the Dominican Jean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire. In recent years, these sermons have increasingly often been given by leading public figures or government-employed academics.
Over time, the cathedral has gradually been stripped of many of its original decorations and artworks. However, the cathedral still contains several noteworthy examples of Gothic, Baroque, and 19th-century sculptures, a number of 17th- and early 18th-century altarpieces, and some of the most important relics in Christendom – including the Crown of Thorns, a sliver of the true cross and a nail from the true cross.
On 15 April 2019, while Notre-Dame was undergoing renovation and restoration, its roof caught fire and burned for about 15 hours. The cathedral sustained serious damage as a result. The flèche (the timber spirelet over the crossing) was destroyed, as was most of the lead-covered wooden roof above the stone vaulted ceiling.[2] Contamination of the site and the nearby environment with lead resulted.[9] After the fire, many of the proposals for restoration suggested modernizing the cathedral’s design, but the French National Assembly rejected this approach, enacting a law on 29 July 2019 that required the restoration to preserve the cathedral’s “historic, artistic and architectural interest”.[10] The task of stabilizing the building against possible collapse was completed in November 2020,[11] and reconstruction began in 2021. The government of France has said it hopes the reconstruction can be completed by Spring 2024, in time for the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[12][13] President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on 14 April 2021 that the cathedral site will be formally returned to the church on 15 April 2024, and that the first mass since the fire will be held in the cathedral nave on that day, even if the reconstruction has not been finished by then.[14]
The Eiffel Tower (/ˈaɪfəl/ EYE-fəl; French: tour Eiffel [tuʁ‿ɛfɛl] (listen)) is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower.
Locally nicknamed “La dame de fer” (French for “Iron Lady”), it was constructed from 1887 to 1889 as the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair and was initially criticized 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 recognizable structures in the world.[3] The Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument with an entrance fee in the world; 6.91 million people ascended it in 2015. The Tower was made a Monument historique in 1964 and named part of UNESCO World Heritage Site (“Paris, Banks of the Seins”) in 1991.[4]
The tower is 330 metres (1,083 ft) tall,[5] about the same height as an 81-storey building, and the tallest structure in Paris. Its base is square, measuring 125 metres (410 ft) on each side. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to become the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years until the Chrysler Building in New York City was finished in 1930. It was the first structure in the world to surpass both the 200-metre and 300-metre mark in height. Due to the addition of a broadcasting aerial at the top of the tower in 1957, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building by 5.2 metres (17 ft). Excluding transmitters, the Eiffel Tower is the second tallest free-standing structure in France after the Millau Viaduct.
The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second levels. The top level’s upper platform is 276 m (906 ft) above the ground – the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union. Tickets can be purchased to ascend by stairs or lift to the first and second levels. The climb from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the climb from the first level to the second. Although there is a staircase to the top level, it is usually accessible only by lift.