Top 50 Things to do in Paris, France

What to do in Paris?

46 La Cinémathèque Française

La Cinémathèque Française  ParisThe Big Screen in Paris

The preservation and protection of French Culture is a serious business. The Cinémathèque Française is very serious about its role in this noble endeavor.

Frank Gehry

La Cinémathèque Française resides in a beautiful work of architecture. Designed by Frank Gehry, who also designed the Bilbao Guggenheim museum, the museum is a maze of light and dark intended to evoke a projection booth.

Something of interest

Within the the Cinémathèque Française are 18,000 posters, 10,500 costume and set drawings, 17,500 press reviews, 450,000 photos of shootings of more than 20,000 films and 6,000 directors, 18,700 books about movies, 467 periodic collections, 2,600 videos and 1,350 DVD's. There should be something that will interest you. You just have to find it. You might be interested in a free ticket to the movies with your Paris Pass

La Cinémathèque Française

 

47 Friday Night Skate

Get your skates on. Twenty odd people and thousands of their friends get rolling around Paris on Friday Night Skate at Tour Montparnasse. The variable 30km route costs nothing except for your time. Starts at 10pm. Finishes around 1am.

Friday Night Skate

 

48 Château Fontainebleau

Château Fontainebleau  ParisChâteau Fontainebleau - a reflective glory

The magnificent Château du Fontainebleau was the main summer residence of French Kings and of course Napoleon who described the Château de Fontainebleau as, "the work of centuries, the home of kings". He signed his first abdication here in 1814 and said 'goodbye I love you' to his army in its courtyard.

Stunning Château

As you might expect the interior of this stunning château is stunning. All manner of beautiful paintings, tapestries resulting in an overall feeling of being stunned. Château du Fontainebleau is 55 kilometres from the centre of Paris and free to get into with a Paris Pass.

More Château du Fontainebleau

 

49 Arènes de Lutèce left overs

Arènes de Lutèce was one of largest Roman amphitheaters in the world. It was built near the Roman town of Lutetia (or Paris). Entertainment used to include circuses, live animals performances, sporting contests, theater and, of course, gladiators! How much blood you wonder…or perhaps it is better not to.

Amphitheater

The amphitheater measured 41 meters (135 feet) in length, was surrounded by 2.5 meter (8 ft) walls and could accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. It met its demise around the end of the 3rd century, possibly from some of the descendents of its performers. The next stage of its life was death. Perhaps, befittingly, Arènes de Lutèce became a cemetery. In twelfth century the cemetery itself was buried.

Arènes de Lutèce left overs

 

50 Cimetière du Père-Lachaise

If you are famous do you live forever? Visit the cemetery of the famous dead and decide for yourself. Cimetière du Père-Lachaise is said to be one of the the most poetic of Paris's many attractions. Perched in a hidden corner of northeast Paris Cimetière du Père-Lachaise draws in the living from all over the globe. Apart from countless famous figures that are buried at Père Lachaise it is also an incomparably secretive, peaceful place, with its winding pathways, lush landscapes and impressive works of art.

Oscar Wilde

Some of the most popular dead people include The Doors lead singer Jim Morrison, whose tomb is kept constant vigil by fans. The French playwright Molière, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and Richard Wright. Climbing to the cemetery's summit to look down upon the lavishly designed crypts is recommended particularly if the weather is kind.

Cimetière du Père-Lachaise

Top 60 Things To Do In Paris

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