Did You Know?

Did you know that Paris is known for its café culture? The city is famous for its numerous charming sidewalk cafes where people can relax, enjoy a cup of coffee, and soak in the atmosphere. The café culture in Paris has been an integral part of the city's social life and has inspired many famous writers, artists, and intellectuals throughout history.

Did you know that Paris is home to the Louvre Museum, one of the largest and most visited art museums in the world? However, the Louvre wasn't always a museum. It was initially built as a fortress in the 12th century, then transformed into a royal palace before being opened to the public as a museum in 1793.

Did you know that Paris is known as the "City of Light"? This nickname doesn't refer to the city's abundance of streetlights but instead to its historical status as a center of enlightenment and education during the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century.

Did you know that the Eiffel Tower, one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris, was initially built as a temporary structure for the 1889 World's Fair? It was intended to stand for just 20 years before being dismantled. However, it gained immense popularity and was saved from demolition, eventually becoming a beloved symbol of the city.

Did you know that Paris has an extensive underground tunnel network known as the Catacombs? These tunnels house the remains of approximately six million people. The Catacombs were created in the late 18th century to address the issue of overcrowded cemeteries in the city.

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Sacre Coeur Paris: A Magestic Basilica Atop Montmarte

Spectacular view of the white-domed Basilica of the Sacre Coeur on Montmartre hill

This Catholic basilica sits at the apex of the Montmartre knoll area in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, north of downtown on the right bank of the Seine. Sacre Coeur is the highest point in Paris, visible far and wide thanks to its white dome, resembling a solid cloud in the sky.

An old, long-established neighbourhood, Montmartre is a hugely popular site for tourists, many of which also visit the “statement” basilica. Consecrated in 1909, Sacre Coeur is known for its rather garish decor. While most houses of God are decked out with a few refinements, Sacre Coeur is famous for being over the top with an abundance of gold mosaic on its interior.

When we were there, a tourist said the interior reminded him of Liberace’s living room in Las Vegas. Despite its overkill, Sacre Coeur (sacred heart) has a beautiful, sweeping terrace with excellent views of Paris.