Discover Eiffel Tower’s history, controversies, and its role in Paris’s evolution on an immersive small group walking tour. Uncover the city’s contrasts and inspirations.
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Eiffel Tower - We will start our tour at the Eiffel Tower, I will be giving you a short overview of Gustave Eiffel. He was the engineer of the tower and of other famous monuments. The 30 years of his life were enriched by a history full of new developments. I will give you the key information on all of this. In this area there was once a massive and beautiful palace named Trocadero, you will find out more on this palace. From there we will walk towards the Champs de Mars Park, which is a green space surrounding the tower, at the same time you will learn about the events in this area.
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Ecole Militaire - Southeast of the Champ De Mars sits a vast complex of majestic buildings known as the École Militaire. This institution was conceived around the middle of the 18th century. King Louis XV created a school to train young cadets of the royal army. The school would go on to count among its students some of the most decorated officers and military men in French history. One of the École Militaire’s most famous students was Napoléon Bonaparte, who attended in 1784. About 200 senior officers join it each year at the end of a particularly selective process. It is high military education.
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Dome des Invalides - This chapel was built between 1677 and 1706 for the exclusive use of the royal family, and its interior decorations is the glory of Louis XIV . The Hotel des Invalides opened its doors to disabled war invalids as early as 1679.
In 1840, Napoleon had been buried on Saint Helena Island since 1821, and King Louis-Philippe decided to have his remains transferred to Les Invalides in Paris. Les Invalides in Paris is a collection of buildings and courtyards dedicated to the French military. It’s a must-see if you want to learn more about the fascinating military history of France. -
Musee Rodin - The Thinker, sculpture of a pensive male by French artist Auguste Rodin, one of his most well-known works. The most famous version is the 6-foot (1.8-metre) bronze statue, which lies in the gardens of the Rodin Museum in Paris. As we walk by the Rodin museum, heading towards the army museum, you will be able to see part of the Rodin thinker.
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Musee de l’Armee des Invalides - The army museum is currently the biggest military history museum in France and is among the leading military history museums in the world. This historic monument, owned by the Ministry of Defence, is a prestigious 17th century building ordered by King Louis XIV to house injured soldiers, convalescents and invalids. The army museum brings together numerous masterpieces of military art from medieval times to present day, a wide collection of weapons and armour, as well as portraits and battle scenes, historic souvenirs and army uniforms.
- Walking tour
Our tour will begin at the base of the Eiffel Tower. I’ll share key facts about this historic landmark, including its origin as the centerpiece of the 1889 World Fair (Exposition Universelle). I’ll transport you back to that era, describing the atmosphere and mood, considering the industrial advancements and the controversy and horror the Tower’s appearance sparked in the art world. It marked the dawn of a new era, showcasing the boldness of architecture. I’ll discuss how the Tower has witnessed and played a significant role in important events, both grand and tragic, in France’s history. You’ll understand why Paris is a city of contrasts: light and dark, old and new, past and present. Paris is monumental, not just in size but also in its rich architectural heritage. We’ll explore how this city has inspired artists and writers, drawing people from all walks of life. I’ll be available to answer your questions.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
