Landmarks
Arenes de Lutece
An ancient Roman theater, the only surviving above-ground ruins of the Gallo-Roman era in Paris ancient Lutetia, French Lutèce apart the nearby Thermes de Cluny. The theater could hold approximately 15,000 spectators and measures some 132 m x 100 m. Built sometime in the 2nd century AD, the location of the actor's dressing room, the platform of the stage and lapidary remains can still be seen. The remains were rediscovered in 1869, when new streets were being built - an excavation was subsequently ordered in 1883. The theater has been preserved as a quiet archaeological park removed from the bustle of Parisian streets
Panthéon
Originally conceived by Louis XV as a grand neo-Classical church honoring St. Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. After the Revolution, the building was converted into a mausoleum for the great philosophers, military, artists, scientists and heroes of the French Republic. Occupants of the crypt include Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Zola, the Curies and, most recently, Alexandre Dumas reinterred here in 2002. The view from the dome 206 steps is marvelous, check tour departure time at the information desk. A fascinating reconstruction of Foucault's Pendulum also hangs within the Panthéon.
Jardin des Plantes
The Paris Botanical Garden, founded as the royal medicinal garden in 1626 by King Louis XIII's doctor, contains over 10,000 species. The grounds also include a small zoo known as La Ménagerie, and the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, which includes the recently renovated Grande Galerie de l'Evolution where you can see thousands of naturalized animals from all over the world and the 'Galerie de paléontologie et d'anatomie comparée' same thing but with skeletons.
Museums and galleries
Musée Curie
Closed until end of 2012! This charming scientific museum preserves the offices and laboratories of Pierre and Marie Curie, pioneers in the discovery of radioactivity, their instruments, equipment and furniture arranged as it was during their critically important research. Guided tours in English available.
Musée de l'Institut du Monde Arabe
The building has a freely accessible rooftop which allows for a beautiful bird's-eye view of the northern half of Paris.
Musée du Moyen Age
Housed in a 15th century abbey, alongside 1st century Gallo-Roman baths, the museum has an extensive collection of medieval art and artifacts. Highlights include the medieval "Lady and the Unicorn" tapestries, a papal golden rose and the original heads from the facade of Notre Dame.
Religious buildings
Eglise Saint-Ãtienne-du-Mont
St. Geneviève was responsible for saving Paris from the Huns in 451 and her shrine in the church has been a popular place of pilgrimage ever since. The church as it stands dates from between 1492 and 1626 and is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. A unique feature is the Renaissance rood screen, the sole survivor in the city.
Eglise Saint Nicolas du Chardonnet
A controversial church serving as de facto headquarters of the arch-traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X, who occupied the church in 1977 and have ignored subsequent eviction orders.
Grande Mosquée de Paris
Founded in 1926, it was meant to show appreciation for Muslim help in fighting the Germans. The café serves excellent mint tea and North African food.