Lens
The little-known town of Lens, France, located about 137 mi/220 km north of Paris, became famous in late 2012 when the Louvre-Lens opened there as the sister to the Louvre, arguably the world's most famous art museum.
The Louvre, known for being the home to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and the I.M. Pei-designed glass-and-steel pyramid at the entrance, has been around since its establishment during the French Revolution in the late 1700s.
The nation decided about a decade ago to build a sister museum in another region of France. Lens was an unlikely choice to become the site of the next "museum of museums," as the Louvre is sometimes called.
Lens was chosen in part for how much it has suffered—through both World Wars, the demise of the mining industry and now as one of the poorest towns in France.
The region, the Nord-Pas de Calais, is reputed for its cultural vitality and the density of its museum networks, and is ideally situated at the crossroads of Europe, near Belgium, Great Britain and Germany.
Built on the site of a former coal mine, the building was designed by Japanese architects from Sanaa, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. They created a low structure with five brushed steel wings shooting off a glass central entry point. http://www.louvrelens.fr.
With respect to reaching Lens, the TGV from Dunkirque to Paris has a stop at Lens, and there are regular buses that run from Lille. There are quite a few hotels in the center of Lens, so it works as an overnight stay or a day trip from Lille or other parts of Normandy.
Paris
Paris, world capital of art and culture, gathers some of the most famous museums and monuments in the world. Like all the world's great capitals, Paris lives at a fast pace, by day, by night and especially at rush hours. Bear in mind that museums and monuments are often less crowded during the week. Sights that should not be missed include: The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Visit any of the many others according to your tastes and interests: the Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Marmottan and the Arab Institute are just a few. Essential Paris monuments are the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe or the Grande Arche de la Defense.
Caen
Founded during the Roman period, Caen developed to full splendor in the Renaissance. This can be seen from the Italian style Hôtel d'Escoville, or from half-timbered houses of the Quatrans or rue Saint Pierre or again from poet Malherbe's home. From then on, Caen became known as "Norman Athens" for the presence of "many fine wits". To discover the city, stroll through the streets and squares. In rue Ecuyère, rue Froide, rue Saint Martin, secret courtyards hide treasures of the past. Caen's other renaissance was during reconstruction after World War II, with exceptional city planning and a style of construction worth seeing. From Caen Memorial to Normandy Landing Beaches, the historical Battle of Normandy Trail awaits. Caen Memorial invites the visitor to embark on an exciting journey through history. Its unique Nobel Peace Gallery was built to encourage a better understanding of the Second World War and to deepen reflection on Peace and defence of Human Rights.
Amiens
Amiens is a historic city in northern France, fought over during the First and Second World Wars. The Battle of Amiens in 1918 led directly to the Armistice with Germany that ended the war. Visit Amiens Cathedral, an awe-inspiring Gothic Cathedral and World Heritage Site, and tour the town that was rebuilt after WWII.
Brussels
Brussels's Upper and a Lower Town conjure up images of important buildings and long avenues and small, dark streets. Lower Town, the old Flemish quarter, contains the city's most famous sites, including its greatest landmark, Grand Place, and the Manneken Pis. It's also the location of around ten churches relatively close to each other; most of them from the Flemish Renaissance and Baroque periods. In Upper Town, you'll find King's palace, royal squares and various palaces from the eighteenth-century neo-classical Austrian period. The built-up business and residential areas are scrupulously broken up by frequent patches of green parks, which help account for the city's sedate, unfrenzied atmosphere. Around the city center are congregated many small, carefully laid-out parks that provide settings for statues and national monuments.
London
London is undoubtedly one of the world's finest cities. In addition to numerous monuments from its more glorious past, London is equally well-known for its pageantry and tradition. London has something for everyone - wide boulevards buzzing with excitement far into the night, quiet squares and explorable alleyways. Visit this famous city's parks, museums, galleries, monuments, abbeys and churches, skyscrapers and ruins, Georgian squares. Take in such events as the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower, or the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, or even one of the many theatrical productions. Some of the most exclusive shops are found along Oxford, Bond and Regent Streets. An old favorite and one of the world's premier institutions is Harrods - offering everything from Chanel suits and sliced salmon to caviar and even pets.
The little-known town of Lens, France, located about 137 mi/220 km north of Paris, became famous in late 2012 when the Louvre-Lens opened there as the sister to the Louvre, arguably the world's most famous art museum.
The Louvre, known for being the home to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and the I.M. Pei-designed glass-and-steel pyramid at the entrance, has been around since its establishment during the French Revolution in the late 1700s.
The nation decided about a decade ago to build a sister museum in another region of France. Lens was an unlikely choice to become the site of the next "museum of museums," as the Louvre is sometimes called.
Lens was chosen in part for how much it has suffered—through both World Wars, the demise of the mining industry and now as one of the poorest towns in France.
The region, the Nord-Pas de Calais, is reputed for its cultural vitality and the density of its museum networks, and is ideally situated at the crossroads of Europe, near Belgium, Great Britain and Germany.
Built on the site of a former coal mine, the building was designed by Japanese architects from Sanaa, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. They created a low structure with five brushed steel wings shooting off a glass central entry point. http://www.louvrelens.fr.
With respect to reaching Lens, the TGV from Dunkirque to Paris has a stop at Lens, and there are regular buses that run from Lille. There are quite a few hotels in the center of Lens, so it works as an overnight stay or a day trip from Lille or other parts of Normandy.
Paris, world capital of art and culture, gathers some of the most famous museums and monuments in the world. Like all the world's great capitals, Paris lives at a fast pace, by day, by night and especially at rush hours. Bear in mind that museums and monuments are often less crowded during the week. Sights that should not be missed include: The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Visit any of the many others according to your tastes and interests: the Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Marmottan and the Arab Institute are just a few. Essential Paris monuments are the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe or the Grande Arche de la Defense.
Founded during the Roman period, Caen developed to full splendor in the Renaissance. This can be seen from the Italian style Hôtel d'Escoville, or from half-timbered houses of the Quatrans or rue Saint Pierre or again from poet Malherbe's home. From then on, Caen became known as "Norman Athens" for the presence of "many fine wits". To discover the city, stroll through the streets and squares. In rue Ecuyère, rue Froide, rue Saint Martin, secret courtyards hide treasures of the past. Caen's other renaissance was during reconstruction after World War II, with exceptional city planning and a style of construction worth seeing. From Caen Memorial to Normandy Landing Beaches, the historical Battle of Normandy Trail awaits. Caen Memorial invites the visitor to embark on an exciting journey through history. Its unique Nobel Peace Gallery was built to encourage a better understanding of the Second World War and to deepen reflection on Peace and defence of Human Rights.
Amiens is a historic city in northern France, fought over during the First and Second World Wars. The Battle of Amiens in 1918 led directly to the Armistice with Germany that ended the war. Visit Amiens Cathedral, an awe-inspiring Gothic Cathedral and World Heritage Site, and tour the town that was rebuilt after WWII.
Brussels's Upper and a Lower Town conjure up images of important buildings and long avenues and small, dark streets. Lower Town, the old Flemish quarter, contains the city's most famous sites, including its greatest landmark, Grand Place, and the Manneken Pis. It's also the location of around ten churches relatively close to each other; most of them from the Flemish Renaissance and Baroque periods. In Upper Town, you'll find King's palace, royal squares and various palaces from the eighteenth-century neo-classical Austrian period. The built-up business and residential areas are scrupulously broken up by frequent patches of green parks, which help account for the city's sedate, unfrenzied atmosphere. Around the city center are congregated many small, carefully laid-out parks that provide settings for statues and national monuments.
London is undoubtedly one of the world's finest cities. In addition to numerous monuments from its more glorious past, London is equally well-known for its pageantry and tradition. London has something for everyone - wide boulevards buzzing with excitement far into the night, quiet squares and explorable alleyways. Visit this famous city's parks, museums, galleries, monuments, abbeys and churches, skyscrapers and ruins, Georgian squares. Take in such events as the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower, or the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, or even one of the many theatrical productions. Some of the most exclusive shops are found along Oxford, Bond and Regent Streets. An old favorite and one of the world's premier institutions is Harrods - offering everything from Chanel suits and sliced salmon to caviar and even pets.
