Located at the center of Paris and that of France. Notre Dame had witnessed some of the greatest moments in the city's history. Its setting on the banks of the Seine is beautiful and inspiring. This spot had seen people praying for over 2000 years.

Moderators: Ginny, Stern

Located by the Seine on Ile de la Cite, La Conciergerie was originally part of the Royal Palace. It first became a prison at the end of the 14th century and today it is better known for the role it played during the French Revolution (18th century) when it housed over 4000 prisoners including Danton, Robespierre and even Marie-Antoinette. From here people (including the three mentioned above) were being sent to the guillotine. The name of the building comes from the superintendent of the palace (concierge) which was in charge of renting out shops and gathering taxes. Some highlights not to be missed include the impressive Salle des Gens d'Armes (Room of the People at Arms) a vast Gothic room that was used as a banqueting hall and Marie Antoinette's cell.

Moderators: Ginny, Stern

Musee d'Orsay opened in 1986 in a beautiful building which served as a train station until 1960's. The main attraction of the museum are the Impressionists with numerous paintings by Renoir, Monet, Manet (which is considered a class of its own), Pissarro, Sisley. Included here are also the post-Impressionist Cezanne, Degas and Vincent Van Gogh.

Moderators: Ginny, Stern

The Louvre is the world's largest museum and one of the world's greatest art collections in the world. The palace stretches for about half mile between the Seine and rue de Rivoli. It was originally a fortress built by Philippe-Auguste in the 13th century. 300 years later Francois I replaced it with a Renaissance style building. Many French kings continued to add to the construction and improve it. Some of the kings used it as their residence before the court moved to Versaille. Louvre was first opened to the public in 1793 and has been used as a museum ever since. The latest addition to the building is the glass pyramid (also a museum entrance) that sits in the courtyard which was designed by I. M. Pei. The pyramid was unveiled in 1989.

Moderators: Ginny, Stern