Two of Paris’s most beautiful landmarks , the golden-domed Hôtel des Invalides and the world-famous Eiffel Tower, are found in these quarters. Large parts of the area were created in the 19th century, when there was still room to construct wide avenues and grassy esplanades leading to the monumental buildings. To the east of the Invalides are numerous stately mansions now converted into embassies, and the French parliament.
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In the Ancient Armoury Department, restored 17th-century murals by Joseph Parrocel celebrate Louis XIV’s military conquests.
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Morning
Try to get to the Eiffel Tower early, to beat the worst of the queues, and take the lift to the top to admire the spectacular panorama. After descending, take tea at the Pâtisserie de la Tour Eiffel (21 ave de la Bourdonnais), whose terrace has a great view.
Walk towards the Seine and turn right before crossing the river. A stroll along the riverbank is always pleasant if the weather is kind (see Riverfront Views), and before long you will reach the Place de la Résistance. Cross the road, staying on the south side of the river, where a ticket booth masks one of the city's great secrets, Les Egouts . Don't worry about taking a torch or wearing special footwear - the area visited is well-lit and dry underfoot
If the sewers don't put you off your food, lunch at the excellent fish restaurant, Le Divellec .
Afternoon
After lunch, walk to the Hôtel des Invalides to see Napoleon's Tomb and the beautiful domed church, and then visit the almost adjacent Musée Rodin and stroll in its gardens.
On leaving the museum turn right along rue de Varenne, until it meets rue du Bac. Here, at No. 109, is Le Bac à Glaces, a combined tearoom and ice cream parlour - perfect for a refreshing rest.
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Cost ranges widely between lunch and dinner in this family-friendly restaurant. Good views.
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The third-largest collection of armoury in the world is on show in the northeast refectory. Assembled over a 40-year period since the 1960s, these items had been lost since the Revolution.
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Over 800 canons are gathered together inside and in front of the museum.
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Built for the daughter of Louis XIV in 1722, the Palais Bourbon has housed the lower house of the French parliament since 1827. The Council of the Five Hundred met here during the Revolution, and it was the headquarters of the German Occupation during World War II. Napoleon added the Classical riverfront façade in 1806 to complement La Madeleine (see Place de la Madeleine) across the river.
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Steak with Roquefort, veal poached in port and tarte Tatin in this great bistro.
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Everybody wants to race to the top, but don’t neglect the view from the ground. Looking directly up at the magnificent structure makes one appreciate the feat of engineering all the more (see Eiffel Tower).
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Lively atmosphere and hearty food in this quirky bistro.
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These long formal gardens, stretching between the Eiffel Tower and the Ecole Militaire, were laid out in 1765–7 as a parade ground for the military school, but the “Field of Mars” was opened to the public in 1780. Three years later crowds gathered for the launch of the first hydrogen-filled balloon. On 14 July 1790, a sullen Louis XVI watched as 300,000 citizens celebrated the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, an event which is commemorated here annually (see Marais and the Bastille). Five world exhibitions were held here between 1867 and 1937; the 1889 event gave Paris the Eiffel Tower.
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Restaurant price categories
For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and charges included.
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