Two architectural masterpieces, Versaille and Sorbonne should be always included in the list of Paris travel itinerary. These two form a historic heritage of France, being olden representatives of government, culture and education. These two are venues of the exceptional beauty, forming a reputable architectural landscape of Paris.
The Versaille Palace is located in the town with the same name on the western edge of Paris. The King Louis XIV, the Sun King, built Versaille in 1682. Since those days, the palace has always been the place for significant historic and politic occasions in France, such as the signing of the Peace Treaty between defeated Germany and the Allies on June, 28, 1919, in the Hall of Mirrors that brought the First World War officially to an end.
Versaille is enormously impressive both in its exterior and in interior. The Palace has absorbed the air of nobility that once filled it from floor to ceiling with festive and historically significant events and celebrations. Each thing you see here breathes its own history of royal manners and intrigues.
The Hall of Mirrors is a vast area, where banquets were held and treaties were signed. When the Palace was created, the Mirror was as precious as diamond. The ceilings of the Palace are covered with heavenly scenes from the Greek mythology. Several exhibitions, some of which regularly change, illustrate the French royal life centuries ago. For instance, from January 23 to April 23, 2006, Versaille presents the Splendors of the Court of Saxony, Dresden at Versailles that exemplifies a Franco-German event, associating the Louvre, Sevres and Versailles with Dresden's seven museums through some two hundred and fifty six exhibits, showing the culture and power of the Court of Dresden in the time of Augustus II (1670-1733).
Versaille also stores a precious tapestry, which is part of a series The Story of the King that recounts the most significant episodes in the life of Louis XIV, such as his coronation, marriage, military exploits and ceremonial appearances. Some other treasured artworks at Versaille include a canvas "Christ at Supper with Simon" by Paolo Veronese, a recently restored ceiling of the Hercules Salon, which is one of the largest paintings ever executed, covering four hundred and eighty square meters of the surface area, and Commode from Louis XIV's bedroom in the Grand Trianon by Andre-Charles Boulle.
The Versaille gardens are huge valleys of color and foliage with three hundred fountains (originally there were fifteen hundred), an impressive lake with giant goldfish, and numerous chateaus, temples, and twisting paths.
In the summer, within the grounds of Versaille gardens there is a number of activities, comprising a train ride, horse and carriage tours, a rowing boat and cycle hire. The mini-train provides visitors with panoramic views on the entire grounds, which include his and her residence palaces, which otherwise are at least a thirty minute walk each way from the main palace. The mini-train also stops along the main canal, where there is a cafe and a snack shop.
The Sorbonne University is also an architectural masterpiece of old Paris, founded in the 13th century. Sorbonne is located in the center of the famous Latin Quarter of Paris on the Left Bank. This is the students' and artists' quarter, but it is also an area of elegant classic beauty and an artistic French style. The chapel of Sorbonne dates back to the16th century, while other buildings were built in the 19th century.