Palais des Beaux-Arts

Advantages: English speaking,friendly people,beautiful!
Disadvantages: Pickpockets

...of the spheres an exhibition is held, which provides lots of information, making the trip to the Atomium a knowledgeable one. THE PLACE DES PALAIS (PALACES' SQUARE)-which hosts "Palais des Academies", a former residence of the Prince of Orange. "Royal Palace", the most important building on the square. "Palais des Beaux-Arts"-this building contains exhibition rooms, showrooms, a movie theatre and a concert hall. MANNEKEN-PIS-a fountain known as "the oldest citizen in the City", the statuette represents a young hero from Brussels folklore. This has got to be the strangest statue I have ever seen, but definitely does give you a giggle and he is always dressed appropriately according to the time of the year eg. Christmas. There is also a female version of this statue JEANEKE-PIS,a little girl version of the Manneken-Pis. But she is so hard to find... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Hundreds of famous works of art.
Disadvantages: Sensory overload.

...If you enjoy visiting art museums, Paris really is the place to go to. In the last 20 years or so, Paris museums re-organised their collections and the musée d'Orsay became the receptacle for art dated between 1848 and 1914. ~The Gare d'Orsay~ ********************** The building that houses the collection used to be a train station and hotel, which due to its proximity to the Louvre needed to be built sympathetically. Its inauguration in 1900 revealed a very fine building where the stone façade hid the metal structure inside. At the time, the painter Edouard Detaille wrote ""The station is superb and looks like a Palais des beaux-arts...". Little did he know that he was writing a prophesy… After 1939, the progressive electrification of the railroads meant that the platforms were now too short to accommodate the new, longer... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Good food, good wine ,friendly people and great country.
Disadvantages: Lack of french

...by visiting the popular Place Plumerau with its carefully restored half-timbered townhouses. The area is packed with café/bars and restaurants of every kind and everything from aperitif to late night coffee is catered for. A stroll through the old quarter day or night offers many distractions and delights. Rue Colbert which lies midway between Place Plumereau and the cathedral is gaining a reputation as one of the most fashionable streets in the city for its young population. You could spend weeks here and still not sample all the culinary delights the city has to offer. For those who wish to seek out the culture of the city there are many fine monuments and museums. The Cathedrale St-Gatien with its flamboyant Gothic façade is an imposing piece of architecture both by day and by night. Musee des Beaux-arts is a fine provincial museum... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: English speaking,friendly people,beautiful!
Disadvantages: Pickpockets

...of the spheres an exhibition is held, which provides lots of information, making the trip to the Atomium a knowledgeable one. THE PLACE DES PALAIS (PALACES' SQUARE)-which hosts "Palais des Academies", a former residence of the Prince of Orange. "Royal Palace", the most important building on the square. "Palais des Beaux-Arts"-this building contains exhibition rooms, showrooms, a movie theatre and a concert hall. MANNEKEN-PIS-a fountain known as "the oldest citizen in the City", the statuette represents a young hero from Brussels folklore. This has got to be the strangest statue I have ever seen, but definitely does give you a giggle and he is always dressed appropriately according to the time of the year eg. Christmas. There is also a female version of this statue JEANEKE-PIS,a little girl version of the Manneken-Pis. But she is so hard to find... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: History, culture and good food
Disadvantages: Industrial backdrop

...and a resplendent Musee Des Beaux Arts which is housed in a 17th century Abbey. Look out for the underground carparks that were co-designed by architects and artists, great fun. Since 1985 Lyon has been desperately trying to improve self-image and reputation, so a lot of money has been invested into the lighting of the city. This has worked wonders and as you stroll along the banks of the Saone at night, looking for a nice restaurant, (of which there are many,) you will appreciate the effort.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: its a city
Disadvantages: its a city

...to stock up on wine. From the station area, a brisk walk down 'Rue de Faidherbe' which offers a few shops and you get to the opera house, bourse (stock exchange) and old bourse. This area offers up market shops for those who have a few spare pennies. LePage being a renowned jewellers. The buildings in this area are magnificent. A good few minutes having a look around here justifies a visit. (I am a big fan of architecture). The 'Grand place' with its' column is just round the corner with its cafes and shops such as 'Le Furet du Nord' (northern ferret) this in itself is worth a look in. Other shops in the area such as the boutiques and cafes along 'Rue Nationale' and a 'Rue Esquermosie' should not be neglected. If you are interested in museums, Lille has a good selection including 'Palais de Beaux arts' and the Natural History Museum... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful