Mercury is often found in Mesoamerican tombs in the form of a powdery red pigment called cinnabar So it was with some surprise that Sergio Gomez an archaeologist with Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History discovered traces of liquid mercury this year in three chambers under the early-third-century A.D Feathered Serpent Pyramid in the ancient city of Teotihuacan Gomez believes the mercury was part of a representation of the geography of the underworld the mythological realm where the dead reside The silvery liquid was probably used to depict lakes and rivers Since uncovering the entrance to a tunnel leading beneath the pyramid in 2003 Gomez has found five underground chambers containing thousands of artifacts such as skeletons of large jaguars and wolves such as figurines made of jade from Guatemala and seashells from the Caribbean indicate how far Teotihuacan’s influence extended In addition to helping maintain the mercury in liquid form the humidity and lack of oxygen in the underground chambers have preserved plant seeds and fragments of something that might be human skin Embrace Someplace A Travel Website About Portland and Oregon | Updated: February 19 | Leave a Comment Post Overview: Free Things to Do in Paris Paris is famous for many things: the Eiffel Tower Paris is where your funds make a bee-line out of your account you’ll be happy to learn that there’s a plethora of fun things to do for free in Paris Between the luxury designer stores and expensive caviar riddled restaurants there is a city for those of us on a budget And as someone who values the idea of retiring someday I’ve made it a personal mission to find the best things to do in Paris for free I’ve visited the French capital six times there is way to visit Paris without fear of checking the credit card statement at the end of your trip If you’re not against hanging out in stunning public places or putting some miles on your shoes If you’re in search of the best free things to do in Paris I’ll give you a list of my favorite 30 suggestions is an artist hot pocket you cannot afford to miss Found at Place du Tertre (a public square) there is a congregation of talented artists selling original artwork al fresco.  The most common art you’ll find are caricature portraits Folks sit down in front of an artist and have themselves painted or drawn Although taking a seat in the chair will force you to break out your purse just perusing the market is one of the best free things to do in Paris Some artists have so much talent I plan to return when I have kids to get some portraits done It’s easy to be mesmerized by the skill of the artists as they drag their pencils over the canvas But let me heed you a word of warning: visiting is one of the most popular free things to do in Paris and the crowds are no joke It can resemble an ant colony with folks nearly climbing over each other as they work through the crowds Arrive before noon to avoid any bruised ribs Bibliothèque Mazarine is France’s oldest public library and visiting is one of the most memorable free things to do in Paris The beautiful building is home to many wonderful book collections busts of famous philosophers and so much more the dome is a magnificent piece of architecture that is truly breathtaking If you’re interested in taking a tour you’ll have a few options that I’ll list below Just make sure to grab a brochure from the reception desk and explore your heart away Something to note: Bibliothèque Mazarine tries to keep a peaceful Visitors should silently explore and not disrupt the peace France’s markets are known across the world and visiting them is one of the best free things to do in Paris As soon as the weather starts clearing up you won’t struggle finding street markets popping up what feels like every other block Markets are peppered in nearly every neighborhood but my personal favorite is the Marche Bastille but even if you just browse you’ll still have plenty of fun The vendors come from all over the world so not only is there unique souvenirs Perusing the market is one of the best free things to do in Paris and can be a fun way to kill a few hours Not to mention some of the prices can be a bit of shock (it’s a popular tourist destination) so leaving your wallet at home can be for the best With so many worthwhile museums in the French capital you might be thinking “I have no way of budgeting for all of them!” Well I’m here to quell your nerves visiting museums can be one of the best free things to do in Paris.  the first Sunday of every month offers free entrance to all of France’s national museums in Paris These include some of the most popular like The Louvre Musée d’Orsay and Musée Picasso.  it can be a mad-dash to get into the museums Crowds come out in full force hoping to save a buck euro My suggestion is to arrive at the museum you want to see most before it opens and get in line early.  I should also mention that if you are a resident of the European Union and are under the age of 26 access to these national museums is free in Paris At this point it’ll be harder to find the time rather than the funds to see all the museums on your list A mere 20 minute train ride into the outskirts of Paris and you’ll be in one of the most beautiful parks in all of Europe Visiting is one of the best things to do for free in Paris go for a walk or learn a little bit of history, It was the former home of various noblemen (including Napoleon Bonaparte) who lived in the chateau that used to exist in the park Unfortunately the estate was a casualty of the Franco-Prussian war Details of the chateau’s luxurious past have survived the test of time serving as breadcrumbs of the park’s pedigree Across its 1,100 acres you’ll find statues fountains and curated gardens orchestrated by none other than Andre Le Notre the same man responsible for designing the Gardens of Versailles And unsurprisingly visiting the park is one of the best things to do for free in Paris You’ll have to pay for a metro ticket but €2 is a dinky price tag when compared to a full day’s worth of entertainment To cap off a day at the Parc de Saint-Cloud be sure to end at the Rond de la Balustrade near the restaurant La Lanterne (still inside the park) It’s in the southwest corner and offers a full but it’s one of the best free things to do in Paris Construction on the Notre Dame (“Our Lady” in French) Cathedral began in 1163 and wasn’t completed until 1260 The cathedral is a true testament that they don’t make em like they used to For nearly 900 years visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral was one of the best free things to do in Paris The cathedral took a beating during the French Revolution and much of the religious imagery was destroyed tradition prevails and the building continued to be used as a house of worship this architectural marvel has hosted the funerals of many French presidents and even the coronation of Napoleon Considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture seeing this storied cathedral is non-negotiable when searching for free things to do in Paris the Notre Dame is closed for renovations following the devastating fire in 2019 You can view the breathtaking building from the outside but it won’t reopen until December 2024.  When I’m asked if folks should still visit the cathedral while it’s under construction my answer is always a resounding yes Not only is taking it in one of the best free things to do in Paris Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl Paris has had its time to shine on the big-screen romanticizing the city and inspiring folks from all around the globe to visit one of the best free things to do in Paris is to visit the site of iconic scenes from your favorite films One of the most famous filming locations in Paris is the Pont de Bir Hakeim It’s been dubbed the “Inception Bridge” thanks to a scene from Leonardo Dicaprio’s 2010 sci-fi blockbuster a restaurant in Paris’ 13th arrondissement where Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds (2009) filmed Shosanna Dreyfus meets Frederick Zoller here In fact it’s the only scene from the film shot in Paris the Pont des Arts Bridge crossing the Seine River (near The Louvre) is where Carrie and Mr Big have their happily ever after during the series finale And don’t even get me started with Netflix’s Emily in Paris The show has dozens of filming locations across the French capital touring the city’s filming locations is one of the best free things to do in Paris I only covered American films and TV shows Paris is very much a global city with a global audience The moment the sun appears, locals and visitors alike flock to the perfectly manicured lawn at Palais Royal Garden in an attempt to take advantage of spring in Paris The well maintained garden of the 17th-century palace is home to a stunning fountain tree-lined pathways and beds of flowers that simply can’t be resisted one of the most relaxing free things to do in Paris is to find an empty chair and plop yourself in the beauty a snack or a friend and hangout near the giant fountain with your legs kicked up restaurants and cafes lining the gardens so if you get hungry or need a mid-day pick me up you won’t struggle finding something But in order to keep this on our list of free things to do in Paris simply walking the stunning pathways is rewarding enough to warrant a visit which are like an early version of a mall popularized in the 1800’s hall-like passage which has skylights filtering in natural light and is lined by stores Arguably the most famous of these passageways is Galeries Vivienne Celebrating its 200th anniversary this year the passageway is as pretty as a picture (which might explain why it’s all over Instagram) And I know you might be questioning why I’d include a place to shop on a list of the best free things to do in Paris I’m going to let you in on a little secret — you don’t actually have to shop You can take the same leisurely stroll you’d take through a park and be protected from any inclement weather you get the added entertainment of walking through the stores and window shopping You’ll find everything from luxury brands to home essentials and even a wine store at Galeries Vivienne making it an easy way to spend a few hours just be sure to leave your wallet at home to reduce the temptation to buy So I mentioned how visiting museums can be one of the best free things to do in Paris when your visit falls on the first Sunday of the month but I forgot to mention there are year-round free museums If you don’t have the flexibility of choosing which days to visit France you can still visit some of the city’s museums without spending a dime (or in this case Musée Carnavalet and Musée de la Vie Romantique are all on our list of the best museums in Paris and offer free access to their permanent collections just arrive and if they have space for you you’re good to go Please note that if you want to see one of their temporary or featured exhibits you’ll need to buy tickets. But those aren’t the only museums you can visit for free in Paris, the official Department of Tourism’s website has a full list you can choose from Good luck visiting Rue Crémieux and not filling up your entire camera roll Located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris this single Parisian street has taken the internet by storm What was originally built as housing for workers quickly became one of the most sought-out streets in the whole city and one of the best free things to do in Paris The street is lined in vibrantly painted houses and taking a picture in front of the colorful buildings is one of the best free things to do in Paris The neighborhood’s charming colored house fronts have made it a famous tourist attraction and a popular location for social media Important Reminder: This is a residential street where real people live. Remember to be courteous of your noise and the locals privacy. The residents have even made an Instagram account showing some of the more annoying visitors and the lengths they go to for a photo Sandwiched between The Louvre and the Place de Concorde is the Jardin des Tuileries Built as the private garden of the Tuileries Palace (aka the home of France’s monarchs) you’d be correct in assuming every square foot of the garden is thoughtfully designed After the French Revolution the gardens became a public park In the present you can swing by the garden on any given day and find it teeming with vibrant life Vendors and street performers set up shop and it feels like the most high-spirited place in France One of the best free things to do in Paris is to stop by for a warm stroll and enjoying the greenery and fresh air Better yet – park yourself on a reclining chair and delight in some entertaining people-watching fountains and food stands all across the garden gracing your eyes with something pretty to look at no matter where you turn your head If you visit for sunset I’d argue there are few more stunning places in the world especially when you consider this is one of the best free things to do in Paris When I say visiting the Pere Lachaise Cemetery is one of the best free things to do in Paris I don’t mean it to be morbid (and I especially don’t mean you should get buried there) It’s just that as the largest cemetery in Paris the Pere Lachaise is the final resting place of more than one celebrity Honore de Balzac and even lead singer of The Doors Jim Morrison are all buried in the cemetery Maybe that’s why more than 3.5 million people visit the cemetery each year Strolling the cemetery’s headstones is one of the best free things to do in Paris and you can make a game of trying to recognize more celebrities than your friends Just know that at 110 acres odds are you won’t get through them all And even if you want to just peruse the cemetery as a place for serene reflection The greenery and wildlife (including a small family of foxes) help the cemetery feel alive which says a lot of a place where the dead are buried I don’t mean to get overly-philosophical or preachy by any means but visiting the Pere Lachaise Cemetery is one of the best free things to do in Paris Hopefully you walk away with a reinvigorated passion and can continue on enjoying more of the French capital Coming to Paris and not visiting the Louvre is simply unacceptable Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a “museum person” architectural structure of this beauty is not to be dismissed one of the best free things to do in Paris doesn’t even involve admission Taking a picture in front of the instantly recognizable pyramids should be a must-do for everyone Originally built as a fortress before being repurposed as a royal palace the building officially became a museum in 1793 when America was still a teenager (17 years old) the building has been used many times over Most notably by the Nazi’s during WWII when they need a space to store stolen art The building alone is steeped in rich history and getting to experience it is worth visiting Paris for alone If time and budget aren’t an issue for you I strongly encourage (and practically beg) you to go inside The experience is definitely worth the €17 admission fee if you’re working with a limited vacation budget one of the best free things to do in Paris is to swing by for a picture from the outside The Canal Saint-Martin provides a much welcomed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life Most afternoons (weather permitting) you’ll find locals hanging out near the canal enjoying one of the best free things to do in Paris.  Whether you visit to enjoy a meal or just want to get some time to yourself (unwinding with a good book or sketch pad) the Canal Saint-Martin is a sanctuary of sorts However lest not forget this is still a major city so a bit of litter and traffic noise is par for the course.  The canal connects a much larger canal and the River Seine so there is plenty of space for you to find a spot to plop yourself down the promenade runs less than three miles making for easy exercise and one of the best free things to do in Paris.  One of the best free things to do in Paris is to swing by the Place de la Concorde At first glance you might think it’s just a concrete square with a busy street running around it (and it is) but in reality it’s home to some of the most notorious moments in French history The square was completed in 1772 and named after King Louis XV meant to celebrate the monarch surviving a serious illness the king’s popularity was on the decline and it only took a few years for the square to become a hub for the French Revolution In 1792 the square had its first executions by guillotine and come 1793 King Louis XV’s grandson and heir couldn’t escape the bloodbath and was victim to the guillotine along with 1,000 other people the square is frequented by tourists who want to visit a home of the French Revolution and enjoy one of the best things to do for free in Paris In the present you won’t witness any beheadings or locals with pitchforks it’s mostly just full of selfie sticks Fun fact: The obelisk at the center of the Place de la Concorde is from Egypt and dates back to 1250 BCE It is one of two obelisks that originally stood at the Luxor Temple near the Nile River the Parc du Buttes Chaumont arguably feels the most insulated from the chaos of the city The lush greenery has a way of isolating you from the major metropolitan area just beyond the trees and visiting is one of the best free things to do in Paris.  the design is more like that of an adventure park There is the Temple de la Sybille (which is more of a gazebo) towering above the lake on a cliff and a bridge that takes you across the bridge onto an island.  is one of the best things to do in Paris for free Whether you want to take a walk or just cozy up under a tree you’ll be wowed by the vision of Adolphe Alphand Emperor Napoleon III’s Director of Public Works.  Located in the 19th arrondissement in the northeastern corner of the city As one of the best free things to do in Paris all you’ll have to pay for is the ride there Sometimes window shopping is the best kind of shopping but I’ll be honest and say that it’s not always easy I ease the pain by window-shopping for things I can enjoy in the moment like perfumes Luckily paying a visit to the Marche aux Fleurs is one of the best free things to do in Paris Founded in 1808 it’s one of the oldest flower markets in the city It was originally known as the Marché aux fleurs et aux oiseaux Cité (the the Flower and Bird Market in English) all it took was a visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 2014 for it to change its name to Marché aux fleurs Reine-Elizabeth-II or the Queen Elizabeth II Flower Market The market also historically sells birds on Sundays but the practice is expected to cease soon Although a bird’s song sounds pretty in nature at the market it felt more like a zoo Inside you’ll find a prolific display of nature’s beauty You can take your time smelling and gawking at the blooms You’ll find everything from a common rose to hard-to-get flowers that will impress even the staunchest of critics Just be sure to leave your wallet at home because odds are you’ll find yourself justifying a few stems of peonies before you know it you’re searching for the best free things to do in Paris and we can’t start swiping that visa just because the flowers are gorgeous Parc Monceau is a public park opened in 1779 whose charm has only grown with the years The park provides a place to catch your breath from the bustle of city life and visiting is one of the best free things to do in Paris In the park you’ll find a miniature Egyptian pyramid It’s remarkable how they’ve been able to squeeze bits of the world into a small urban park It feels much larger than its true 20 acre size Part of the park’s allure is that unlike traditional French formal gardens that follow symmetrical and regimented designs Parc Monceau’s paths wander with the contour of the land in the style of what’s known as an English garden Now I’m not here to talk to you guys about landscape design but the English garden creates a more natural atmosphere Visiting is one of the best things to do in Paris for free especially if you’re a creative looking for a place looking to draw inspiration from At any given time you’ll find locals going for a jog or walking their dogs along the path If you’re looking for some exercise you’ll be hard pressed to find a more idyllic location Add the ability to get your heart-rate pumping to the list of reasons visiting Parc Monceau is one of the best free things to do in Paris Musee de la Vie Romantique translates to the Museum of Romantic Life and fortunately for us it’s one of the handful of free museums in Paris Since the museum is owned and operated by the city viewing its permanent collection won’t cost you a dime The museum was the home-base of painter Ary Scheffer a close friend to the second-to-last King of France Louis-Phillipe Scheffer also had a relationship with his neighbor George Sands (real name Amantine Aurore Lucile Dupin) The museum is small but has just enough room to cover Scheffer and Sands’ work It also sprinkles in some more art pieces throughout Swinging by the museum is one of the best free things to do in Paris the only part that costs money are the temporary exhibits The museum’s garden is just as charming as the building and a point of inspiration for anyone trying to get creative juices flowing Sitting under the shadow of the large tree gives you ample shade to draw Just be sure to arrive in the morning because visiting is one of the best things to do in Paris for free and every chair will be full by noon many of which are on full display while promenading along the Seine River One of my favorite free things to do in Paris is to walk alongside the river and enjoy a bit of good old fashioned sight-seeing.  if you’re comfortable being out past sundown you walk along the river as the cities lights come on If the vibe is right it’s even more romantic than the movies make it out to be There is something inspiring about seeing a global landmarks when it’s dark In a way it makes you feel like it’s just you and the landmark The stroll is one of the best free things to do in Paris and introduces you to the city from a completely new point of view. If you prefer to wake up early rather than being out late Beginning in the neighborhood of Bastille and running to the Bois de Vincennes the Promenade Plantee is an elevated park that uses abandoned railway tracks as a walkway.  The promenade is a masterclass in urban architecture and has a curated garden to make your stroll more enjoyable It’s one of the best free things to do in Paris and well worth planning your route around.  At one point the path even seems to cut an apartment building in half like Moses parting the Red Sea. Along the way you’ll be as high as 20+ feet above the street so you can get some unique views of the French Capital Whether you’re looking to exercise or just enjoy a pleasant walk La Promenade Plantee provides one of the best free things to do in Paris There is a staircase at the intersection of Rue de Lyon and Avenue Daumesnil that you can take to go up into the park If at any point you decide you’re done there are more staircases along the route you can use to exit For any of you who have visited The High Line in New York City I grew up going to flea markets so you’ll understand the awe in my eyes when I visited Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen There’s anywhere between 1,700 to 2,500 vendors selling damn near everything you can think of food and vintage items are all par for the course Paying the market a visit is one of the best things to do in Paris for free Just walking its nearly 20 acres of stalls is entertainment enough Some of the antiquities and art pieces look like they could be museums and you can visit vendors selling items from all over the world If you’re thinking there’s no way you’ll visit a flea market because you prefer lavish shopping you should know there are some high-end pieces at the Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen Think of intricate furniture handmade by craftspeople and custom clothing The items in the market could complete just about any scavenger hunt or grocery list The Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen is open Saturdays Sundays and Mondays and visiting is one of the best free things to do in Paris Thanks to its size and eclectic vendors you’ll create a memory you won’t soon forget is an English-language bookshop that dates back to 1951 the shop became a safe haven for anglophone writers and readers in 1964 Whitman changed the name to Shakespeare and Company He did this in honor of a bookseller (Sylvia Beach) he personally admired Beach founded the original Shakespeare and Company in 1919 in Paris It served as a gather place for expat writers She provided housing in exchange for assistance at the store Present day visiting the store is one of the best free things to do in Paris because you get to enjoy a little bit of literary history Swing by if you’re looking for free things to do in Paris you won’t soon forget The store’s fame has reached far and wide and it’s become a popular tourist destination There’s a very charming cafe right next door pop in for a great coffee and midday pick-me-up The Champs-Élysées is one of (if not the) most famous street in the world cafes and enough tourists to fill a stadium – visiting is one of the best free things to do in Paris The Arc de Triomphe marks the official start of the Avenue of the Champs-Élysées this is a trendy avenue full of designer shops and fun restaurants I enjoy strolling from the Arc de Triomphe all the way down to the Tuileries Gardens where it ends You’ll see the flagship Louis Vuitton store from the sidewalk as well as other famous luxury designers along the way You’ll also find high-end restaurants and bakeries (like Lauderee) serving folks in the most idyllic of settings There’s a few American companies staking their claim (Apple and Stabucks I’m looking at you) but largely I just recommend you stroll the avenue The street itself is one of the most popular tourist attractions so taking your time perusing it is one of the best free things to do in Paris Good to know: The Champs-Élysées is completely car-free during the first Sunday of the month It’s open exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists in an effort to reduce air pollution and improve air quality Champs-Élysées is French for a paradise in Greek mythology known as “Elysian Fields.” Don’t you just love it when there’s a simple explanation Of course no list of the best free things to do in Paris would be complete without mentioning the star of Montmartre The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris (Sacré-Cœur Basilica) is a breathtaking masterpiece Not to mention it’s located in arguably the most charming Parisian neighborhood the basilica was built in the Romano-Byzantine style at the end of the 19th century It’s still used to this day as an important house of worship The views of Paris from the Sacré-Cœur are some of the best in the city That’s why I consider this a non-negotiable when creating a list of the best things to do for free in Paris It’s no wonder the lawn swarms with folks on picnic blankets wading through the crowds and the folks selling trinkets (some of them downright harass folks!) My biggest suggestion is to be weary of the men walking around with strings ask to see your hand and start sewing a bracelet on your wrist When they’re done they ask for payment even if you never agreed to buying anything Just be confident in your no thank you’s and keep it moving the beauty of the Sacre Coeur is alluring and the neighborhood is very fun to explore Even the inside of the basilica is open free of charge Be sure to add visiting the house of worship to your list of free things to do in Paris Originally designed as the stomping grounds for royals and nobility the Place des Vosges is considered one of the prettiest parks in Paris Evident by the swarms of locals who flood the park like ants over spilled food visiting is one of the best things to do in Paris for free There are cafes lining the streets that surround the park and the outdoor dining adds to the charm It’s no wonder that the famous author Victor Hugo chose an apartment that overlooks the park (and that has been turned into free museum in Paris There isn’t much to do at the Place des Vosges unless you bring it with you bring a ball to toss or a good book to enjoy One of the best views of the Eiffel Tower comes from Galeries Lafayette It’s a luxury department store catered to those with no self-control of their spending (aka Luckily not everything the store has to offer comes with a giant price tag Visiting the rooftop terrace is one of the best things to do in Paris for free The store itself is stunning and does a great job creating an atmosphere of class and grandeur tiled floors and a dome that could just as well be found in a Renaissance-era church I’ve learned (for my wallet’s sake) to make a beeline for the elevator Once at the top it’s easy to lose track of time delighting in the views of the Eiffel Tower and the City of Light Visiting the Galeries Lafayette rooftop is one of the most popular free things to do in Paris That’s why you’ll have to diligently keep an eye for a break in the wall of people if you want to sneak in for a picture Something to note: There is a seasonal restaurant that opens in the spring and sells drinks and small bites on the Galeries Lafayette rooftop terrace It’s not one of the best free things to do in Paris but if you have some flexibility in your budget for a brew you should consider it Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be royalty relaxing at the Luxembourg Gardens is a great start visiting is one of the best things to do in Paris for free so you won’t have the place to yourself The Luxembourg Gardens was commissioned by Marie de’ Medici after her sweet thang she decided that the Louvre was no longer a desirable residence and commissioned an architect to build a new palace in imitation of the place she was born — Pitti Palace in Florence the garden was designed in a style native to Florence and spared no expense in the effort Today you’ll see chipper tourist with cameras in hand rubbing elbows with locals catching up with friends Visiting the gardens is one of the best things to do in Paris for free the Statue of Liberty was a gift from the French But did you know you can see a smaller version of the Statue of Liberty at the Luxembourg Gardens The bronze replica sits on the west side of the park Just something to mull over if looking for Paris itinerary ideas Arguably the best views of the Eiffel Tower are at Champs de Mars The public green space sits at the foot of the Iron Lady and offers uninterrupted views of the French landmark Expect to find locals sprawled out on picnic blankets and enjoying one of the best things to do in Paris for free If you’re patient you should consider waiting for the sun to set and the tower to light up Taking the time to hang in the Champ de Mars is one of the best things to do in Paris for free you also get to enjoy in one of my favorite activities: people watching Folks from all over the globe (literally) visit the Eiffel Tower every day and you’ll experience plenty of entertaining interactions From folks jogging in the Champs de Mars to others bartering with the vendors selling trinkets My list of 30 unique and free things to do in Paris Let me know if there’s anything I missed In: Paris I share helpful guides (with beautiful photos I don't accept sponsorships to ensure that the information we share is unbiased and honest You can expect one (short) email per month Copyright © 2025 Embrace Someplace | Privacy Policy | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases Coldplay pull out every last stop for their record fifth headline performance 25 years since Coldplay’s Glastonbury debut a silver anniversary they commemorate tonight by unexpectedly dusting down an acoustic version of Sparks from their debut album Parachutes it’s the fifth time they’ve headlined the festival and they’ve got the hang of it to such an extent that it increasingly feels like the job the quartet were put on earth to do they’ve completed a 180-degree turn from earnest stadium balladeers to purveyors of relentless more-is-more visual overload: their gigs are now effectively a 21st-century equivalent of U2’s Zoo TV shows albeit without any of U2’s accompanying theorising about the media or the relationship between art and commerce Left to right: Johnny Buckland Photograph: David Levene/The GuardianThis gig is played amid the eye-popping and everything that appeared to be cranked up to 11 when I saw it two years ago is now cranked up to 12 The end result makes Dua Lipa’s performance on Friday night look like the dernier cri in shy understatement Pyrotechnics and confetti cannons are used not as a special effect not deployed to signpost the climax of the show while equipping the audience with illuminated wristbands remains the best idea anyone’s had at a giant-scale gig since they worked out how to turn the big stage-side screens on: it’s both visually dazzling and dizzily effective at turning even the fringes of what looks like it will be the biggest crowd of the weekend into part of the performance Shamelessly unsubtle crowd-pleasing stuff … Chris Martin and Coldplay Photograph: David Levene/The GuardianIt is shamelessly unsubtle crowd-pleasing stuff from the obvious singalong anthems that precede their appearance – Don’t Look Back In Anger Smells Like Teen Spirit – to a drone flying overhead broadcasting the vastness of the assembled masses back to them to the level of flattery Martin lavishes on the festival and the audience itself: “Amazing wonderful people from all over the place… the greatest city on earth … the most important engine room in the world” it would take a quite extraordinary level of churlishness not to be swept along in its wake Whatever reasonable objections you might lodge against Coldplay do seem to melt away in the face of such cartoonish good fun – at a festival where there’s theoretically always something else going on to divert your attention it’s a smart idea to continually give the audience something to look at – and a set toploaded with a relentless bombardment of greatest hits: Yellow and Femi Kuti and Palestinian/Chilean singer Elyanna appear on an impressively powerful version of Arabesque the highlight of 2019’s decidedly mixed bag Everyday Life The final part of the show occasionally skirts with a slightly cheesy daffiness as it attempts to find further stops to pull out: Martin gets the cameras to focus on individual audience members and makes up songs about them on the spot; he invites the crowd en masse to send out private messages of love to the world (the dispatch of said messages is marked with more fireworks) Spectators with wristbands as a laser show appears overhead. Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The GuardianBut he still succeeds in carrying the crowd with it. For a finale, he unexpectedly brings out Michael J Fox The latter is arguably the most slender of Coldplay’s patented Big Tunes but it feels noticeably bulked up by being sung en masse to a backdrop of their trademark wristbands glowing a warm orange the cameras briefly focus on drummer Will Champion But even if it doesn’t leave you moist-eyed Coldplay’s performance is the kind of Glastonbury set that no one present is likely to forget in a hurry 17vs4Central Arkansas Photo by: Francis PhotoUT MARTIN STUNT ADDS ANOTHER WIN ON FINAL DAY OF 2024 REGULAR SEASON3/16/2024 11:52:00 PM | Stunt One cannot visit the St. Augustine National Cemetery without noticing the Dade Pyramids These burial vaults contain the remains of hundreds of U.S Soldiers who served and died in Florida’s Second Seminole War the Florida War ended with the burial of 156 Soldiers in 10-foot square vaults that were soon covered by coquina pyramids these pyramids are believed to be the oldest memorial in any of the nation’s national cemeteries The cemetery is the final resting place of many other veterans Very near the Dade pyramids is possibly the cemetery’s most famous veteran Following his father’s death in the Mexican War Battle of Buena Vista It is believed that Lincoln first met Miss Mary Todd at the Hardin home Hardin was colonel of the 12th Pennsylvania Reserves during the Civil War During the war he was recognized for gallant services five times the beloved general was 85 years old and the last member of the USMA Class of 1859 His funeral was attended by hundreds and received great attention in the local newspaper who shared similar experiences of a life of service on America’s frontiers Seven of them were Buffalo Soldiers of the U.S 9th and 10th Cavalry and 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments African American regiments organized after the Civil War All seven were veterans of the Spanish American War Three other Spanish American War burials here were members of Roosevelt’s famed “Rough Riders,” the 1st U.S the world commemorated the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I Resting in this cemetery are 246 veterans of the war including more than 100 African-American veterans and two veterans whose service continued through WWII and Korea Two of Florida’s WWI veterans buried here had notable service Spengler (site B-718) trained officers of the Quartermaster Corps school at Camp Joseph E before traveling to Europe on special assignment to collect arms and artifacts of the war for inclusion in the National Museum a veteran of the Spanish American War and WWI had the great honor of having served as one of the eight pallbearers of the Unknown Soldier when the Tomb at Arlington was first dedicated in 1921 Dell was the superintendent of this cemetery Earlier this month the world remembered the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day marking the end of World War II in Europe Many of those buried in the cemetery are World War II veterans They represent all branches of service and all theaters of war 84 are men who died of wounds received or who were killed in action Eight of the WWII veterans buried here had continued service in Korea while four others had continued service in both Korea and Vietnam Three groups of WWII veterans are buried in common graves All were victims of airplane crashes while in service in the United States They include three members of the 398th Bomb Squadron 21st Bomb Group (site B-544); five members of the U.S Naval Reserve (site B-637); and four members of the 136th Air Base Unit Other burials represent a connection deeper than those of comrades in arms Augustine and a member of the 222nd Infantry during a combat crossing of Danube River near Donauwoerth Though his remains were re-interred from France in 1949 On the reverse of Palme’s headstone is a memorial to his brother Russell B Lost in the North Atlantic aboard the U.S.S Russell died one day before his brother Jere was honored during a ceremony to be the first to turn on the permanent light for the U.S Denton commanded a company of the Florida National Guard before taking command at Keesler Field Augustine for 25 years until his death in 1962 (site D-158) was buried in 1949 (site D-123) when his remains were re-interred from Hamm “Bud” Moore was a veteran of World War II who served his country as a radio operator of the U.S was then on active federal service deployed to Afghanistan with the 53rd Infantry Brigade Moore resumed his civilian job as Florida National Guard historian guiding visitors to the St Moore participated in his first Memorial Day ceremony in his hometown of Muskegon Military Academy Class of ’74 and was retired from the Florida National Guard As Command Historian of the Florida National Guard Moore hosted hundreds of visitors to the cemetery His research of the cemetery and its veterans culminated in the publication of “Sacred Ground: The Military Cemetery at St Now he rests in sacred ground beside those he loved and honored “For those whose final act of service to their nation confirmed that bitter-sweet refrain pro patria mori,’” Moore said during one Memorial Day ceremony The ancient emerors of China were buried in enormous Dozens of pyramid tombs are located in China with the largest being the tomb of the first emperor located near Xi'an also the location of the discovery of the famous Terra Cotta Warriors Thought to be the oldest Norman crypt in the world Two elaborately decorated "catacomb saints" are displayed on either side of the altar in a small church in Germany Does this church in Naples hold the true tomb of Vlad the Impaler the notoriously cruel figure who inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula Saint Borromeo often prayed in this austere crypt during the 16th century Beneath an ancient wishing tree lies an underground chapel with 12th-century frescoes and catacombs dedicated to a lady saint In a crypt underneath this church lies a naturally mummified vicar whose story is surrounded by mystery Wander through a maze of empty tombs to find the poles used to hang revolutionary patriots Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker last year’s first international art showcase at the Pyramids of Giza host Art D’Egypte once again turns to artists to translate the wonders of history into the language of the present Forever Is Now II showcases contemporary art and pays homage to the environment The exhibition brings together more than eleven ambitious public artworks by international and regional artists said: “Our global success last year motivated us to develop new plans that will amaze the world once more “We have worked hard over the years to establish Art D’Egypte as one of the region’s premier art consultancies and we are proud to bring you this latest endeavour.” The collective history embedded in the pyramids Forever is Now II activates the glory of this and other ancient civilisations and public art’s contemporary significance The large-scale site-specific artworks seek to embody the theme of timelessness express concerns about sustainability in an age of environmental crisis made from diverse materials — from fiberglass and steel to stone and marble — are locally sourced and produced in Egypt itself  Nadine Abdel Ghaffar and Art D’Egypte are hosting Forever Is Now II exhibition The first edition demonstrated the transformative power of art in historical sites but also through its ripple effect on tourists Forever is Now II builds on this impact and forms a continuum between past and present Art D’Egypte strives to be an innovative and forward-thinking platform that acts as a cultural operator rooted in advocating sustainable development in art through cultural preservation and art democratisation It is a body that aims to promote Egyptian art on an international level Annual exhibitions show contemporary Egyptian art at heritage sites linking a rich past to the creative present Everything Transforms at the Manial Palace in 2018 Reimagined Narratives was held at four locations along Al Mu’izz Street in Historic Cairo Forever Is Now became the first international art exhibition to be held at the Pyramids of Giza Art D’Egypte Forever Is Now also incorporated a Community Engagement Program that launched in 2020 at the Giza Plateau It included involving the surrounding community in the process of putting together the exhibition and arranged free Unesco-led public lectures to train youth as Art Guides and Heritage Guardians for the exhibition’s duration it also held interactive edutainment activities for students from Giza governorate schools discussing intangible cultural heritage and how to safeguard it A series of exclusive online content aimed to educate inspire and inform the youth of today through Live chats alongside two virtual exhibitions and a YouTube channel Her desire is to enhance the cultural and social development landscape in Egypt she decided to professionalise her passion by studying curating at the Central Saint Martin school of arts in London and began organising exhibitions in Egypt and Dubai Art DEgypte hosts Forever Is Now exhibition at Giza Pyramids New pop-up gallery at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Art Degypte show ends Maestro Adham Abdel Moneim's mind-maps enliven ME' s art canvas She established the art consultancy Art D’Egypte in 2016 which aims to promote Egyptian art nationally Art D’Egypte was subsequently invited to participate in Abu Dhabi Art and ArtGeneve she was recently invited by UN Women to give a talk at Palais des Nations about Egyptian women and their impact on art and society She was awarded the title Chevalier de l’ordre des arts des lettres in 2021 by the French government in recognition for her efforts to enrich the art world and was named one of Egypt’s Top 50 Women an award given annually to honour female figures who have a positive influence on society she won the Women’s Entrepreneurship Award in the second edition of Egypt’s Entrepreneur Awards Held under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism and the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board with the patronage of National Commissions for Unesco and main partner Forever Is Now II is being supported by numerous other partners including the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) educational partner Tahrir Culture Center at the American University in Cairo The French Embassy in Egypt/Institut Francais Qatari Diar Egypt has a large portfolio in Egypt comprising various prestigious real estate projects throughout the capital city of Cairo all the way to the Red Sea The new St Martin's School has been officially inaugurated Education Minister John Cortes said it is "worlds apart" from its predecessor which was no longer conducive to supporting learning for children with special needs The Chief Minister said it was also bigger than the old St Martin's reflecting the fact that more children are being diagnosed as needing the help of the school Fabian Picardo revealed the direct cost of the new school is approximately 10 million pounds He told GBC this was a brilliant investment Sitemap Website design by Piranha Designs Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei designed both buildings, and the latest refurbishment of the Sofitel’s guest rooms, corridors and lobbies leans on the master’s strong love of triangular geometry – a style he became known for when his glass-and-metal pyramid was added to the Louvre Museum in the 1980s.  A+ Design Group founder Tony Leung has been involved in Sofitel Melbourne’s $15 million refurbishment and says the late I. M. Pei was an idol of his, as a fellow Chinese architect and the designer of the Louvre Pyramid. “I. M. Pei’s narrative of strong triangular geometry … has been reinforced throughout the entire facelift,” Leung says. “The key new design elements take on I. M. Pei’s lead and look at the existing elements in both architecture and interior.  “The upgrade of the Sofitel guestrooms, corridors and lobbies has been a concept-driven approach. “The joinery and furniture, finishes, carpet pattern and colours are part of an overall language related to the existing architecture and the site’s position in Melbourne.” The rooms come with angled mirrors and timber window shutters that follow a triangular motif repeated on the exterior of the building, while the carpet has plenty of pyramidical shapes to keep you connecting the dots.  Fabric-panelled bedside tables hint at Parisian life, as does the soft, metallic triangular form of the minibars.   “It’s about telling the story of Melbourne and connecting to the notion of ‘Frenchness’,” and France’s affluence and royalty through the use of sophisticated materials, Leung says.  The striking deep-blue armchair and footrest in the rooms draw on the French flag, with the royal blue venerating Saint Martin.   Photographic works by Jon Rendell and Claire Ropartz have been added across the hotel, their black-and-white form highlighting the elegance of both Melbourne and Paris, purposefully tricking the eye with subtle differences in streetscapes. “That was the intention of this project, to not make the imagery so obvious but to have those staying at the hotel ask the question, ‘Is this a street scene from Paris or Melbourne?” Ropartz says. Ropartz, who moved to Melbourne from Paris in 2008 and is now an Australian citizen, says the collaborative project shines a light on Melbourne’s “French quarter”, from retail to art and culture. “I focus on local businesses in Flinders Lane for some of my photographs, from Alpha 60 to Craft Victoria and Chanel,” she says. “What I love about Melbourne is that so many people here relate to Paris and have a good understanding of Europe because they have travelled multiple times. “I don’t think the same can be said for Parisians visiting Melbourne. But I do love Australians’ understanding of French culture.” The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate