European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 14, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                >3ou de Doris 3$jjjeka$ifli9saas>siisftiisgissisi?f. Mgt a a the main tourist office in Paris is at 12 7 Avenue Des champs ulysees near the arc Detriomphe. It is open year round from 9 . To 8 ., except on Jan. 1, May 1 and dec. 25. A a i. A tots of information in English a Good map of the City and a weekly Magazine called Alio Paris that lists what s going on in the City Are available for free. So is an extensive list of hotel rooms in the City and surrounding area. The staff can help make reservations but charges a fee of Between 18 and 55 francs about $3.20-$9.85depending on the number of stars for the hotel selected. There Are also tourist offices at the City s train stations with Shorter hours and at die Eiffel Tower during summer months Only. The main office s Telephone number is 47-23-61-72 and its fax number is 4723-56-91. Following Are opening hours and admission prices for some of the major sights. Hours May vary depending on the season. A Eiffel Tower 9 30 . To 11 , daily. 51 francs for the elevator to the third level 34 to the second and 17 to the first reduced rates for Ages 4-11, and under 4 Are free. A arc Detriomphe 10 . To 5  Daily except holidays. There is no charge for Access to the Arch but for the elevator or Steps to the platform on top it costs 31 francs 17 for Ages 1825, groups of More than 25 and Over age 60, 6 francs forages 7-17 and free for under 6. A notre dime 8 . To 7  Daily closed from 12 30-2  Closed on sunday 15 minutes before mass. Towers Are open from 10 . To 5  Admission is 31 francs 17 for Over age 60, and 6 francs for Ages 7-17. There is also a fee to enter the Church Treasury. A Ste. Chapelle 10 . To 4 45  General admission is 25 francs 14 for Over age 60, and 6 for Ages 7-17. Joint tickets Are also sold for the Church and the nearby concierge Rie. A Sacre Coeur basilica.6 45 . To 11  Elevator to dome open 9 . To 6 ., 7  In summer costs 15 francs 8 for children and senior citizens crypt 10 francs 5 for Ages 6-16, students younger than 25 and for groups greater than 10. A pantheon 10 . To 5 30  Admission is 25 francs 14 for students 1825 and Over age 60 and 6 for Ages 7-17. A the louvre museum 9 . To 6  And until 10  On mondays and inside the Muste d orsay. Wednesdays. Closed on tuesdays. Admission is 31 francs 16 francs for Ages 18-25 and Over 60. Half Price on sundays. Under 18 is free. A Musee d orsay 10 . To 6  On tuesday wednesday Friday and saturday 9 . To 6  on sunday 10 . To 9 45 on thursday closed on monday. Admission is 31 francs and 16 for Ages 18-24 and Over 60 under 18 Are free. Guided Tours Cost 30 francs per person. A Centre Georges Pompidou open 10 . To 10  Monday through Friday noon to 10  On weekends and holidays closed on tuesday no admission fee to the Center or for the escalator to the roof. Those planning to visit several museums should look into buying a museum pass called a carte muses it gives direct admission to 60 museums in Paris and environs no waiting in line to buy tickets and costs 55 francs for one Day 110 for two and 160 for three. It is sold at museums monuments metro stations and tourist offices. A John Taylor Ilse pantheon final resting place for French notables a Short stroll South of the lie de la cite and notre Dame is the pantheon Paris secular Cathedral. It sits in the Center of a semicircular Square designed by the same architect who planned the Monument giving the pantheon and its surroundings a visual Harmony. Inside Are the tombs of some of France s military and cultural greats a Victor Hugo Voltaire Jean Jacques Rousseau Emile Zola and Louis braille. The crypt where these greats tie is open to visitors but the main part of the pantheon with its huge dome is not. The Iron used to reinforce the masonry when the building was constructed in the 18th Century is rusting causing the Stone to splinter and chunks to break off. The government is trying to figure out Bow to solve the problem but a guard predicted it would be another five years before the entire building would reopen. Until then visitors must be Content with staring up at the inside of the impressive dome and admiring the massive murals on the Walls from a Small area near an Entrance to the crypt or with examining a cutaway Model of the building in an adjoining room near the pantheon is St. Etienne do Mont a Church better known by locals than by tourists its flamboyant Interior holds the relies of Ste. Genevieve the Patron Saint of Paris Genevieve is credited with rallying the parisians in 451 by assuring them divine intervention would save the City from invading huns. She became a heroine when the huns turned South. Just to prove it was t a Fluke 10 years later she helped break a siege of Paris by the Franks by bringing in boats loaded with food from outlying farm areas without being detected. In 1793, Genevieve s Bones were burned and the ashes thrown into the Seine but nine years later the remains of her Tomb were discovered and moved to a Glass enclosure inside the Church where they remain tod.1y. A John Taylor 10 strips Magazine january 14, 1993