Night Sky - Paris Trivia Quiz

The Bois de Vincennes is a large public park located in the eastern part of Paris, covering over 2000 acres. Originally a royal hunting ground for King Louis XIII in the 17th century, it was transformed into a public park in the mid-19th century by Emperor Napoleon III. Today, it is the second-largest green space in Paris, offering a contrasting retreat from the busy city. The park features a variety of landscapes, including dense woodlands, lakes, and meadows, making it a popular spot to relax.

In addition to its natural beauty, the Bois de Vincennes is home to several notable attractions. These include the Château de Vincennes, a medieval fortress with a moat and a large keep, and the Parc Floral de Paris, a botanical garden showcasing a wide array of flowers and plants. The park also hosts the Bois de Vincennes Zoo, which was renovated between 2010 and 2014, and offers a variety of cultural events and festivals throughout the year.

Orly Airport is Paris' second-largest airport, located south of the city and serving as a major hub for domestic and European flights. Opened in 1932, it predates Charles de Gaulle Airport and was once the primary international airport for all of France. Today, it operates primarily as a regional and low-cost carrier hub (like Ryanair or Wizzair) while still handling a significant number of international flights.

Situated approximately 13 kilometers from the Paris downtown, the airport lies between the communes of Orly and Villeneuve-le-Roi. Its proximity to central Paris and access to transportation make it a convenient choice for many travellers, and its modernized, yet still low-cost terminals provide a seamless blend of functionality and comfort.

Les Invalides is a grand complex in Paris, originally built in the late 17th century by King Louis XIV as a home for wounded soldiers (which is where we get the English word for 'invalids'). Today, it is best known for its magnificent golden-domed church, the Dôme des Invalides, which houses the tomb of exiled Emperor Napoleon I. Completed in 1840, Napoleon's tomb is a striking sarcophagus of red quartzite set on a green granite base, surrounded by bas-reliefs depicting his achievements. The site reflects the grandeur and legacy of France's military history, making it a place of both reverence and national pride.

Located in the 7th arrondissement, Les Invalides sits along the left bank of the Seine River, near the Champ de Mars and the Eiffel Tower. Its expansive esplanade and gardens create a dramatic approach to the building, while its position in central Paris places it within walking distance of other notable landmarks. The complex also houses the Musée de l'Armée, which offers an extensive collection of military artifacts and exhibits, further cementing its role as a cultural and historical treasure.

Standing like a shimmering guardian over the heart of Paris, or perhaps a glaring iron eyesore above all the other buildings, the Eiffel Tower is a beacon and one of Paris' most-recognized landmarks. Its iron lattice rises majestically above the cityscape, a masterpiece that catches both sunlight and starlight. By day, it's a geometric marvel against the Parisian sky; by night, it transforms into a glittering spectacle, its thousands of (copyrighted) lights dancing like fireflies in celebration of the City of Light. Nestled along the Seine, its reflections shine in the water and lend an air of magic to every stroll along the nearby Champ de Mars or the gardens of Trocadéro.

The Eiffel Tower is located on the Champ de Mars, a sprawling rectangular green space that can be found easily in the dark in the 7th arrondissement, near the Seine River. Built for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution, it was initially controversial but soon became a symbol of France's engineering ingenuity. The tower stands 330 meters tall and offers stunning views from its three observation levels. Its central position makes it accessible from key Parisian landmarks, such as the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe.

The Bois de Boulogne is a large public park located on the western edge of Paris, covering around 2100 acres. It was created in the mid-19th century by Emperor Napoleon III as part of a vast urban redesign of Paris by the landscape architect Jean-Charles Alphand. Originally intended as a recreational area for Parisians, it was modeled after English gardens, featuring lakes, forests, and meadows. It is the largest green space in the city.

The Bois de Boulogne is also home to several notable attractions, including the Jardin d'Acclimatation, an amusement park that has been in operation since 1860, and the Fondation Louis Vuitton, a modern art museum housed in a striking building designed by architect Frank Gehry. The park contains two large lakes, where visitors can rent rowboats, and the Parc des Princes, the stadium for the Paris Saint-Germain football team.

The Grande Arche de la Défense is a striking modern monument that serves as the centerpiece of La Défense, Paris's major suburban business district. Completed in 1989, it was designed by Danish architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen to commemorate the bicentennial of the French Revolution. The structure, a 110-meter-high hollow cube, apparently symbolizes humanity's aspirations and openness. Its clean lines, pure white colour, and monumental scale stand in some contrast to the classical Arc de Triomphe, forming a symbolic and literal extension of the historic Axe Historique of Paris.

Located in the western suburbs of Paris, the Grande Arche anchors the bustling La Défense area, a hub of commerce and innovation. Directly along the Av. Charles de Gaulle from the classic Arc de Triomphe, it is just a short ride from central Paris. It's actually a building which houses offices, a viewing terrace, and cultural spaces, all the while offering panoramic views of the city and the historic axis that stretches all the way down to the Louvre. Its blend of modernity and accessibility makes it a distinctive landmark that bridges the past and present of Paris.

The Arc de Triomphe is one of Paris's most iconic landmarks, steeped in history and symbolism. Commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon Bonaparte after his victory at Austerlitz, it was intended to honour the French army and celebrate their military achievements. Since the monument took thirty years to complete, it was finally inaugurated in 1836 under King Louis-Philippe. Designed by architect Jean Chalgrin, the Arc features intricate bas-reliefs depicting pivotal moments from French military history, such as the Battle of Aboukir and the Departure of the Volunteers. At its base lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, added in 1921, with an eternal flame commemorating those who died in World War I and subsequent conflicts. This flame is rekindled daily in a moving ceremony.

The Arc de Triomphe stands majestically at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, forming the centerpiece of Place Charles de Gaulle, a massive traffic circle where twelve avenues converge radially. In our map, you should notice the convergence of spokes of light, like a star. Therefore, this location, formerly known as Place de l'Étoile (star), symbolizes its central role in Parisian life and urban planning. The monument offers sweeping panoramic views of the city from its viewing platform, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and La Défense.

The Louvre Museum is one of the most renowned and visited art museums in the world, celebrated for its vast collection and iconic architecture. Originally a royal palace, it became a public museum in 1793 during the French Revolution. Today, the Louvre houses over 35,000 works of art, including masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", the ancient Greek statue "Venus de Milo", and "The Winged Victory of Samothrace". Its glass pyramid entrance, designed by architect I. M. Pei and inaugurated in 1989, has become a modern symbol of the museum's ability to keep reinventing itself.

Located right in the heart of Paris, the Louvre sits along the right bank of the Seine River in the 1st arrondissement. It is part of the historic Axe Historique and is surrounded by landmarks like the Tuileries Garden (the dark rectangle on the map to the west) and the Place de la Concorde. Easily accessible by the metro, the museum is a central and essential destination for art lovers and tourists.

Père-Lachaise Cemetery is one of the most famous and enchanting resting places in the world, renowned for its serene beauty and historical significance. Opened in 1804, it was the first garden cemetery in Paris, designed to reflect a peaceful, park-like atmosphere. Visitors can wander among its many winding paths, intricate tombs, and grand mausoleums, paying homage to the many luminaries buried there. Interred there are people like poet Oscar Wilde, singer Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison of The Doors, and composer Frédéric Chopin. These draw in thousands of tourists every year.

Located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, Père-Lachaise stretches across 44 hectares on the eastern edge of the city. Its elevated position offers a nice view of parts of the city. Accessible via several metro stations, it is an easily reachable destination for those seeking a quieter, reflective escape from the city's bustling streets. At night, its residents do not turn on their lights making it a dark square in the well-lit city.

Charles de Gaulle Airport, which is sometimes referred to as Roissy Airport, is the largest and busiest airport in France, serving as a major international hub for travellers from around the globe. Opened in 1974, it was named after Charles de Gaulle, the French general and statesman. The airport boasts three main terminals and an impressive network of runways, accommodating millions of passengers annually. It is a central hub for Air France connecting Paris to virtually every corner of the world.

Located approximately 25 kilometers northeast of central Paris, Charles de Gaulle Airport lies between the townships of Roissy-en-France and Tremblay-en-France. It is well-connected to the city by various transportation options, including a train line, buses, and taxis. Despite being outside the city proper, its efficient links ensure that travellers can easily reach the famous iconic landmarks that they came to see in Paris in about an hour. Its strategic location also makes it a key player in global air travel and logistics.