The Winged Victory of Samothrace stands tall and proud protecting the staircase and entry to the Olympia Room, home to the department of Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities, much as she may once have stood proud on the island of Smothrace an offering from the people of Rhodes to memorialize a second century BCE Victory. The female figure of Victory is balanced on the prow of the ship with her drapery billowing behind her, highlighting a strong masterful torso, her right hand is cupped in order that all will hear her announcement in the theatre of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods which when in situ she overlooked.



Standing at nearly three and a half meters tall, she was sculpted in the round from one piece of Parian Marble with her arms and wings created separately, the Winged Victory of Samothrace captivates her audience, and moving away from her is like removing oneself from a spell. Once you have seen her you will never forget her, and whether you where a sculpture fan before or not, you will, in one moment, understand what beauty is.

Highlighting the Winged Victory as the must see spot of Paris is of course an incredibly precise choice and really, the entire of the department of Roman, Greek, and Etruscan antiquities is an absolute must when visiting Paris; as are the Egyptian Antiquities; oh, and the Islamic art truly requires a visit but then we have returned to the same problem; a whole week must be dedicated to the Louvre alone, and let's not forget she is just one of Paris's hundreds of Gems.

The Louvre is quite literally the most visited museum in the world with over six million visitors per annum. It opens every day except Tuesdays, from 9am to 6pm with the exception of public holidays, and remains open to 10pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. Located on the right bank of the Seine river, it is accessible by all means of public transport. Accommodation in the vicinity is no problem and as it is at the heart of the city it's a very good option to choose as your base. Paris is not a cheap city to stay in but it is certainly full of quality and luxurious options. Of course there are hotels in abundance with decent ones starting at around $100 per night; but many travelers have been opting in recent years for private apartments. A private apartment will be rented out by the week and will come fully furnished and with a fully equipped kitchen. The move towards self catering is largely due to people's desire for space and privacy, both of which are hard to find in a hotel unless you are in a suite. For the other end of the budget, hostels can be found for around $25 for a bed in a dorm.