Winged Victory of Samothrace at the Louvre

As one of the most recognizable statues within the Louvre in Paris, France, the Winged Victory of Samothrace is unmissable at the top of the Daru staircase. Also known as Nike of Samothrace, this Greek sculpture dates back to 190 BC and has been on display at the Louvre since 1884.

 

Panthéon in Paris, France

Known as the temple of the French nation, the Pantheon in Paris, France was originally intended as a church to glorify the monarchy. By the time of its completion in 1790, however, the French Revolution had transformed the monument into a temple for distinguished citizens.

Formally declared a mausoleum in 1881, the Pantheon is currently the resting place for over 75 notable French luminaries from Voltaire to Emile Zola to Alexandre Dumas to Pierre and Marie Curie. The rooftop suite from one of my stays in Paris offered this unique view of the landmark.    

 

Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris

Welcome to Phantom Manor in Frontierland at Disneyland Paris in France. Unlike the other haunted mansion attractions at Disney Parks, because of its location in Frontierland, Phantom Manor has incorporated a number of western influences into the design of this ride. 

 

Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant

The Sleeping Beauty Castle (Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant) is the centrepiece of Disneyland Paris in France. Taking inspiration from the original Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland, this larger version is often referred to as a "continuation" of that design. 

With Europe no stranger to authentic castles, some not far from Disneyland Paris, the imagineers decided to reconsider the symbol for what would become their 4th Disneyland park. 

While Sleeping Beauty remained a source of inspiration, the overall look of the castle took on a more animated appearance than those in the United States and Japan. This new castle also included the addition of an animatronic dragon residing in an underground lair, giving this castle at Disneyland Paris a look and feel that was completely unique from the other parks.

 

La Tanière du Dragon at Disneyland Paris

Located beneath the castle at Disneyland Paris in France, La Tanière du Dragon (the Dragon's Lair) is a walk through attraction that features an animatronic dragon that awakes and puffs smoke at passersby. This unique dragon addition is one of the main elements that sets the castle at Disneyland Paris apart from all of the other parks.