A Giant Ferris Wheel Sparkles in the City of Light

Visitors to Paris should not hesitate to head to the Place de la Concorde before February 16, 2014. That's because the giant Ferris wheel called 'La Grande Roue' will be up and active only until then. After that date, the Ferris wheel will be taken down and stored until next November. The ride to the very top of the enormous wheel provides a breathtaking and unique view of the City of Light, making it a must-see for anyone in Paris.

Guests staying at one of the Sister Hotels Champs-Elysées are in close proximity to La Grande Roue, which is located in the center of the Place to the Concorde, right at the eastern end of the Champs-Elysées in the 8th arrondissement. La Grande Roue has a long and storied history in Paris, having first been constructed in 1900 for that year's World's Fair.

When it was first built, the Grande Roue weighed 400 metric tons, composed of 40 carriages that could each carry 30 people. In fact, the carriages were so big that they were used as homes for citizens in need after France was ravaged by World War I. Other parts of the Ferris wheel were used for spare metal. Although it was dismantled in 1937, La Grande Roue remained the largest Ferris wheel ever to be constructed until the Cosmo Clock 21 was revealed in Japan in 1989.

In honor of the former Grande Roue, a new Ferris wheel is installed at Place de la Concorde every year when the winter chill begins to hit the air. This new version of the ride has existed for 20 years. Because of its large size and prominent location, the ride cannot be kept up all year round. Instead, it is enjoyed during the winter months, when its bright lights can illuminate the sky and compliment the numerous Christmas lights that decorate the entire city. A ride on La Grande Roue costs 10 euros (5 euros for children under 12), and a view from the 65-meter-high summit is priceless.