Many people know that Marseille Soap is a kind of old-fashioned soap made from all natural ingredients in the Marseille region of Southern France. The origins of this very traditional soap go back to the 17th century.
There are many companies that produce the soap, but the one you are most likely to spot in Paris is this one: La Compagnie de Provence - Savon de Marseille.
In addition to making all natural, uncolored, unscented soap,
this company also excels with its beautiful packaging! The liquid soap pump bottles are especially cute items that you'll want to put in your bathroom.
(They sell scents such as olive & lavender, fig, grapefruit, cherry, and rose at a price of 12.90 for 500 ml.)
Of course, they also offer smaller bars of soap and tubes of the liquid soap, as well as candles, making it a great place to pick up a few souvenirs.

La Compagnie de Provence
Savon de Marseille
address : 16 rue Vignon 75009
Tel : 01 42 68 01 60
Metro : Madeleine Lines 8, 12, and 14, then a 1 minute walk
Open : 10:30-14:00, 14:30-19:00
Holydays : Sundays
Web : www.lcdpmarseille.com

This is the Center for Information, Documentation, and Exhibition for Urban Planning and Architecture of Paris, established in 1988. It's a pretty difficult name to wrap your head around, but in short it means that this is a place where you can come to understand Paris's past, present, and its future. The permanent exhibit Paris, visite guide" introduces you to the ways in which the city has changed from the Middle Ages to today, and how events have shaped it. Because there are many photographs, drawing, and models, it's not a problem even if you don't understand French. You'll see the plans for La Défense, the recently constructed Musee du quai Branly, the Passerelle Simone-de-Beauvoir,

plans for the upcoming remodeling of the Les Halles shopping center, and many other fascinating items. It's a place we recommend to everyone, even if you don't have any particular interest in architecture or town planning. And since you can even see what some of the exhibits include in a video, please be sure to check it out

Pavillon de l'Arsenal
Center for Information, Documentation, and Exhibition for Urban Planning and Architecture of Paris
Adresse : 21 Boulevard Morland 75004
Metro : Sully Morland Line 7, with no walking
Bastille Lines 1, 5, 8, then a 4 minute walk
Tel : 01 42 76 33 97
Business Hours : Permanent Exhibits
Tuesday-Saturday 10:30-18:30
Sunday 11:00-19:00
Reference Room
Tuesday-Friday 14:00-18:30
Close : Mondays
Fees : Free
Web : www.pavillon-arsenal.com

This is an image of the Grand Gallery of Evolution (Grande Galerie de l'Evolution) from the National Museum of Natural History which inherited a huge collection from the zoology gallery that was built into a corner of the botanical gardens in 1889, the same year the Eiffel Tower was constructed. The museum reopened in 1994 and now boasts a total area of 6000 m2 and exhibits of 7000 different types of flora and fauna. As soon as you enter, you will be overwhelmed by the enormous skeleton of a whale.

The ground and first floors deal with Biological Diversity , the second floor is Mankind's Effect on Biology , and the third is themed Biological Evolution . The biggest highlight is the legion of taxidermied animals lined up like a parade, with a huge mammoth at the head. You'll also notice that the exhibit methods are done in very interesting ways, like you would expect from the French. There are rare and extinct animals that have been put on display, and this is a big part of the museum's history.

You should definitely check out the Room of Extinct and Endangered Species.
It's a wonderfully complete museum of natural history, but don't forget to enjoy the beautiful late-19th century architecture, like the high, glass ceiling. And, of course it's a place the whole family can enjoy. On nice days, head out to the botanical garden, and try some of the excellent mint tea on the terrace of the Mosquee de Paris next door.

National Museum of Natural History - Grand Gallery of Evolution
Adresse : Jardin des Plantes - 36, rue Geoffroy Saint Hilaire 75005
Metro : Censier Daubenton line 7, or Place Monge line 7, then a 3 minute walk
Tel : 01 40 79 54 79
Open : 10:00-18:00
Close : Tuesdays, May 1st
Fees : Gen. Adm. 8, Ages 4-13 6, Ages 3 and under Free
Paris Museum Pass : No
Web : www.mnhn.fr