The District of Columbia was established by the congress in 1790. George Washington was the one who chose Washington as the federal’s capital. The city planning was conceived by Washington himself and Thomas Jefferson, as well as the French urban-planning expert Pierre L’Enfant.

Try to come to DC in springtime, when thousands of cherry trees are in their utmost bloom. Yet you have the whole year to come visit the impressive monuments, the imposing federal buildings, and – of course – the White House. Here, everything is impregnated with The History of The United States.

To locate in the most touristic part of the city :

The city-centre is articulated around the Mall, a long park dominated in its centre by the Washington Monument’s obelisk. At both of the Mall’s extremities you can find the Lincoln Memorial (in the west) and the Capitol (in the east). The White House is located to the Monument’s north, while the Jefferson Memorial is in the south, with the same arrangement in straight line.

There are numerous excursions to do in the city and its surroundings :

The Capitol
Remarkable through its white dome and its marble construction. You will be able to have an outline of the American legislative operation system.

Smithsonian Institution
“The Attic of the Nation”, abounding in memories. The “Spirit of Saint Louis”, the plane of the first Trans-Atlantic solitary flight by Lindbergh is kept in the building of the Air and Space. More than 30.000 works are conserved safely in the National Gallery of Art.
The Smithsonian Institution buildings are aligned one after another on the Mall, between the Monument and the Capitol.

Washington Monument
You will be accompanied by commentaries as the elevator rises to the top of this 555 feet high marble obelisk.

Lincoln Memorial
a 19 feet tall marble statue of “The Great Liberator”, seizing life, facing the Monument of Washington, opposite to a long and gleaming water basin.

The White House
The well-known building with neo-classical architecture, in which all the presidents except George Washington (who proposed the idea of the building) have chosen to reside.

National Archives
Here we can see the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and a big number of historically very valuable documents.

Vietnam Memorial
inaugurated in 1982, on this monument are engraved the 58 245 names of the soldiers who gave their lives in Vietnam War.

Jefferson Memorial
Your promenade brings you then to the Jefferson Memorial, at the edge of the Tidal Basin. This circular building, all constructed of marble, serves as a shelter to the 19 feet tall, bronze statue of the United States’s Third President.

John F. Kennedy Center
The northern bank of the Potomac river is where the dazzling John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is located. The ensemble with crystal chandeliers includes several chambers for opera, ballet, theatre and symphonic concerts. From the rooftop terrace, you will admire the most splendid view towards the town’s landscape.

Three charming places to stroll in Washington DC:

Dupont Circle, a Bohemian lifestyle neighbourhood, full with book and disc selling boutiques, with art galleries, small restaurants and Victorian twinsided houses.

The residential Georgetown, with its narrow and shadowy paved streets, beautiful houses, its bohemian flair and its colonial atmosphere.

Old Alexandria (is actually located in Virginia), where many restorated 18th century houses border the paved streets.


Arlington National Cemetery
On the other side of Potomac river, in Virginia, lies the final resting place of many national heroes. You will see President John F. Kennedy’s tomb, with a flame that burns eternally, next to Jackie Kennedy’s, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the guard is raised every hour.
Dominating the Kennedy’s tomb is the imposing Custis-Lee Manor, residence of General Robert E. Lee.


On Mount Vernon, 15 miles to the south, still in Virginia, you'll discover George Washington's house and the place where he was buried.

If you happen to be in the federal capital in springtime, attending the National Cherry Blossom Festival is certainly a must – its 96th celebration will be held between March 31 and April 15, 2008 (With a parade on April 14). A celebration of 3000 cherry trees, gift from Tokyo to Washington DC in 1912.

a general view to the Federal Capital

from Potomac River to the Capitol Building