Things to see and do Kiev

Located in the park of the Second World War Museum and inaugurated in 1992, this imposing 62 m long sculpture dominates the Dnieper. It represents the mother country stretching a sword and a shield towards the sky with the emblem of the USSR. With its pedestal, its height reaches 102 m, so it is one of the great landmarks of the city and a tutelary silhouette of the Kiev panorama.

One of the most famous cathedrals of Ukraine under the patronage of UNESCO. It derives its name from the Byzantine basilica of Sainte-Sophie in Istanbul (today a museum after being transformed into mosques by the Ottomans). Founded in 1037 by Prince Yaroslav Mudriy and remaniée on several occasions, it is a superb testimony to Baroque art. Scientists consider it a perfect model of the synthesis of the arts that reflects the glory and grandeur of Kiev Rus. It was erected in the th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, and for a long time was the centre of the religious, political, cultural and social life of ancient Rus. It was the crowning place of princes and reception of foreign ambassadors. The first library created in Eastern Europe took place in the Cathedral. The Sarcophage sarcophagus is exposed in the temple on the left side. It has become an essential figure in the history of the city and even of Russia. He was a great diplomat and his daughter Anna became Queen of France around 1050. Byzantine mosaics of the th century are preserved partially, but what remains and absolutely exceptional. There are 177 different colour tones. The central apse is dominated by the mosaic of the Virgin praying, which is said to protect Kiev. The museum and the main tower can also be visited. From the top of the tower (76 m) opens a 360-degree panorama on Kiev. In front of the church is a statue of Bohdan Khmelnytsky.

A central place and symbol of the Orange Revolution and Euromaïdan, Maïdan Nezalezhnosti also applies to its Soviet-style monumental architecture. The whole place and its buildings dates back to the 1950 s. The square is out of the road and the inhabitants of Kiev enjoy walking there all season, alone or with friends, with a beer on the benches ready and there on the square. Today, in the south-east part of the square, not far from the point where the streets Mykhailiivska, Sofiyska, Mala Zhytomyrska and Tarasa Shevchenko are the ancient Lyadskie doors that have recently been reconstructed on the foundations of the old. In the middle of the square, we also see the column of independence. The square cuts the main avenue in Kiev, Khreshchatyk street. This 1,5-km long street has existed for 200 years, but it was completely destroyed during the Second world war. In September 1941, at the beginning of Nazi occupation, the Soviet secret services minèrent all the Immeubles buildings in order to kill the Germans who lived there. From old Khreshchatyk, there are now only a few houses, such as the group of buildings between No. 40 and No. 52 of the street, dating from the second half of the th century. The street was actually rebuilt after the war in Empire style and presents itself as a real masterpiece of Stalinist architecture. The best is to walk here during the weekend when the Khreshchatyk is closed to the traffic of cars and transforms into a gigantic pedestrian area.

Founded in 1108 by Prince Sviatopolk, the cathedral to the golden domes is a symbolic monument for Ukrainians because it is dedicated to angel Mykhaïl, the prince of angels. Its majestic domes encouraged the warriors defending the Russia of Kiev against the invaders from the th century. We note at the entrance of the frescoes representing the ancient city. In the th century the relics of Saint Barbara were transferred here, one can always see them on the left. Like dozens of other churches, Saint-Mykhaïl was destroyed by communists in the 1930 s. Its reconstruction according to the original plans was completed in 2000-2001. Now gold domes are again watching Kiev. On the left of the church you can see a monument to the victims of the great famine of 1931 and 1933. Indeed, in the 1930 s, Stalin began to eliminate the rich farmers, the koulaks, whose Ukraine was particularly full. He decided to decimate the Ukrainian people by famine. We can see on the front of the church, three groups of statues: on the left, André represents the beginning of the Christian religion in the first century; in Olga, the first "converted" to Christianity of Kiev Rus; on the right, St Cyril and St Methodius.

Between 1862 and 1890 the Church of St. Vladimir, devoted to the prince who moved Kiev Rus from Paganism to Christianity, presents characteristic features of Byzantine style. The reasons for conversion of Kyiv Rus to Christianity in Byzantium are numerous: need a marriage with the sister of the Byzantine emperors, diplomatic relations between Byzantium and the Kev Rus, need to unify the state with a religion. Vladimir having conquered the town of Chersonèse, it was there that he received baptism in 988. By entering right, one can see Olga, Vladimir's grandmother who had already converted to Christianity and Vladimir. Within the church itself, two paintings draw attention to: on the right of the nave the baptism of Vladimir, and left the baptism of the Kiéviens, thrown into the waters of the Dnipro. The relics of Saint Macari are exposed. According to legend, he was in the process of saying mass when the "enemies" (history does not say which), arrived. The entire people took refuge in the wood and could be saved. Macari has been massacred. It was through his prayers and the mass that he was celebrating, that the village was saved. His sacrifice went to posterity. Finally, before exiting the church, don't forget to lift your eyes before crossing the door of the nave, to see a magnificent table representing the last Judgment.

Located in one of the main streets of the city, the Gothic Cathedral Saint-Nicolas was built in 1899 by the architect Horodetsky. This original Gothic building is distinguished in the city by its two long and wavy towers. Catholic religious services take place every week. It also hosts organ concerts.

Designed by architect Vladislav Horodetsky in 1901-1903, he is one of the most curious buildings in the city in modern style. According to legend, Horodetsky built the house in memory of his daughter who, because of a romantic disappointment, committed suicide by entering the Dnieper. There are sculptures of animals and mythical figures on the roof as on the facade. The work of the architect and artists is particularly applied and meticulous, these are real stories telling us through these decorations. Today the house is used as a state residence.

Zoo, children's paradise. Thanks to recent renovations, animals now have more space. An artificial river has been created for bears so that they can catch fish. Coup de coeur: the small farm where babies are wandering in freedom.

From the height of the metro Poshtova Plosha by descending towards the south the border of the Dnieper is extremely woody. A succession of parks offers beautiful walks. At the bottom of Khreshchatyk Street, a trail leads to the park of the same name where one of the most impressive, and least aesthetic, sculptures in Kiev is found. It is the arc of friendship, erected in 1982 and dedicated to the union of Russia and Ukraine. In the middle, two statues representing two Russian and Ukrainian workers bear in their hands the symbol of friendship among peoples. At night this arc shines from different colors like a rainbow. The arc is on a panoramic terrace from which you can see the Podil, the Dnieper and the neighbourhoods on the other side of the Dnieper.

Located on a hill on the banks of the Dnieper River, this monumental park is the memorial site for the victims of the Second World War. The heart of the park is the Victory Obelisk, erected in 1957 at the foot of which is the monument to the unknown soldier.

In 2003, the monument to the Holodomor, the great famine caused by Stalin that claimed the lives of millions of Ukrainians (between 2.6 and 5 million depending on sources) between 1932-1933, was added to the ensemble. Holdomor literally means "extermination by hunger", a genocide of Russification not recognized by the UN.

This museum, inaugurated in 2006, was conceived as a place for the creation and promotion of Ukrainian culture. It regularly hosts and organizes exhibitions and shows, the most famous of which is the Salon du Livre de l'Arsenal. The museum is undoubtedly the country's first contemporary cultural centre.

It's a park where you can ride horseback, take a riding tour, play tennis or sunbathe on the river Dnieper. The water is of a dubious cleanliness so take advantage of the view.

If the cliff where the great poet is buried has become a natural reserve, another large natural reserve, which also participated in Kaniv's reputation, is located 15 km south of the city. Established in 1923, this reserve is one of the oldest in Ukraine. Its territory represents 2 049 ha and one can walk along the Dnieper, its tributaries, and observe the Kruglik and Chelestov islands that wind in the middle of the Dnieper. The hills of the reserve offer various very interesting prehistoric and geological phenomena. There is a very famous phenomenon in the geologists universe: kaniviennes dislocations. These are old rocks distorted by the action of a cooler that has been in existence for 200 000 years. These old rocks allow to observe many traces of the Paleolithic. Finally, there are 974 species of natural plants and all kinds of animals. The reserve also hosts a natural history museum comprising four sections: zoos, geological, botanic and archaeological. Kiev students in natural history regularly go there for excavations.

In Ukraine, film studios are still called Dovjenko, in tribute to the famous Ukrainian director. The tour of studios for movie lovers is a real treat.

A pine park. Squirrels come to eat you in your hand.

Located on the river Dnieper, a park with greenery, rides, pop-corn and beards to Papa…

Collection of bones of dinosaurs, shark teeth, mongoose hairs and a small aquarium.

International travel and educational tourism.

Travel specialist in Ukraine: cruises, accommodation in Kiev and Crimea, French guides.