Guidebook for Melbourne

Donna
Guidebook for Melbourne

Drinks & Nightlife

Classy but relaxed rooftop bar with a view over the stunning Parliament building. Classic 'old school' Melbourne with a left bank Parisian/European vibe - if you can find it!
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Siglo
161 Spring St
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Classy but relaxed rooftop bar with a view over the stunning Parliament building. Classic 'old school' Melbourne with a left bank Parisian/European vibe - if you can find it!
Quirky rooftop bar with a 'tennis in the garden anyone?' theme. Also has an indoors area for rainy days. Seriously sinful cocktails (Madame Brussels was a high class madam indeed) and garden food to match - try a fairy cake or two! Another fun place and as is typical of many of the best things in Melbourne - it's a little hard to find!
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Madame Brussels
59 Bourke St
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Quirky rooftop bar with a 'tennis in the garden anyone?' theme. Also has an indoors area for rainy days. Seriously sinful cocktails (Madame Brussels was a high class madam indeed) and garden food to match - try a fairy cake or two! Another fun place and as is typical of many of the best things in Melbourne - it's a little hard to find!
High Victoriana meets modern day Melbourne. Some say Melbourne is made of gold and the money (and gold) certainly flowed in the heady days of the 1850's when Melbourne was purportedly the world's wealthiest city. Drinks and something to eat in this saloon style bar with a difference! And don't forget to check out the tropical rooftop bar in the evenings! This is one 'hellofa' crazy building.
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The Carlton Club
193 Bourke St
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High Victoriana meets modern day Melbourne. Some say Melbourne is made of gold and the money (and gold) certainly flowed in the heady days of the 1850's when Melbourne was purportedly the world's wealthiest city. Drinks and something to eat in this saloon style bar with a difference! And don't forget to check out the tropical rooftop bar in the evenings! This is one 'hellofa' crazy building.
Tiny Paris Cat located down a laneway, is another of the inner city's hidden gems. With a Parisian 'left bank' vibe and a lively program of entertainment, this is another Melbourne Institution. Make sure to book ahead!
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Paris Cat Jazz Club
6 Goldie Pl
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Tiny Paris Cat located down a laneway, is another of the inner city's hidden gems. With a Parisian 'left bank' vibe and a lively program of entertainment, this is another Melbourne Institution. Make sure to book ahead!

Food Scene

A Melbourne institution since the early 1950's when Pellegrini's purportedly brought the first espresso machine to Melbourne. Relaxed, original 1950's cafe vibe with honest Italian fare till late. Checkered vinyl floors, faded photos from all those years ago, and red vinyl stools create a comfortable atmosphere where locals and tourists mingle and chat. Look out for my favourite picture - kangaroos on the beach!
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Charlie's Bar
71 Hardware Lane
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A Melbourne institution since the early 1950's when Pellegrini's purportedly brought the first espresso machine to Melbourne. Relaxed, original 1950's cafe vibe with honest Italian fare till late. Checkered vinyl floors, faded photos from all those years ago, and red vinyl stools create a comfortable atmosphere where locals and tourists mingle and chat. Look out for my favourite picture - kangaroos on the beach!
Great range of gourmet food supplies including take home meals from the chefs at the famous European restaurant nearby. The sandwich bar offers a daily menu and rolls are made to order. Try the blue swimmer crab omelette! Gelateria Primavera serves up hand churned artisan gelati and sorbetti, cold press juices and coffee. Ice cream flavours include: cardamom, turmeric and pistachio; fior di latte; and salted caramel and chili. Look for the underground fromagerie with its stunning array of internationally and locally sourced cheeses! Open from 7am-till late
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Spring Street Grocer
157 Spring St
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Great range of gourmet food supplies including take home meals from the chefs at the famous European restaurant nearby. The sandwich bar offers a daily menu and rolls are made to order. Try the blue swimmer crab omelette! Gelateria Primavera serves up hand churned artisan gelati and sorbetti, cold press juices and coffee. Ice cream flavours include: cardamom, turmeric and pistachio; fior di latte; and salted caramel and chili. Look for the underground fromagerie with its stunning array of internationally and locally sourced cheeses! Open from 7am-till late
With three excellent venues in the Bourke St/Spring Street precinct, the European has gained iconic status amongst Melbournians and visitors alike. This 'last bastion' of old school Melbourne serves honest, simple food, sourcing only the best produce from Australia and Europe. This institution is a must visit, even if it’s just for one of the city's finest coffees. Reminiscent of old world Europe, The European menu and decor references the traditions of rural France, Italy and Spain. Classy but relaxed, it's open early for breakfast at 7.30am and dinner until late, 7 days a week.
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The European
161 Spring St
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With three excellent venues in the Bourke St/Spring Street precinct, the European has gained iconic status amongst Melbournians and visitors alike. This 'last bastion' of old school Melbourne serves honest, simple food, sourcing only the best produce from Australia and Europe. This institution is a must visit, even if it’s just for one of the city's finest coffees. Reminiscent of old world Europe, The European menu and decor references the traditions of rural France, Italy and Spain. Classy but relaxed, it's open early for breakfast at 7.30am and dinner until late, 7 days a week.
Originally opened in 1928, you'll find this classic Italian fine dining institution above Florentino Grill and nearby Grossi's Cellar Bar. Grossi Florentino has recently had a more contemporary makeover by architects Mills Gorman, who also designed the interiors at chef and owner Guy Grossi’s other Bourke Street eatery, Ombra salumi bar. The grand dining room references the Renaissance era, with dark wood tables, tall leather upholstered chairs, black marble and large murals plastered across the walls - and discreet, professional service to match. Perfect for a special night or maybe that's just how you roll every night!
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Florentino
80 Bourke St
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Originally opened in 1928, you'll find this classic Italian fine dining institution above Florentino Grill and nearby Grossi's Cellar Bar. Grossi Florentino has recently had a more contemporary makeover by architects Mills Gorman, who also designed the interiors at chef and owner Guy Grossi’s other Bourke Street eatery, Ombra salumi bar. The grand dining room references the Renaissance era, with dark wood tables, tall leather upholstered chairs, black marble and large murals plastered across the walls - and discreet, professional service to match. Perfect for a special night or maybe that's just how you roll every night!
Chinatown is a distinctive and well known area of Melbourne which dates back to the gold rush days of the 1850s. Chinatown Melbourne is the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the western world. Food recommendations include: Hutong Dumpling Bar is an institution - but you'll also find everything here from Sichuan food to Beijing Duck. Some of the best are in the laneways off Little Bourke St so don't be afraid to explore the lanes for hidden gems. China Red, Flower Drum (special night out), Longrain, Rice Paper Scissors, and Ling Nam are all highly rated. For drinks look for Section 8 in Tattersalls Lane, Double Happiness (Communist themed), or New Gold Mountain.
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Chinatown Precinct
35 Market Ln
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Chinatown is a distinctive and well known area of Melbourne which dates back to the gold rush days of the 1850s. Chinatown Melbourne is the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the western world. Food recommendations include: Hutong Dumpling Bar is an institution - but you'll also find everything here from Sichuan food to Beijing Duck. Some of the best are in the laneways off Little Bourke St so don't be afraid to explore the lanes for hidden gems. China Red, Flower Drum (special night out), Longrain, Rice Paper Scissors, and Ling Nam are all highly rated. For drinks look for Section 8 in Tattersalls Lane, Double Happiness (Communist themed), or New Gold Mountain.
Pure South Dining’s focus is on produce from Tasmania, Flinders Island and King Island. The restaurant emphasizes cultivating personal relationships with farmers in order to maintain highest standards, and this philosophy will remain central to the restaurant’s mission when it reopens later in December 2016. Meanwhile try 7000 for the same great food. 7000 relates to the postcodes of the region - Tasmania, Flinders and King Islands. Open from lunch until late for dinner. Great for those wanting to try some of the best of Australian produce, and pre theatre dinner.
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Pure South Dining
3 Southgate Ave
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Pure South Dining’s focus is on produce from Tasmania, Flinders Island and King Island. The restaurant emphasizes cultivating personal relationships with farmers in order to maintain highest standards, and this philosophy will remain central to the restaurant’s mission when it reopens later in December 2016. Meanwhile try 7000 for the same great food. 7000 relates to the postcodes of the region - Tasmania, Flinders and King Islands. Open from lunch until late for dinner. Great for those wanting to try some of the best of Australian produce, and pre theatre dinner.
Without a doubt this is my favourite speciality coffee place - coffee made with love and hard labour. Look for the fantastic wall art by street artist Adnate - you'll see more of his work in Hosier Lane up high on a building and he's been hard at work painting wheat silos in the Victorian farmlands. Coffee is pumped 7am-4pm and pastries are available. Closed weekends and its standing room only.
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Axil Coffee Roasters
322 Burwood Rd
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Without a doubt this is my favourite speciality coffee place - coffee made with love and hard labour. Look for the fantastic wall art by street artist Adnate - you'll see more of his work in Hosier Lane up high on a building and he's been hard at work painting wheat silos in the Victorian farmlands. Coffee is pumped 7am-4pm and pastries are available. Closed weekends and its standing room only.
One of the city's best speciality coffee shops. Standing room only and the interior evokes the old fashioned nostalgia of an Airstream caravan! These guys do filtered and espresso styles. Closed Sundays. Mon-Fri 7am-5pm. Saturday from 8am-5pm.
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Traveller Coffee
14 Crossley St
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One of the city's best speciality coffee shops. Standing room only and the interior evokes the old fashioned nostalgia of an Airstream caravan! These guys do filtered and espresso styles. Closed Sundays. Mon-Fri 7am-5pm. Saturday from 8am-5pm.
Open from 7.30am this is one of Melbourne's stalwarts serving specialty coffees, and it's right at the 'front door' in the laneway! Head chef Sean Muir, has injected a hint of Asian flare, with the hot duck roll a standout come lunchtime. Owner Lloyd Smith explains: “We wanted to create a simple but yummy menu at honest prices – not like your run-of-the-mill city cafe – where people can eat and enjoy themselves.”
Oli & Levi Cafe
20 Coromandel Pl
Open from 7.30am this is one of Melbourne's stalwarts serving specialty coffees, and it's right at the 'front door' in the laneway! Head chef Sean Muir, has injected a hint of Asian flare, with the hot duck roll a standout come lunchtime. Owner Lloyd Smith explains: “We wanted to create a simple but yummy menu at honest prices – not like your run-of-the-mill city cafe – where people can eat and enjoy themselves.”

Parks & Nature

Stunning gardens a short walk away for sightseeing or just some relaxing 'time out'. Includes Cooks Cottage, the Scar Tree and a miniature medieval English village set in lush Victorian era style gardens. The Conservatory is a must see with 5 changes of display a year. When you need a break there are two cafe/restaurants set in the gardens!
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Fitzroy Gardens Playground
Wellington Parade
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Stunning gardens a short walk away for sightseeing or just some relaxing 'time out'. Includes Cooks Cottage, the Scar Tree and a miniature medieval English village set in lush Victorian era style gardens. The Conservatory is a must see with 5 changes of display a year. When you need a break there are two cafe/restaurants set in the gardens!
Take a ride on a gondola or just stroll in these beautiful world class gardens. Look for Guilfoyle’s Volcano built in 1876. It was originally used to store water for the botanic gardens and has recently been restored as part of a significant landscape development project called Working Wetlands. This spectacular and historic water reservoir has commanding views of the city, and its striking landscape design showcases low water use plants. Boardwalks and viewing platforms give visitors the opportunity to explore this long-hidden but remarkable feature of Melbourne Gardens. Tired and hungry? Try Jardin Tan for excellent coffee and food or the cafe/restaurant by the lake.
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Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
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Take a ride on a gondola or just stroll in these beautiful world class gardens. Look for Guilfoyle’s Volcano built in 1876. It was originally used to store water for the botanic gardens and has recently been restored as part of a significant landscape development project called Working Wetlands. This spectacular and historic water reservoir has commanding views of the city, and its striking landscape design showcases low water use plants. Boardwalks and viewing platforms give visitors the opportunity to explore this long-hidden but remarkable feature of Melbourne Gardens. Tired and hungry? Try Jardin Tan for excellent coffee and food or the cafe/restaurant by the lake.

Arts & Culture

Designed by 19-year-old architect JJ Clark, the Old Treasury Building was built to house the gold bullion discovered during Victoria’s 1850s gold rush. The colony’s leaders worked from offices in the grand palazzo-style building until the 1870s, and the Old Treasury now houses a collection of rare historic documents highlighting key moments from Victoria’s history. A highlight is the caretakers cottage in the basement. Its a free museum and well worth checking out just a short walk away! Open 10am-4pm 6 days a week (closed Saturday)
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Old Treasury Building
20 Spring Street
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Designed by 19-year-old architect JJ Clark, the Old Treasury Building was built to house the gold bullion discovered during Victoria’s 1850s gold rush. The colony’s leaders worked from offices in the grand palazzo-style building until the 1870s, and the Old Treasury now houses a collection of rare historic documents highlighting key moments from Victoria’s history. A highlight is the caretakers cottage in the basement. Its a free museum and well worth checking out just a short walk away! Open 10am-4pm 6 days a week (closed Saturday)
Architecturally interesting building featuring the 'water wall' entry and the world's largest stained glass ceiling by Australian artist Leonard French. The magnificent Great Hall ceiling is high (13.72 metres), vast (60.9 x 15.24 metres) and so heavy with glass and steel that its downward projecting triangles need to be held up by a series of slim steel columns. The gallery represents a range of international and local artworks - as well as traveling 'blockbuster' exhibitions. For refreshments - try Persimmon, the Gallery Kitchen or the Tea Room. The Gallery shop is a good option for special gifts to take home.
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National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Rd
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Architecturally interesting building featuring the 'water wall' entry and the world's largest stained glass ceiling by Australian artist Leonard French. The magnificent Great Hall ceiling is high (13.72 metres), vast (60.9 x 15.24 metres) and so heavy with glass and steel that its downward projecting triangles need to be held up by a series of slim steel columns. The gallery represents a range of international and local artworks - as well as traveling 'blockbuster' exhibitions. For refreshments - try Persimmon, the Gallery Kitchen or the Tea Room. The Gallery shop is a good option for special gifts to take home.
Melbourne's cultural 'heart' and the place to eat, meet friends, watch the big screen, relax in the sun or catch an exhibition. The city's main transport hub and the Information Centre are also here in a fantastic architecturally unique precinct. At special times of the year - Christmas for example - you'll find a whole lot more going on including digital light shows. In winter a skating rink is set up down by the river.
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Federation Square
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Melbourne's cultural 'heart' and the place to eat, meet friends, watch the big screen, relax in the sun or catch an exhibition. The city's main transport hub and the Information Centre are also here in a fantastic architecturally unique precinct. At special times of the year - Christmas for example - you'll find a whole lot more going on including digital light shows. In winter a skating rink is set up down by the river.
Beautiful Hamer Hall on the Yarra River is Arts Centre Melbourne's premier venue for orchestra and chamber music. It seats 2,661. Hamer Hall stages a variety of performances, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, jazz, cabaret, pop, comedy and gala film events. There's usually something for everyone here and the performances are world class in a newly renovated performance space.
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Hamer Hall, Melbourne
100 St Kilda Rd
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Beautiful Hamer Hall on the Yarra River is Arts Centre Melbourne's premier venue for orchestra and chamber music. It seats 2,661. Hamer Hall stages a variety of performances, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, jazz, cabaret, pop, comedy and gala film events. There's usually something for everyone here and the performances are world class in a newly renovated performance space.
Superb architecture, coffee shop and book shop all in a library! A Melbourne landmark and cultural icon, the State Library is a magnificent 19th-century building with some of the city’s most beautiful heritage interiors. Don't miss the La Trobe Reading Room's domed ceiling - a library highlight.
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State Library Victoria
328 Swanston St
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Superb architecture, coffee shop and book shop all in a library! A Melbourne landmark and cultural icon, the State Library is a magnificent 19th-century building with some of the city’s most beautiful heritage interiors. Don't miss the La Trobe Reading Room's domed ceiling - a library highlight.

Essentials

Large supermarket/grocery store with everything you may need. A little hard to find in the basement of QV under the Food Court so just ask someone! You'll also find Big W there for everyday homewares, electrical, some hardware, shoes, cosmetics and clothing.
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Woolworths QV
Swanston Street
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Large supermarket/grocery store with everything you may need. A little hard to find in the basement of QV under the Food Court so just ask someone! You'll also find Big W there for everyday homewares, electrical, some hardware, shoes, cosmetics and clothing.

Getting Around

Key transport hub for trains to suburban locations. Tram stops are out front on Flinders and Swanston Streets. The city's main Information Centre is just across the road in Federation Square for tour bookings and more. To get to regional cities for day tripping you will need to go to Southern Cross Station a short walk or tram ride away. Don't forget that all trams in the downtown area are FREE!! Just jump on/jump off.
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Flinders Street Railway Station
Flinders Street
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Key transport hub for trains to suburban locations. Tram stops are out front on Flinders and Swanston Streets. The city's main Information Centre is just across the road in Federation Square for tour bookings and more. To get to regional cities for day tripping you will need to go to Southern Cross Station a short walk or tram ride away. Don't forget that all trams in the downtown area are FREE!! Just jump on/jump off.
Fancy a day trip to Geelong or one of Melbourne's other beautiful regional cities? Its all very easy with a Myki transport card (buy at 7 Eleven or the station) and is a relatively inexpensive and very comfortable way to travel. Sit back and enjoy the train ride! There are regular trains to most cities but check timetables online or at the Velocity or PTV ticketing and info centres in the station.
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Southern Cross Station
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Fancy a day trip to Geelong or one of Melbourne's other beautiful regional cities? Its all very easy with a Myki transport card (buy at 7 Eleven or the station) and is a relatively inexpensive and very comfortable way to travel. Sit back and enjoy the train ride! There are regular trains to most cities but check timetables online or at the Velocity or PTV ticketing and info centres in the station.

Sightseeing

Vibrantly coloured beach boxes all-in-a-row on the waterfront are a must see! Uber or train from Flinders Street Station.
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Brighton Bathing Boxes
Esplanade
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Vibrantly coloured beach boxes all-in-a-row on the waterfront are a must see! Uber or train from Flinders Street Station.
St Kilda offers some of the best of everything that Melbourne has to offer. Take a picture in front of iconic Luna Park, eat some of the tempting offerings from the Jewish cake shops along Acland Street, visit a gallery or just relax by the beach with a wine and something to eat. Try the Chocolate Kugelhouf at Monarch Cakes or the delicious Polish Baked Cheesecake (made to a 100 year old recipe) Palm Leaves (Palmiers) Continental Custard Vanilla, Poppy Seed Delight or Lemon Tart. The Community Gardens are also worth a visit. Get to St Kilda on the 96 (from any stop on Bourke St) or 16 tram from Swanston St near corner Bourke St.
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Playa de St Kilda
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St Kilda offers some of the best of everything that Melbourne has to offer. Take a picture in front of iconic Luna Park, eat some of the tempting offerings from the Jewish cake shops along Acland Street, visit a gallery or just relax by the beach with a wine and something to eat. Try the Chocolate Kugelhouf at Monarch Cakes or the delicious Polish Baked Cheesecake (made to a 100 year old recipe) Palm Leaves (Palmiers) Continental Custard Vanilla, Poppy Seed Delight or Lemon Tart. The Community Gardens are also worth a visit. Get to St Kilda on the 96 (from any stop on Bourke St) or 16 tram from Swanston St near corner Bourke St.
The most extraordinary feature of the Shrine is the Ray of Light which shines on the word LOVE on the Stone of Remembrance at 11am on the 11th of November every year to mark the hour and day of the Armistice which ended World War I. From the top the views are fantastic - straight down through the heart of the city. Opening hours are 10am-5pm daily.
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Shrine of Remembrance
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The most extraordinary feature of the Shrine is the Ray of Light which shines on the word LOVE on the Stone of Remembrance at 11am on the 11th of November every year to mark the hour and day of the Armistice which ended World War I. From the top the views are fantastic - straight down through the heart of the city. Opening hours are 10am-5pm daily.