Giza, Egypt

  Giza is one of the most famous places of the world. It is part of the World Heritage since 1979. It was under the Fourth Dynasty that this village on the west bank of the Nile became the royal necropolis of Memphis.

To serve as the tomb of the kings, the Egyptians erected three pyramids in less than a century: the Great Pyramid of Cheops, Chephren Pyramid and the Pyramid of Menkaure. These pyramids are unique in the world, are part of the Seven Wonders of the World.

On the same plate is the famous Sphinx and many other small temples and pyramids.

3000 years after their construction, the pyramids still impress. In the desert, under a cloudless blue sky and bright sunshine, their vastness and perfection perplexing. An enigma surrounding them. Experts estimate that hundreds of thousands of workers worked to build these graves. How the Egyptians of that time could they build such monuments with millimeter precision and of such complexity? This architectural feat remains a mystery. Some are convinced that the pyramids are of supernatural origin. This perfection is opened of the angels, the devil or aliens. Seriously, this is probably the ancient Egyptian belief in eternal life and their desire to be one with the cosmos, which pushed them to build such monuments. They allowed the Egyptians to bring daily offerings to feed the souls of deceased pharaohs.

The three mysterious pyramids

Arrived at the foot of the pyramids, Napoleon Bonaparte during the Egyptian campaign in 1798, delivered the famous "Soldiers, remember that the top of these Pyramids, forty centuries look down upon you." And since then, they still keep their mysteries. 4500 years after their construction, the graves of three great pharaohs continue to fascinate.

Go inside will leave a lasting impression. Through the narrow and steep lanes, discover unsuspected wonders.

The Great Pyramid of Cheops

The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest and the first of the Seven Wonders of the World. One remains amazed by the imposing mass. It measures 146 meters high at its completion to 2570 BC With the passage of time, she lost 9 m. More than two million stone blocks is estimated about 2.5 tons each necessary for its construction. At the base, some of these limestone blocks weigh up to 15 tons. It is thought that 100,000 men participated in the construction.

Inside, the infrastructure of the pyramid is exciting to discover. 20 m from the entrance, a narrow corridor leads to the Grande Galerie, almost 9 m high, which illustrates the scale of the monument. A passage then leads you to the Queen's Chamber. Then you can head to the King's Chamber. Looted 600 years after its construction, it remains only a sarcophagus without a lid. Notice the perfect nesting of granite slabs that form the roof of this room. North and south of this room, two air shafts were designed. According to mythology, these ducts to allow the soul of the Pharaoh rises to the heavens and gain eternal rest.

The solar boat of Khufu Pharaoh was once located within the pyramid. Recovered in pieces at the bottom of a pit, it was rebuilt. She is currently on display at the Solar Boat Museum near the pyramid.

The Pyramid of Khafre

The Pyramid of Khafre is slightly smaller than that of Cheops. It seems greater because it is built on higher ground. She kept her atop limestone casing. The Sphinx is located below the guard of the pyramid. Inside the well-preserved burial chambers, there are still the great granite sarcophagus of Khafre.

The Pyramid of Menkaure

It is the smallest of the three pyramids of Giza. It originally measured 66m. In 1186, the son of Saladin tried to dismantle the pyramid. Today we see the north face a deep gash. Inside, a sloping path leads to a small room and mortuary several rooms whose walls are covered with granite blocks.

Price: 
  
  admission is E £ 20 for an adult and £ 10 E for students. If you want to take pictures, it will cost £ 10 and £ 100 E E to film.

Opening: 

  The Giza Plateau is available from 8 am to 16h to 18h in winter and in summer.
It is possible to visit inside the pyramids (more expensive and at a fixed time). Remember then your flashlight. If you are claustrophobic, this visit you will be painful.
Access is by an information center on the road Cairo-Al-Fayoum.

  The site is accessible by car. From Cairo, you'll get about £ 15 E taxi. But beware, some malicious embobineront Egyptians with their ploys to get you in their shop. Ignore the people who want you to change course or you enter the pyramids without a ticket. A bus leaves from the Egyptian Museum of Cairo every 20 minutes.

Note that climb to the top of the pyramids is strictly forbidden!
  The spectacle of sound and light is not to be missed. Every night you can contemplate the pyramids under the stars and immerse yourself in ancient Pharaonic.