September 27, 2002
32. Paris Père Pompidou? (Guest Writer: Dad)
Tried to show that The Grand Arche, Arc de Triomphe, and the obelisk lined up. The traffic and smog made it impossible, so for the last time, there they are. Enjoy or delete!
The Arc de Triomphe was built to celebrate Napoleon's victories. It was started in 1806 and completed in 1864. In Nov. 1920 the body of the Unkown Soldier was laid to rest and the Arc is used for Remembrance Day ceremonies. We climbed to the top, 284 steps. We didn't have the digital with us so no pictures from the top. The view, however, was tremendous! We could almost see England. There are 12 roads around the circle with about 7 lanes or as many as the drivers make. The traffic weaves in and out and everyone makes their way in and out .
The Pompidou Center houses Europe's best collection of modern art. It has everything from a urinal laying on it's back, to furniture hanging from the ceiling, pottery, to Picasso. The guts of the building are on the outside. The escalators are red, the air conditioning ducts are blue, green for plumbing, white for framework and yellow for electrical. This work of art is called LOVE.
The vase is nice though.
Near the center there is a fountain called Homage to Stravinsky. It was designed by Jean Tingley and each fountain represents one of his scores. Which one does this represent?
Not too far away there is a mall, Les Halles, built mostly underground. It has gardens outside.
and in the square there is this head and hand.
In 1632, Richelieu commisioned Jacques Lemercier to build a building known as the Cardinal's Palace. It was inhabited by Louis XIII, Louis XIV, Philippe Of Orleans, then finally to Louis-Philippe of Orleans. Louis-Philippe was always broke, so around the 3 sides of the garden he built apartments over the shops on ground level. This became the favourite spot of Parisians to rest. After the revolution Palais-Royale became a gambling house. In 1801 Napoleon used it for offices and in 1807 it became the Exchange and commercial court.
In the 11 Century the Vincennes Forest was acquired and in the 12 C Philippe Auguste built a manor and Louis IX added a Chapel. From the 16C to 1784 it was used as a prison, 1738 to 1756 housed a porcelain factory, and a military establishment under Louis-Philippe. In 1944 the retreating German army damaged the King's and the Queens pavilions.It now is being restored and houses military offices.
In 1214 a chapel dedicated to St. Agnes was built here, and re-dedicated to St-Eustache a few years later. The Halles parish, becoming the largest in Paris, wanted a church that was richer and more majestic. It was started in 1532 and consecrated in 1637.
Eglise St-Germain-des Pres was once part of a chain across Europe of Benedictine abbys. It was founded in the 8C, sacked and rebuilt 4 times in 40 years. It is the oldest church in Paris and all that remains of the abby.
St-Philippe was erected between 1774 ahd 1784.
Eglise St-Roche was started in 1653 by Louis XIV. Bullet holes still can be seen from a bloody battle in 1795. Those buried in the church include playwright Corneille, philosopher Diderot and garden designer Le Notre.
Lets take a quick revisit to Versailles. In the parks the pedestrian areas are gravel. There are invitations to go on the grass in a couple of parks. You can notice that in these photos
At 1530 the fountains came alive, along with classical music
Once again, Dad has filled in for me in writing the travel log. Be sure to thank him. Guess which tune the Stravinsky fountain represents!
Posted by The Inaccurate Tourist at September 27, 2002 12:00 PM