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Paris [2010]
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From Lutetia to the Napoleon Bonaparte Empire, from the declaration of the Republic to the Paris Commune: Paris was right at the heart of events that marked French history and shaped its present.
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In the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, the Arènes de Lutèce amphitheatre and the Cluny public baths were constructed. The baths were supplied with water from an aqueduct alongside the Bièvre, a river which has since been buried under the city. These buildings reflect a lifestyle which was typically Roman. In 280, the city was destroyed by barbarian invaders. Lutetia was renamed Paris in the 4th century. In 451, an event took place which made the history books: the nun Saint-Geneviève succeeded in diverting the course of Attila the Hun and his army who wanted to take the city. She became the patron saint of Paris.
Previous page: View from the Pont Saint-Michel (Bridge) Next page: Rue Saint-Michel Des Arts (Street)
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After the death of Henry II of France in 1559, his widow Catherine de’ Medici (1519-1589) planned a new palace. She began building the palace of Tuileries in 1564, using architect Philibert de l’Orme. The name derives from the tile kilns or tuileries which previously occupied the site. The palace was formed by a range of long, narrow buildings with high roofs that enclosed one major and two minor courtyards. The building was greatly enlarged in the 1600s, so that the southeast corner of the Tuileries joined the Louvre. It is the most central park in Paris, stretching its French style alleys and lawns along the Seine river right bank from the Louvre museum to the Concorde square, with beautiful basins and statues. Renovated and separated from car traffic, the Tuileries Gardens are part of a spectacular Paris perspective. They connect the Louvre Palace to the Arc de Triomphe on a 5 kilometer long straight line through Place de la Concorde and Champs Elysees. A five century-long effort by the Kings of France to embellish their Louvre palace and the city of Paris.
Previous page: View from the Jardins des Tuilleries (Gardens), facing the Eiffel Tower and leaving the Louvre Museum behind.
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Next page: The Louvre Museum (Sully Wing & The Pyramid)
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Above: The Louvre Museum (Richelieu Wing & Small Pyramid) Next page: L’Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel (Arch)
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In 508, Clovis, king of the Franks, made Paris the capital of his kingdom. In the 8th century, the centre of the Carolingian Empire shifted to the Northeast. Yet the city took on a new dimension under Hugues Capet. Capet, Count of Paris was elected King of France in 987 and founded a new dynsasty, the Capetians. Then Louis VI, known as Louis the Fat, built a fortification, the Châtelet, around the rebuilt GrandPont (currently the Pont au change). The construction of Notre-Dame cathedral began in 1163 (and was completed in 1345). Then, Philippe Auguste, a great urban planner, left his mark on Paris by surrounding it with walls and building the fortress of the Louvre. Paris is consecrated capital under his reign. In the 13th century, Paris was the most populated (approximately 200,000 inhabitants) and the richest city in the West. Up to this period the city was governed by one man, the King’s provost. In 1268, the powerful boatmen’s guild adopted its motto, « Fluctuat nec mergitur » (the boat is beaten by the waves but does not sink), which later became that of Paris. In the 14th century, the municipality enjoyed real authority, yet over the following centuries was regularly brought to heel by the royal powers. In the 15th century, Paris was occupied by the English for sixteen years.
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Next page: Notre-Dame
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The Eiffel Tower, which was built by the engineer Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, comprises three floors and is 317 metres high. On top are radio and television transmitters serving Paris. The lift machinery located below ground level in the west and east pillars was installed in 1899, and is strangely reminiscent of the imaginary world of Jules Verne. This space is not currently open to visitors. [1st floor: 57 metres | 2nd floor: 115 metres | 3rd floor: 276 metres] The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is known in France as La plus belle avenue du monde. The avenue runs for two kilometres through the 8th arrondissement in northwestern Paris, from the Place de la Concorde in the east, with the Obelisk of Luxor, to the Place Charles de Gaulle (formerly the Place de l’Étoile) in the west, location of the Arc de Triomphe. The Champs-Élysées forms part of the Axe historique. One of the principal tourist destinations in Paris, the lower part of the ChampsÉlysées is bordered by greenery (Carré Marigny) and by buildings such as the Théâtre Marigny and the Grand Palais (containing the Palais de la Découverte). The Élysée Palace is slightly to the north, but not on the avenue itself. Further to the west, the avenue is lined with cinemas, cafés and restaurants (most notably Fouquet’s), and luxury specialty shops. The Champs-Élysées ends at the Arc de Triomphe, built by Napoleon Bonaparte to honour his victories.
Previous page: Eiffel Tower On the Left: Champs-Elysées, view from the Eiffel Tower Next page: Eiffel Tower (cover photo) Back cover: Champs-Elysées Page 19
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