Tour Eiffel
This towering edifice was built for the World Fair of 1889; held to commemorate
the centenary of the French Revolution. Named after its designer; Gustave
Eiffel; it stands 320 metres high; and was the world's tallest structure
until 1930. Initially opposed by the city's artistic and literary elite
- who were only affirming their right to disagree with everything - the
tower was almost torn down in 1909; but was spared when it proved an ideal
platform for the antennas needed for the new science of radiotelegraphy.
When you're done peering upwards through the girders; you can visit any
of the three public levels which can be accessed by lift or stairs. Just
south-east of the tower is a grassy expanse that was once the site of the
world's first balloon flights; and which is now used by teens as a skateboarding
arena.
Les Invalides
A vast complex; now encompassing four museums and two churches; Les Invalides
was established as a lodging and hospital for wounded military veterans
in 1670; it once accommodated 7; 000 soldiers. Les Invalides is surmounted
by the soaring gilt cupola of the Dôme Church; and as a building rivals
the Louvre in terms of sheer size and Gallic self-assurance; it's also
the foremost 17th-century landmark in Paris. Of the museums; probably
the most interesting is the Musée de l'Armée; begun in the 1700s; this
military museum is perhaps the most impressive and comprehensive of its
kind in the world. Naturally; a large portion of its two galleries is
devoted to the exploits of the little general from Corsica. You'll see
his death mask and stuffed dog and horse here; as well as uniforms; medals;
and weapons. The rest of the museum is devoted to weapons from the Stone
Age through World War II. Don't miss the secret service anti-personnel
devices; some disguised as rats. Other museums in Les Invalides are the
Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération; which commemorates the WWII French
Resistance movement; and the Musée des Plans-Reliefs; which features military
maps and models of French towns and forts. Also a part of the hospital
wards is the 17th-century St. Louis Church; also known as the "soldiers'
chapel." Originally built as the private chapel of Louis XIV; the Eglise
de Dôme was the Sun King's greatest architectural gift to Paris; it's
also one of the most pompous and stylized houses of worship you'll likely
encounter. Under the gold-leafed dome; which rises 100 meters (330 feet)
above the hospital wings; is Napoleon's Tomb. The emperor's body rests
beneath an elaborate glass-topped gallery in not one but six coffins.
Over the tomb are carvings of victory goddesses; and murals immortalize
Napoleonic words of wisdom. Some of Napoleon's immediate family members;
including brothers; Jerome and Joseph; his son; as well as other French
military leaders; keep him company in death with equally ostentatious
tombs. As a collection of sarcophagi; Les Invalides has few equals; and
the entire building is an oddly riveting monument to grandiloquence.
Must to sees
Musee Rodin : The Musee Auguste Rodin at
77 Rue Varenne is many people's favourite museum. Rooms on two florrs
display extraordinarily vital bronze and marble sculptures by Rodin and
Camille Claudel; including casts of some of Rodin's most celebrated works.
Thre is a delightful garden filled wih sculptures and shade trees out
back.
The Eglise du Dôme : So named because of
its gilded dome; was built between 1677 and 1735 and is considered one
og the finest religious edifices erected during the reign of Louis XIV.
The church's career as a mausoleum for military teaders began in 1800;
and in 1861 it received the remains ofd Napoleon; encased in six concentric
coffins. The buildings on either side of the Cour d'Honneur; the main
courtyard; house the Musee de l'Armee; a huge military museum.
Must to goes
Champs de Mars : The grassy area south-east
of the Eiffel Tower; whose name meanbs Field of Mars was originally a
parade ground for Ecole Militaire; the huge; classical building at the
south-eastern end of the lawns whose graduates include Napoleon. It was
built from 1751 to 1769. In 1783 The Champs de Mars was the site of one
of the world's first balloon flights. During the Revolutionary period;
two important mass ceremonies were held here : the fête de la Federation
and the Fê te de l'Etre suprême of 1794; at which Robespierre presided
over a ceremony that established a Revolutionary state religion.
Back
|