 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Hôtel Berne Opéra - hotel Paris
|
|
|
Champs-Elysées  |
In 1804 Napoleon 1st gave a magnificent reception here on the occasion of his marriage to Marie-Louise. From the end of the 19th century the gardens of the Champs-Elysées welcomed walkers who had come to enjoy the leisures offered by the Avenue that had become a showcase for progress. From the Bal Mabille to the Lido, from the Café des Ambassadeurs to Fouquet's, from the Panorama to the theaters walkers can discover the latest evolutions in technology, industry, automobiles or the cinema. |
|
The Arc de Triomphe |
The Arc de Triomphe was constructed to honour the Great Army in 1836, it is where all military parades take place, beginning with the 1918 victory parade which took place on July 14, 1919.
The Arc de Triomphe with its monumental arch, decorated in bas-relief, with scenes showing the revolutionary period (including the First Empire).
On the right, on the side facing the Champs Elysées will be found "La Marseillaise" by Rude representing the departure of the volunteers to the front in 1792.
On the left side "le Triomphe de Napoléon en 1810" by Cortot.
"La résistance de 1814" and "La Paix de 1815" are on the other sides, modestly turned to the other side of the city.
|
|
To view the Arc de Triomphe up close you can take the underpass from the Champs Elysées or the Avenue de la Grande Armée, which will take you to the center of the square.
From there an elevator will take you to the top, where on clear days, you can see most of Paris.
A small museum presents the history of the Arch. |
|
|
|
Opéra Garnier |
The second empire style became a reference in opera house architecture and the Opéra Garnier has become an illustration of this field.
The theatre is richly decorated.
The great staircase, of which the first ten steps form a magnificent elevator cage, lead to the main foyer which opens onto the boxes with their flowered moldings.
Both inside and out, white stone and the colored marbles with their bronze statues underline the majesty of the proportions.
Marc Chagall created new frescos in 1964.
In the center is an immense crystal chandelier weighing six tons. |
|
Sacré-Cœur |
Built on the Montmartre hill, the Roman-Byzantine Basilica of the Sacred Heart dominates Paris.
It was constructed in devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus after the 1870 disaster; the capture of Paris by the Prussians and the civil war, which steeped the capital in blood. In 1872 the archbishop of Paris gave his approval to a Parisian, Mr. Legentil, to build a sanctuary dedicated to the heart of Jesus-Christ, "true God and real man", present in the Holy Sacrament on display day and night. |
|
Therefore he chose the site where Saint Denis was beheaded in late 3rd century because of his faith. In 1873 the Assemblee Nationale voted a law declaring the building of public interest.
Every parish in France financed the basilica's construction.
Work began in 1875, but unfortunately, with the breakout of the First World War, the consecration planned for 1914 had to be postponed until after the war. |
|
|
|
Madeleine |
The temple built as a monument to the Great Army was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon from the architect Barthelemy Vignon after the construction of the church had been successively taken up by Contant d'Ivry in 1794 on the model of St Louis des Invalides, then by Couture on the model of the Pantheon, before being interrupted between 1790 and 1806.
This stout Greek Temple was constructed in the dimensions required by the Emperor and is supported by Corinthian columns of 30 meters high. |
During the restoration the building became a Catholic church.
The interior is richly decorated and includes Napoleon amongst the saints of Christian history.
Around the church, on every day except Monday, there is a superb flower market.
A vestige of art deco not to be missed - the public toilets on the corner of the Boulevard de la Madeleine! Gourmets the world over visit the famous "Fauchon" on the Northeast corner.
On the sidewalk opposite "Hédiard" and the caviar stores and restaurants complete this gastronomic route. |
|
 |
|
|
