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  • Paris Capitale - Haussmann

    Haussmann “Paris Metamorphosed: The Napoleonic Era and the Haussmannian Works ” Haussmann building During his London exile in 1848, Napoleon III was marked by the architecture of certain districts of the English capital. In 1850, he declared “Paris is indeed the heart of France; let us make all our efforts to beautify this great city, to improve the lot of its inhabitants. Let's open new streets, let's clean up the popular neighborhoods which lack air and daylight, and let the beneficial light of the sun penetrate our walls everywhere. » The city suffered from unsanitary conditions, narrow and poorly lit streets, as well as epidemics. To accomplish this colossal task, he chose Georges-Eugène Haussmann. The prefect Georges Eugène Haussmann opened new streets, created boulevards, improved sanitation and traffic. The work will initially focus on the roads. A total of 64 kilometers of avenues or boulevards were created by Prefect Haussmann. Champs-Elysees avenue The Arc de Triomphe dominates the Avenue. Prestigious names that make the whole world dream and who will enchant your stay! Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Saint Laurent, Fouquet's. The Petits and Grand Palais, Place de la Concorde and its Obelisk, the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre. Avenue Foch Its sumptuous buildings and mansions hide the secrets of the rich and powerful, financiers, socialites and aristocrats. Boulevard Saint-Germain The boulevard is renowned for its Parisian charm, its elegant Haussmann buildings, its traditional cafés and its elegant boutiques. Boulevard Haussmann This is where the famous department stores are located, such as Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. Opera Avenue This avenue, lined with Haussmannian buildings, offers a magnificent view of the Opéra Garnier. Boulevard Saint-Michel Boulevard Saint-Michel is close to several prestigious academic institutions including the Sorbonne and the Collège de France. Rivoli Street Its buildings are typical of 19th century neoclassical architecture. It houses a variety of historic stores (BHV – Samaritaine). Sebastopol Boulevard Created to facilitate north-south traffic, it is one of Haussmann's achievements. Haussmannian buildings Haussmann profoundly transformed the capital, notably by introducing a typical architectural style. ​ Haussmannian buildings, constructed under the direction of Georges Eugène Haussmann in Paris, exhibit several distinctive architectural features. ​ Haussmann buildings are generally high, with six to seven floors. ​ They have a uniform appearance, with cut stone facades and wrought iron balconies. ​ Projecting cornices and decorative moldings are common on Haussmann buildings. ​ They highlight the floors and add a touch of elegance. ​ Arched windows, also called “basket handle windows”, are typical of Haussmann buildings. They bring light and charm to interiors. ​ Most Haussmann buildings have an interior courtyard, often decorated with gardens or fountains. This made it possible to improve the ventilation and brightness of the apartments. ​ There are around 75,000 Haussmann-style buildings. ​ The majority of these buildings were built after Haussmann's departure, between 1870 and 1920. ​ Haussmann transformed the urban fabric of Paris by creating wide avenues and straight streets. ​ Haussmannian buildings are lined up along these streets, creating a harmonious aesthetic. ​ Haussmann buildings embody the elegance and style of 19th century Paris, and they are still appreciated for their timeless beauty. ​ These paths are all testimonies to Haussmann's lasting legacy on the configuration of Paris. Haussmannian Apartments

  • Paris Capitale - Bois de Vincennes

    Bois de Vincennes In 1857, Napoleon III entrusted Adolphe Alphand with a vast development and beautification plan that was particularly difficult to carry out due to the location of the firing ranges and maneuver camps of the military fort in the middle of the woods. Floral Park The Temple of Love Parc Floral The Bois de Vincennes was developed to the east of Paris from 1857 and represents an area of 995 hectares, three times larger than the area of Central Park. ​ The Bois de Vincennes had a more popular vocation compared to the Bois de Boulogne oriented towards a place of prestige and worldliness. ​ The Bois de Vincennes was annexed to Paris in 1860. ​ Adolphe Alphand retained the general order of the main roads, but transformed the lawns and empty spaces into an English park style by connecting them by winding paths, thus creating a picturesque and pleasant environment for walkers and visitors. Paris Zoological Park Vincennes castle In the heart of the Bois de Vincennes, appear four lakes created or redeveloped during the Second Empire. ​ Lake Gravelle was built under the direction of Adolphe Alphand, during the development of the Bois de Vincennes in the 1860s. ​ The sector did not originally include any hydraulic network, the lake was dug to ensure the irrigation of other bodies of water and made it possible to push back the waters of the Marne and therefore to regulate floods. ​ Lake Daumesnil was created in 1864, under the supervision of Adolphe Alphand. It was designed as a space for relaxation and recreation, with islands, promenades, and boats for visitors to rent. Lake Daumesnil is shaped like a horseshoe, with two islands in the center. ​ Lake Saint-Mandé was created in 1866. It was used to supply water to Lake Daumesnil. Banks and rest areas have been created around the lake. ​ Lac des Minimes already existed before the Second Empire, but it was redeveloped at that time. Bridges, walkways, and green spaces have been added around the lake. It was mainly used for fishing and walks. ​ These four lakes contributed to the beauty and appeal of the Bois de Vincennes during the Second Empire, providing Parisians with places for relaxation and leisure in the heart of the city. ​ The Bois de Vincennes offers a magnificent castle built under Philippe VI then Charles V and embellished under Louis XIV. Originally, this castle had eight enclosure towers. ​ Napoleon I transformed the castle into an arsenal in 1808 and razed the eight enclosure towers apart from the so-called village tower. Arboretum de Breuil In 1867, the Breuil Arboretum, a horticultural educational establishment in the city of Paris, was created under the leadership of Prefect Haussmann. Originally located near Porte Daumesnil, it was transferred in 1936 to the south-east of Bois de Vincennes and named “Ecole Du Breuil”, in homage to its first director. This arboretum covers an area of ​​13 hectares and presents a collection of 1200 trees. Open to all, it is also a place of learning for students of the Du Breuil horticulture school and agents of the city of Paris. Paris Zoological Park The Bois de Vincennes offers its visitors the Paris Zoological Park This 14-hectare park (formerly “Vincennes Zoo”) was created in 1934. After two and a half works, the new park was inaugurated in April 2014. The park is now organized into 5 sectors or “biozones” – Patagonia, Sahel/Sudan, Europe, Guyana, Madagascar – which each exhibit various plant landscapes associated with the 180 species of animals presented. The new architectural and landscaping designs followed the principle of immersing visitors and animals in environments evoking the original ecosystems and giving an essential role to plants. More than 170,000 plants and 2,200 trees, representing 870 species, were planted, representing a 40% increase in the planted area. One of the challenges to be overcome was the evocation of tropical landscapes with hardy plant species in the Parisian climate. In addition, a large tropical greenhouse of 4000 m² and 16 m high was built to house part of the Guyanese and Malagasy sectors. It was planted with 3800 plants including some sub-adult trees. Parc Floral The Floral Park was inaugurated in April 1969. It took 15 months (from September 1967 to April 1969) to develop it. With its 31 hectares, it is the largest green space created in Paris since the end of the Second Empire. It is still the largest park in Paris today. Its landscape architect was Daniel Collin, a horticultural engineer who graduated in 1934 from the National School of Horticulture in Versailles. He had 28 pavilions created to host horticultural exhibitions from different countries. These 28 pavilions still exist. We owe the influence of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games to the Japanese inspiration still perceptible in the architecture of the roofs, pavilions and covered walkways. ​ In 1998, the Floral Park was united with the arboretum of the Breuil school, the Bagatelle park and the Auteuil greenhouse garden. From this union was born the “Paris Botanical Garden” where cultural and educational functions are highlighted. ​ The zoological park and the floral park, both more recently created, today constitute the most visited places in the Bois de Vincennes.

  • Paris Capitale - Pasasge Verdeau

    Passage Verdeau Passage Verdeau connects 6, rue de la Grange Batelière to 31, bis rue du Faubourg Montmartre 75009 Paris. It was designed by the architect François Jean Delannoy. Passage Verdeau was inaugurated in 1847. The passage measures approximately 75 meters long by 3.75 meters wide and is characterized by a wrought iron glass roof which lets in natural light. It is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Weekends from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • Paris Capitale - Passage Jouffroy

    Passage Jouffroy Passage Jouffroy connects 10-12, boulevard Montmartre and 9, rue de la Grange Batelière 75009 Paris. It was designed by architects François-Hippolyte Destailleur and Romain de Bourges. Passage Jouffroy was inaugurated in 1845. It is the first Parisian passageway built entirely of metal and glass, except for the decorative elements which are made of wood. It is also the first passage heated by the ground. The Grévin Museum, inaugurated on January 10, 1882, offers a gallery of wax figures. It measures 140 meters long and 4 meters wide. It is open every day from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

  • Paris Capitale - Passage du Bourg-l'Abbé

    Passage du Bourg-l'Abbé Le Passage du Bourg-l’Abbé is located at 3, rue de Palestro and 120, rue Saint-Denis - 75002 Paris. The Bourg-l’Abbé passage was inaugurated in 1828. It was built by the architect Auguste Lusson between the Passage du Grand-Cerf and the Passage de l’Ancre (which still exists but is not covered). Inspired by the Saucède passage, which disappeared with the opening of the rue de Turbigo, the Bourg-l'Abbé passage was once larger. During the construction of Boulevard de Sébastopol in 1854 and the opening of Rue de Palestro, the passage has been shortened. The current entrance decorated with caryatids symbolizing commerce and industry is the work of architect Henri Blondel. The caryatids were sculpted by Aimé Millet. The passage is topped by a luminous glass roof and has colorful facades and wooded windows. It measures 47 meters long and 3 meters wide. It is open Monday to Saturday between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

  • Paris Capitale - Bois de boulogne

    Bois de Boulogne Under Napoleon III, the development of the Bois de Boulogne in Paris was an ambitious project. Bagatelle Grande Cascade The Bois de Boulogne is located to the west of Paris. ​ Its area is 845 hectares, or 2.5 times larger than the area of ​​Central Park. ​ In 1852, Napoleon III ceded ownership of the Bois de Boulogne to the city of Paris. ​ The city was responsible for developing this green space in four years and entrusted the work to the architect Jacques Hittorff and the landscaper Louis-Sulpice Varé . The emperor wanted a river similar to the Serpentine in Hyde Park in London. ​ Varé forgot the 6 meter difference in height in his project, which would have dried up the upper part and flooded the lower part. ​ Adolphe Alphand, engineer, took over and remodeled the floors and reliefs. ​ He teamed up with landscaper Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps to transform the Varé river into two lakes. ​ Alphand created an English-style landscape with winding paths, ponds, artificial rivers and groups of rockeries. ​ The Bois de Boulogne has become an emblematic green space of Paris thanks to these carefully carried out developments.

  • Paris Capitale - Shangri-La Paris

    Shangri-La Paris Located at 10, avenue d'Iéna, Paris 16th facing the Seine and the Eiffel Tower, in a former residence of Prince Bonaparte. ​ This establishment was inaugurated in 2010. ​ Rooms decorated with touches of Asian and European Empire inspiration, equipped with separate living rooms and marble bathrooms. ​ Shangri-La Paris offers a spa and indoor swimming pool. ​ Unforgettable culinary experiences Two restaurants, including one with a Michelin star. ​ Renowned for its Asian hospitality and its French art of living. ​

  • Le Panthéon | Paris Capitale

    The pantheon King Louis 15, in gratitude for the cure of an illness which had almost taken his life in 1744, had a new church built for the Sainte-Geneviève abbey on the Sainte-Geneviève mountain. ​ The work was entrusted to the architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot and began in 1757. ​ The Constituent Assembly decided in 1791 to transform the Sainte-Geneviève church into the Pantheon of great men. ​ Soufflot being dead, the architect Quatremère de Qincy was contacted. ​ This blocks all the low windows - hence the current blind walls - in order to give the building a more funerary appearance. ​ Mirabeau is the first personality buried in the Pantheon, followed by Voltaire and Rousseau. Although the church was returned to worship in 1806, the crypt retains its function as a burial place for great men. ​ The Pantheon regained its definitive function when Victor Hugo was buried there in 1885. ​ Among the 81 personalities buried in his crypt are many soldiers, writers, scientists, politicians, resistance fighters including Emile Zola, Léon Gambetta, Jean Jaurès, Jean Moulin, Pierre and Marie Curie, André Malraux and Pierre Brossolette .

  • Paris Capitale - Jardin des Plantes - Paris

    Garden of plants Formerly called the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants, it was created in May 1635 by decision of Louis XIII with the aim of training future doctors and apothecaries. The Jardin des Plantes is located at 57, rue Cuvier Paris 5th covering an area of 27 hectares. Jardin des Plantes Great Gallery of Evolution The Jardin des Plantes de Paris has a fascinating history dating back to the 17th century. The initial estate included a castle and land near the Seine. It has evolved into a place of research, education and discovery for visitors from around the world. The Jardin des Plantes was officially inaugurated in 1640 after five years of work and necessary sowing. This historic park is a true botanical and cultural treasure, where the beauty of nature blends with a passion for science. It was designed as a place for walking open to the public, but above all as a space for observing and studying nature. Garden of plants Great Greenhouses Japanese Garden The Jardin des Plantes is a beautiful place in Paris, where you can stroll through gardens, visit galleries and observe animals. Great Gallery of Evolution Explore the diversity of life and the evolution of species in this iconic gallery. Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy Gallery Immerse yourself in the world of fossils and comparative anatomy. Geology and Mineralogy Gallery Discover the geological and mineralogical treasures in this fascinating gallery. Menagerie, Jardin des Plantes zoo Meet fascinating animals, like the recently arrived red pandas. Large Greenhouses of the Jardin des Plantes Explore greenhouses housing a variety of exotic and tropical plants.

  • Paris Capitale - Arc de Triomphe

    The Arc de T riomphe The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon I to celebrate the military victories of the French Empire. ​ Construction of the Arc de Triomphe began in 1806 and was completed in 1836 during the reign of Louis-Philippe. ​ The work lasted approximately 30 years, due to interruptions linked to the Napoleonic wars. ​ The Arc de Triomphe was officially inaugurated on July 29, 1836 by King Louis-Philippe I. ​ The Arc de Triomphe is approximately 50 meters high, 45 meters wide and 22 meters deep. It is constructed of cut stone and decorated with intricate and detailed carvings, including bas-reliefs depicting the battles of the French Empire, as well as ornaments such as garlands, crowns and imperial symbols. ​ Under its vault lies the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a poignant tribute to the soldiers who died for France. ​ The Arc de Triomphe is a powerful symbol of French national identity and a witness to the history and greatness of France.

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