St-Germain-des-Prés was originally a little market town formed around the abbey of St. Germain. At that time, it consisted mostly of fields worked by the Benedictine monks. The church, which dates from the era, shelters the tombs of the Merovingians and St. Germain, bishop of Paris. The current building has been reconstructed and added to over the years, starting in 990 after the Norman raids. The abbey gave a piece of its land along the Seine to the University Pré-aux-Clercs. Marguerite de Valois, Henry IV's first wife, also managed to get a piece of the Pré-aux-Clercs, where she built an enormous mansion Boulevard St-Germain des Prés overlooking the Seine. She got the land under the condition that the banks of the river would have the name "Malacquis" (ill-gotten) - the name has since been transformed into "Malaquais". Many big statesmen lived here around the end of the 17th century, and their mansions and courtyards are today the seat of many governmental ministries.
After the Revolution, the neighbourhood would not come back into style until after the Second World War. Ultimately, it came to be known as a center of intellectualism; the Café de Flore and the Deux Magots were popular hangouts for such minds as Vian, Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir.
After the Revolution, the neighbourhood would not come back into style until after the Second World War. Ultimately, it came to be known as a center of intellectualism; the Café de Flore and the Deux Magots were popular hangouts for such minds as Vian, Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir.
Palais du Luxembourg
The Luxembourg Palace was built for Marie de Medicis in the years 1615-1627. The architect Salomon de Brosse, designed it as a Florentine palace because Marie de Medicis liked this style. He was the son of Jean de Brosse, another architect and he inherited the position as the architect of Marie de
Medicis from his uncle Jacques II Androuet Du Cerceau. For the decorations and the embellishments, Rubens paintings adorn the walls of the large gallery and the library has the masterpieces of Eugene Delacroix. The uses of the palace have changed multiple times. For example, it was a prison during the Revolution. It currently houses the Senate.
Jardin du Luxembourg
The gardens of Luxembourg surround the palace. This large park, which has sprawling lawns and abundant flowers, always astonishes its visitors with its harmonious paths, the beauty of its flowers and the shadows under its trees. All the people, young and old, enjoy themselves in the gardens. The children can rent boats and sail in the glassy ponds while the elders play chess under
awnings. Moreover, there are many statues of the queens of France, including a figure of Saint Genevieve, the patron of Paris.
Observatoire de Paris If you are walking in this area have a look to the Observatory of Paris in which you can admire old and modern astronomy instruments. It was the first observatory built in the world by the architect Claude Perrault (1667-1672).
From the 1660s, when the observatory was constructed, to 1884, all French maps had the zero meridian running through the middle of this building. After that date, they reluctantly agreed that 0° longitude should pass through a village in Normandy, which happens to be due south of Greenwich. Although you can no longer visit the Obersatory, you can see the original meridian line in the garden behind, on boulevard Arago, marked by a medallion set in the pavement. In 1986, the bi-centenary of Arago's birth, 135 of these medallions were set along the Arago line in Paris.
From the 1660s, when the observatory was constructed, to 1884, all French maps had the zero meridian running through the middle of this building. After that date, they reluctantly agreed that 0° longitude should pass through a village in Normandy, which happens to be due south of Greenwich. Although you can no longer visit the Obersatory, you can see the original meridian line in the garden behind, on boulevard Arago, marked by a medallion set in the pavement. In 1986, the bi-centenary of Arago's birth, 135 of these medallions were set along the Arago line in Paris.
St SulpiceThe ground map and the size of this charming church are the same as Notre-Dame. The first stone was laid in 1646 on the remains of an older and smaller church. The building being interrupted several times, all styles and epochs are mixed in the construction. One of the most interesting items inside is the wall fresco (the fighting of Saul with the Angel) painted under the St-Sulpice Square supervision of Delacroix, the Maria chapel and the organ of 1781. A copper line in the middle of the choir symbolises the zero meridian of Paris. A few anecdotes about the church. The ancestor of the telegraph, the Chappe system (moving panel system set on heights) had a fixed place on the roof until 1850. Baudelaire and the marquis de Sade were baptised in this church. Victor Hugo got married here.
Cité Universitaire The Cité internationale universitaire de Paris was created in the context of 1920's pacifism to promote exchanges between students from all over the world, providing them with lodgings and services allowing them to pursue their studies in favourable conditions.
The history of the Cité began in 1920 when an important French industrialist, Emile Deutsch de la Meurthe, wishing to make an enduring contribution to society, approached the rector of the University de Paris, Paul Appell. Preoccupied by the difficulties faced by students when it came to finding lodgings, he suggested that de la Meurthe found the cité universitaire. The minister of public education, approved the project and devoted all of his energy to its realization for almost thirty years. To raise funds, he appealed to bankers, industrialists, local groups and government in France and abroad. He travelled extensively to publicize the ideas behind the project.
To co-ordinate these efforts, the Fondation nationale de la Cité internationale universitaire de Paris was created by decree on June 6, 1925. The University of Paris, which owned the property, gave the Foundation a mandate to build and administer the Cité. The Cité built and received its first student in the Fall of 1925. A 34 hectare wooded park, 5,500 students with 126 nationalities living in thirty-seven halls of residence… the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris is distinguished by its multi-cultural project, the goal of which is to foster high-level encounters and exchanges between academics.
The history of the Cité began in 1920 when an important French industrialist, Emile Deutsch de la Meurthe, wishing to make an enduring contribution to society, approached the rector of the University de Paris, Paul Appell. Preoccupied by the difficulties faced by students when it came to finding lodgings, he suggested that de la Meurthe found the cité universitaire. The minister of public education, approved the project and devoted all of his energy to its realization for almost thirty years. To raise funds, he appealed to bankers, industrialists, local groups and government in France and abroad. He travelled extensively to publicize the ideas behind the project.
To co-ordinate these efforts, the Fondation nationale de la Cité internationale universitaire de Paris was created by decree on June 6, 1925. The University of Paris, which owned the property, gave the Foundation a mandate to build and administer the Cité. The Cité built and received its first student in the Fall of 1925. A 34 hectare wooded park, 5,500 students with 126 nationalities living in thirty-seven halls of residence… the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris is distinguished by its multi-cultural project, the goal of which is to foster high-level encounters and exchanges between academics.
Muése de la Monnaie
Cooler then it sounds, the Musée de la Monnaie (Currency Museum), is not just for coin-collectors. A veritable cultural history lesson of France and Paris written in the language of commerce, the museum shows the history of French coinage from Roman times to today.
Musée Zadkine
This museum was born in 1982 and is dedicated to the Russian sculptor Ossip Zadkine. Zadkine, who emigrate in Paris in 1909, worked with influences from Primitivism to Neo-Classicism to Cubism. For this reason, its works represent all his creative periods. In addiction to its collection, this museum also holds temporary exhibits by contemporary artists.
Théâtre national de l'Odéon
The Théâtre de l’Odéon is the oldest and largest theatre in Paris completed in 1782, it was bought by Louis XIV for the Comedie Française, a theatre troupe founded by Molière during the 17th century. During the period of the Terror, the theatre was closed. Its present appearance dates from 1818 renovations overseen by David. The Odéon fortunes changes after the second world war when it became a venue for experimental theatre. On May 1968, student protesters seized the building and destroyed much of its interior before police quelled the rebellion.
Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beau-Arts
The most appreciate art school in France is the Ècole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts, founded by Napoleon in 1811. This school became soon the stronghold of French academic painting and sculpture. The current building was finished in 1838 and is a mixture of architectural styles. The collection housed in the school presents works of paintings, photography, and works by new generation’s Parisians artists.
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