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Welcome to Paris! Through this guide, we will be pleased to introduce you to some highly emblematic places of the French capital known as the City of Lights. Blessed with...
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Welcome to Paris! Through this guide, we will be pleased to introduce you to some highly emblematic places of the French capital known as the City of Lights. Blessed with exceptional monuments, beautiful squares and typical streets, Paris has a long and rich history that spans two centuries. Paris is also a great literary and intellectual center, and of course the capital of arts and culture, particularly in the field of cinema and fashion.Our walk starts in front of the City Hall subway. We then continue towards the Ile de la Cité where we see, among other things, the Notre Dame Cathedral. We will also have the opportunity to see a part of the Latin Quarter and we'll walk along the Seine where we'll discover another facet of the city through its bridges, gardens and museums. Our tour will last about 2 hours and 30 minutes, and it will end on the famous Place de la Concorde.Enjoy your visit!Photo Paris by Moyan Brenn is licensed under CC BY 2.0 _______Podcast based on audio guide Welcome to Paris! Author: Travel Communications In the podcast format you may enjoy stories remotely; if you go out and experience the audio tour on location it is adviced to use the izi.TRAVEL application that really guides you and plays stories automaticly based on your position
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Welcome to Paris!
Welcome to Paris!
23 DEC 2020 · You have arrived at the Place de la Concorde near the Obelisk. Enjoy the splendor of this place and the beautiful perspective onto the Champs Elysées.This plaza was built in the 18th century for King Louis XV, and included an equestrian statue that stood in the center of the square. During the French Revolution, the statue of Louis XV was brought down, and the square lost its original name. On the new " Revolution Square " the guillotine was set up. This is where Louis XVI and many other victims such as Marie Antoinette, Danton and Robespierre perished during the Reign of Terror. A total of 1,343 heads fell on this square.This 8-hectare site took on its initial name "Concorde" when public executions ceased, symbolizing the desired peace. Under Louis-Philippe, Hittorff finishes the decoration of the square in accordance with the plans drawn by architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel, thus giving way to the site as it looks today.At the corners of the square are eight statues, symbols of the main cities of France: Marseille-Lyon, Strasbourg-Lille, Rouen-Brest, and Bordeaux-Nantes. On the Tuileries Gardens side are the Orangerie Museum and the National Gallery of the Jeu de Paume. On the North side to the left is the Hôtel de Crillon and to the right the Department of the Navy. Between the two buildings down the street, you have the Church of the Madeleine built in the classical architecture of a Greco-Roman temple. Across from the Madeleine Church on your left is the Bourbon Palace with its classical columns. They echo each other in their look - an effect that was intentional.Now look at the Obelisk from Luxor, it is the oldest monument in Paris, it was offered in the 19th century by Muhammad-Ali, Vice-King of Egypt, to King Charles X. It comes from the ruins of the Temple of Luxor. It took over 2 years to deliver it. The monument, made of pink granite, 33 centuries old, is covered with hieroglyphs celebrating the exploits of Pharaoh Ramses II. The pedestal reproduces the equipment designed and used for the transfer and the erection of this monolith that weighs over 230 tons.Now, finally, take a look at the Champs Elysées. The history of this magnificent avenue goes back to the aisles created for Marie de Medicis, in the axis of the Tuileries garden that Le Nôtre refurbished it in the 17th century; but it is only during the Second Empire that the Champs -Elysees, took their modern form. They now form the most beautiful avenue in the world.Our tour ends here. You can continue your stroll on the Champs- Elysées, an opportunity for you to go shopping or to sit in a cafe. We hope you had a good time with us. We wish you a good end of your stay in Paris. We hope to see you again soon!
23 DEC 2020 · The rue Saint-Honoré is a very old road dating from medieval times. It is on this street that Marie Antoinette purchased beauty products and it is said that her lover Fernsen procured the invisible ink he used to correspond with the queen.Today rue Saint Honoré is known worldwide for its luxury boutiques, this is the second Mecca of fashion after Paris' Avenue Montaigne. All major brands are here. This is an opportunity to talk about fashion.In France starting as early as the 14th century, fashion was an aristocratic whim that caused a sensation at the Court. It is what allowed the wealthy classes to distinguish themselves from the lower classes. At the court, we talked about costumes. They were not necessarily beautiful, but had to be "bling". The materials were rare and the fabrics were always rich and sumptuous.It was also during this period that we began to use scent (it must be said that at that time perfume largely replaced soap) and makeup. And it wasn't just reserved to women. Men loved to cover their face with a veil of powder, which gave them a whitish complexion that was very "trendy" at the time (a tanned complexion was the obsessive fear of the upper classes, as it would align them with the common people who worked in the fields).The history of fashion, however, really begins in the 19th century. The British designer and pioneer of Haute Couture, Charles Frederick Worth, was the first to have real models don his creations and showcase them in prestigious salons where a wealthy female clientele congregated.But it's a lady that will truly revolutionize fashion, and also women themselves, Coco Chanel. She invented a relaxing fashion that freed the woman's body from corsets and other restrictive apparel. She used flexible forms and pleasant and comfortable materials for the body. She revolutionized women's fashion by creating the first pair of pants for women, the first woman's suit, and popularizing jersey material, until then serving only for male clothing...The 20th century saw the emergence of some of its greatest creators, Cacharel and Yves Saint -Laurent to name a few, exceptional designers who worked only for a sparse, affluent clientele. The invention of electricity created industrialization, which in turn created the novelty of "confection" (garment manufacturing)- the ancestor of the ready-to-wear - which created a reason for the existence of department stores. For the first time in its history, clothing exits the dim working room, where mothers sewed sometimes awkwardly for their families. Clothing invades the shop windows of the big cities first, and soon the province as well. The early "mass fashion" phenomenon is starting its movement. And it is the face of our whole society that will change.Now, continue on the rue Castiglione by heading towards Rivoli Street. Go to the corner, staying on your right
23 DEC 2020 · Admire the Place Vendôme, which is one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles of Paris from the end of the reign of Louis XIV. We owe this square to the architect of the famous Gallery of Mirrors of Versailles: Jules Hardouin- Mansart. Have you noticed the emblem of Louis XIV, the sun? It's on every balcony. The square was also created to provide a framework for an equestrian statue of Louis XIV, which was destroyed during the Revolution, and gave way to the Vendôme column you see now.The Vendôme Column was erected by Napoleon to the glory of the soldiers who conquered Austerlitz. It forms a bronze spiral, melted from the 1250 cannons captured during the battle. Military scenes are represented on the carved surface. At the top , you can see Napoleon I dressed as Julius Caesar. Previously, depending on the political regime changes and various unrests, there was the statue of Henri IV, and also one of Napoleon as a "Petit Caporal" ("Little Corporal", an affectionate nickname) . During the insurrection of the Commune, the column will be knocked over, causing exile to the painter Gustave Courbet, who ending up being blamed for this act. Since then, during the Third Republic, a replica of the original statue was erected and stands to this day.In this square, at number 15 you see the Ritz Hotel, one of the most famous hotels in Paris, founded by César Ritz. The Egyptian businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed owns it today. In August 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales and her lover, the son of Mohamed al- Fayed, Dodi, dined in the Imperial hotel suite before their fatal car accident.At number 12 is the house in which the composer Chopin died. He was the famous lover of the writer Georges Sand, born Aurore DupinAt present, retrace your steps on the rue Castiglione, walking on the right side. Stop for a moment at the next intersection with the rue Saint Honoré and listen to our next comment
23 DEC 2020 · You are now out of the Tuileries gardens and you are on the Rue de Rivoli. Cross the street via the pedestrian crossing on your right and go forward, under the arcades onto the "rue de Castiglione".The "Rue de Rivoli" runs through the heart of Paris and stretches out over nearly 3 km. This is a major axis through the center of Paris from east to west.Its name evokes the victory of Napoleon at Rivoli against the Austrians. The oldest part towards the "Place de la Concorde" is the most luxurious and has elegant arches topped with neoclassical apartments that today house bookstores and fashion boutiques.Walk along the Rue Castiglione under the arcades and go to the Place Vendôme. You can probably already see a bronze column far in front of you, from where you are walking. Pause, and resume your device when you arrive
23 DEC 2020 · You are the "Grand Basin Rond" of the Tuileries Gardens. A true center of greenery and fresh air in the heart of the capital, this garden welcomes some 14 million visitors per year. The garden is also at the crossroads of a few of the most touristic attractions of the City of Light: the four cardinal points are the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, the Champs-Elysees, the Place Vendôme and the Palais Garnier Opera House. Besides of course, the museums of Jeu de Paume and the Orangerie, which are set in the very grounds of the garden.Let's take a few moments to tell its story: in the 16th century, François 1st had chosen this vast land occupied since the Middle Ages by tile factories and surrounded by pumpkin fields, to build a luxury residence with gardens, which never saw the light. Later, Catherine de Medici, seduced by the scene, had a palace built, the "Tuileries", in the middle of Italian garden with fountains, a cave, a greenhouse and even a menagerie. Lavish receptions took place there, giving the opportunity to the powerful of the time to glorify their power.In the 17th century, André Le Nôtre, the creator of the royal gardens of Versailles was commissioned by Louis XIV to redesign the garden. The king opened it up to be a walking area for "honest people". This was the first public park in Paris. Official and popular celebrations events took place over the centuries, the Parisians present gawking at the rise of the first hydrogen balloon, the first motor show, the banquet of the 22000 mayors of France, attractions in celebration of Bicentennial of the Revolution, etc ... It is now an open-air sculpture museum hosting works by Rodin and Maillol.The Tuileries Garden has undergone a complete transformation in the 1990s. Landscape artists retained what they considered to be the essential elements of Le Nôtre's design. The lawns were re-traced, the tress were preserved and replanted. Every spring, you can admire the thousands of plants placed by gardeners of the domain, the irrigation water being conveyed from the Ourcq canal through a high pressure pump and computerized management.Can you see on your left, on the Seine side a large stone building on the left bank that looks like a train station? That's the Musée d'Orsay. This museum is dedicated to the art of the period between 1848 to 1914. We can see famous works such as Monet's Poppies, the "Moulin de la Galette" by Renoir or also many works by the painter Van Gogh.Keep walking on the center alley, heading to the center of the gardens. You will walk through paths adorned by linden trees, punctuated here and there by beautiful elms. When you find yourself at the center of the garden, turn right on "Allée de Castiglione" and you take the exit onto Rivoli street
23 DEC 2020 · Designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, the 1980s-built pyramid marks the entrance of the museum. It was President François Mitterrand's wish to buid this, shortly after his election. 21 meters high, on a 30 m square base, this pyramid, for which the optical glass made by Saint-Gobain limits the effects of reflection, is set onto an aluminum frame supported by a stainless steel structure.After much controversy around such a futuristic look right in the middle of a historic monument, it is now perfectly well accepted, its transparency integrating well in this important historical spot of Paris.Now: look away from the pyramid to the North, up some distance, can you see an "Arc de Triomphe"? Go ahead and pause your device, and walk to it. Turn the device back on once you 've arrived.You are facing the "Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel". This famous monument celebrates Napoleon's victories, including his victory at Austerlitz in the early 19th century. This is one of the most representative works of the Imperial style. This arc makes reference to the triumphal arches of the Roman Empire.Carousels were actually military celebrations, luxurious performances given by riders during which they paraded in quadrilles. The carousel that was performed under Louis XIV in the 17th century was so great that this plaza and the Louvre bridge took on the name.The Arch of the Carrousel marks the entrance of the Tuileries. And imagine another palace here that actually really existed, the Palace of the Tuileries. It closed off the Louvre Palace on its west side, but it was burned down during the civil war of the Commune period, and it was decided to demolish it completely. From that point on and today, we can enjoy a beautiful view towards the Place de la Concorde, the Champs Elysees and at the very end, the Arc de Triomphe.In fact, why don't you go on in that very direction, while staying in the center of the way in order to see this perspective? Walk forward towards the Jardin des Tuileries. Go to the first round basin, which is called the "Grand Bassin Rond
23 DEC 2020 · You have entered the magnificent Palace of the Louvre and you are specifically in the "cour carrée", or "the square yard".The history of the Louvre dates back to the late 12th century when King Philip Augustus built a fortress to protect Paris from Viking raids. The word Louvre would be of Saxon origin and would mean "fortified enclosure". In fact, it is under your feet that the fortress was located, for which we can see the old foundations today.Starting in the 14th century, the kings of France left the Palace of the "Ile de la Cité" to come and settle in the Louvre and make their royal residence. Over the centuries, the Louvre, will continually be transformed, modified according to the taste of its kings and queens. When Louis XIV decides to leave the Louvre and move to Versailles, the palace will host many artists. Their works are intended to glorify the king.But the French Revolution will end this monarchical sovereignty, and in 1793, the National Assembly will decide to return all the treasures to the people by creating a museum. The Grand Louvre project, launched in the 1980s, fully renovates the premises. The final transformation of the Louvre palace into a museum, takes place with the inauguration of the new Richelieu wing, two hundred years after the opening of the Louvre to the public. The Louvre Museum is one of the largest and richest museums on the planet.The collections of the works of art are grouped into seven departments; they include Eastern and Islamic works, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman objects of Art, Sculptures, Paintings and Graphic Arts. The Louvre is the home of the most famous painting in the world: "La Joconde", or the Mona Lisa.Did you know that the "Joconde", or the Mona Lisa was stolen in the early 20th century, by an Italian Vincenzo Perugia, an employee of the Louvre who had been hired to participate in the setting under glass of many of the museum's works. He kept the painting in his room in Paris for 2 years (it is even said that he used it as a table for dining!). While trying to sell it in Italy, the thief was caught, and the Mona Lisa returned to the Louvre.Now, continue towards the Pyramid. Go under the porch of the "pavillon de l'Horloge", or "Clock pavillion". Turn your device back on when you're ready and facing the main entrance of the Pyramid
23 DEC 2020 · That's it, you've arrives at the "Pont des Arts". Go to the center of the bridge and stand there. Admire the wonderful perspective from the "Pont Neuf", (the New Bridge), and the "Ile de la Cité".Napoleon the 1st decided to build a bridge linking the Louvre to the College of the Four Nations, which today is called "l'Institut". Its name comes from the Palace of Arts, the name of the Louvre under the Second Empire. This construction marks the introduction in France of a new building material, iron. So this is the first iron bridge in France. But it is not the original one, because, after many river accidents, it was decided to rebuild it in the 1980s with the same look, but this time in steel and with seven arches instead of nine, in order to ease navigation by providing a bit more space.The fad for "love padlocks" hung by couples here, serve to unite them forever. Tradition has it that after having closed the padlock, they throw the key into the water. These locks will gradually disappear to make room for wood panels because some grids have given way under the weight of padlocks, creating holes that jeopardize the safety of passers-by.Now look at the other end of the Institut de France, the building with its beautiful dome. This building was born from the will and fortune of a single man: Cardinal Jules MAZARIN who pursued, along with the young Louis XIV, the establishment of royal absolutism. At the end of his life, anxious to perpetuate the glory of his name, Mazarin decided to build a building as prestigious as those left by his predecessor and his model, Richelieu, who had built the chapel of the Sorbonne and the Royal Palace. So it was that he bequeathed, by will to the young King Louis XIV, a significant sum for the building of a school, destined to receive sixty young nobles from the Four provinces conquered under the ministry of Mazarin. The school would use the name of "Collège des Quatre-Nations" (college of the Four Nations). Mazarin's tomb was to rest in the chapel of the building.It was Napoleon who had the Institute of France move into this building, resulting from the merger of the five academies (the "Académie Française", the academy of inscriptions and beautiful letters, Science, Fine Arts and Moral Sciences). The overall institution took on the name that it retained to this day, the "Palais de l'Institut". It is now the seat of the prestigious "Académie Française". The academics are nicknamed the "immortals" because of their moral authority and their famous mission, which is to define the French language.Now retrace your steps by returning to the "Quai' (dock). Cross the quai François Mitterrand using the pedestrian crossing across the road and enter the Louvre by the "cour carrée" (square yard) under the portico. You will see at the top a beautiful wrought iron balcony with medallions that represent the sun, Louis XIV's emblem. Go ahead and place yourself in the center of the plaza where there is water basin
23 DEC 2020 · The Seine River cuts through Paris approximately in the middle, demarcating the left and right banks. It crosses Paris over nearly 13 km, and is a shallow river. Connecting the Ile-de- France and the Champagne region to the North Sea, the Seine is the busiest waterway in France with more than 20 million tons of goods and merchandise that transits over it each year. An interesting story: did you know that in reality this is not the Seine? If one were to consider each of the powers of flow to their confluence, this is not the Seine flowing in Paris, but the Yonne! Indeed, when the two rivers meet, we consider that it is that the smaller flow which flows into the other. In Seine et Marne, the Seine has a flow rate of 80 m³/s , while the Yonne has a flow rate of 93 m³/s. So the Seine flows into the Yonne. Thus Paris is actually crossed by the Yonne, which flows into the Manche (the English Channel). But why this error? You actually have to go back to the "Gaulois" period and take into account the real wars for influence between tribes. To impose the Seine was a way to entrench the power of those in control this river. Unless, since all these centuries, the flows have changed!Now about the famous boats on the Seine: the "Bateaux-Mouches". But really, why this name, which translates to the "Fly-Boats" ? Their name comes from the fact that they were originally built on the sites of "La Mouche" (the Fly) in Lyon. For 50 years, they provided the loyal boat services. However, competition from the bus and metro, they had to cease their activities in the 30s. A decade or so afterwards, they became tour boats named as we know them today.Did you know that Paris has the biggest bookstore in the world? Over a 3 km length, along the banks of the Seine, over 200 booksellers in their "green boxes" are waiting for you to discover their treasures, ancient and contemporary works.The booksellers' history dates back to the 16th century when small peddlers began to take possession of the Seine to sell their books, often used. Soon, booksellers consider them unfair competition. Driven away and later reinstated, the fate of booksellers evolved again with the French Revolution and it was at this time that the term " bouquiniste" (a more casual term for bookseller) enters the dictionary of the French Academy. This term comes from the word "bouquin" derived from the Flemish "boeckin" meaning "little book". Since the mid-19th century, the profession is regulated. Today, in addition to books, you will find prints, stamps and other types of publications
23 DEC 2020 · That's it; you've arrived at the Pont Neuf. Stand on the bridge slightly back from the street. Admire the view again ...Despite its name, the Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris. It was built in the late 16th century to allow the king to move more easily from one bank to another and to facilitate relations between the Louvre and the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This was a true innovation for the time: it was the first stone bridge built without houses -- because previously, bridges were made of wood and covered with houses.Have you noticed a large equestrian statue at the back, on the left? It is the statue of King Henry IV -- it overlooks the "Square du Vert-Galant", a nickname given to the king for his many female conquests.Do you know that this equestrian statue holds many secrets? In the 2000s, during some restoration work to the monument, the belly of the horse and rider were searched. Inside they found seven sealed lead boxes. The presence of four of them were known to specialists and thus predictable, they contained precious texts on the history of the statue and the king Henri IV himself, but the other three, smaller and cylindrical in shape, created a great surprise. They contained wrapped scrolls, in fact anti-royalist pamphlets. It is thought that this might be a 'political signature' by the engraver Mesnel, a fervent Bonapartist who wanted to leave behind a secret report of his political views. One of the cylindrical cans discovered indeed bears his name.Now look to the left, you see the former La Samaritaine department store. Originally, there was a pump at this place, destined to supply water to Parisians and to the Royal Court. Then on the Pont Neuf, a street vendor settled there, selling his goods under his large red umbrella: That was Ernest Cognacq, who made a fortune, and later established the Shops of La Samaritaine. For a long time, La Samaritaine was the largest Parisian department store, followed by the Galeries Lafayette and the Printemps. It closed its doors in the 2000s for security reasons related to the building's structure. We still are wondering what the Samaritaine will look like in a few years: luxury hotel, shopping mall or low-income housing ...
Welcome to Paris! Through this guide, we will be pleased to introduce you to some highly emblematic places of the French capital known as the City of Lights. Blessed with...
show more
Welcome to Paris! Through this guide, we will be pleased to introduce you to some highly emblematic places of the French capital known as the City of Lights. Blessed with exceptional monuments, beautiful squares and typical streets, Paris has a long and rich history that spans two centuries. Paris is also a great literary and intellectual center, and of course the capital of arts and culture, particularly in the field of cinema and fashion.Our walk starts in front of the City Hall subway. We then continue towards the Ile de la Cité where we see, among other things, the Notre Dame Cathedral. We will also have the opportunity to see a part of the Latin Quarter and we'll walk along the Seine where we'll discover another facet of the city through its bridges, gardens and museums. Our tour will last about 2 hours and 30 minutes, and it will end on the famous Place de la Concorde.Enjoy your visit!Photo Paris by Moyan Brenn is licensed under CC BY 2.0 _______Podcast based on audio guide Welcome to Paris! Author: Travel Communications In the podcast format you may enjoy stories remotely; if you go out and experience the audio tour on location it is adviced to use the izi.TRAVEL application that really guides you and plays stories automaticly based on your position
show less
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