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Hôtel Madeleine Plaza - Hotel Paris
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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. |
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Constructed in 1862 by the young architect Charles Garnier in the style of the Second Empire, the Opera was completed in 1875 in the first days of the Third Republic.
It was the largest opera house in the world. An interesting point is that this massive edifice is built on an underground river, which continues to fill a subterranean lake.
Legend has it that the Phantom of the Opera, created by Gaston Leroux, continues to carry out his hair-raising activities.
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An absolute must: The great staircase, of which the first ten steps form a magnificent elevator cage, the ceiling frescos in vivid colors created by Marc Chagall in 1964 and the immense crystal chandelier weighing six tons.
Tickets for ballet performances at the Opera are hard to come by. However, if you are unable to obtain some, you must try to experience the gold and velvet ambiance of the building itself (the main entrance hall is open from 11 am to 4.30 pm). |
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Place Vendôme is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful architectural sites en Paris. The square has an octagonal shape, open at the centre of its south and north sides. Just like Versailles, place Vendôme bears witness to one of French history's most glorious periods: the reign of Louis XIV. Three centuries of art, culture, and elegance make this a unique address in Paris. Today, Place Vendôme is the centre of haute Parisian jewellery, shining over Paris' most brilliant neighbourhood, with haute couture, antique dealers, art galleries, the Opera, and the Louvre Museum. |
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Under the old régime, this was the place of popular celebrations, but it became associated with the bloody events of the Terror after Louis XVI, Danton, Robespierre and many others were executed here. In 1795 it was renamed Place de la Concorde in a sign of national reconciliation.
Louis-Philippe, wanting to bring royalists and republicans back together, chose a monument without any political significance in erecting the Obelisk of Luxor in the center of the square, presented as a gift by the Egyptian Viceroy Méhémet Ali.
After a two and a half year voyage from the banks of the Nile the granite monolith, whose ancient hieroglyphics were carved more than 3,000 years ago under Ramesis II, was erected in front of 200,000 spectators, on October 25, 1836. |
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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. |
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Hôtel Madeleine Plaza - Hotel Paris
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