- ANNECY AND MONT BLANC -

Paris Part 2

LINKS to other pages in the Annecy and Mont Blanc website and to the Travelling Days series:

Our whistle stop tour of Paris continues through the busy streets with a visit to the Arc de Triomphe.

The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon shortly after his victory at Austerlitz but was not completed until 1836. It is 50 metres high and 45 metres wide.

There are four large relief sculptures at the base of each of the four pillars. These commemorate: 'The Triumph of 1810' (by Cortot), 'Resistance' and 'Peace' (both by Etex) and 'The Departure of the Volunteers', more commonly known by the name, 'La Marseillaise', (by Rude).

Twelve avenues (originally only five) radiate from the arch. From the roof of the Arch there are spectacular views of Paris. Looking eastwards down the Champs Elysées toward the Louvre there are the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Gardens and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.

In the opposite direction - i.e. westwards - in the distance can be seen the larger and newer La Grande Arche de la Défense.

Cortot's sculpture showing the triumph of Napoleon in 1810 on one of the pillars is shown below.

A narrow band of relief crowns the top of the Arc. Bands of soldiers on foot, on horseback, musicians drumming or trumpeting the soldiers into battle, and all of them led by their brave generals.

Remarkably carved and intricate, it is so high on the monument that it is not easily admired by the casual tourist. (right).

The funeral of Marceau (left).



More pictures and further details of the Arc de Triomphe may be found on another 'Travelling Days' site by clicking here.

The Church of St Mary Magdalen (right) known as 'La Madeleine' was consecrated in 1842.

Built in the style of a Greek temple the church is situated on Rue Royal north of La Place de la Concorde.

For more pictures of 'La Madeleine' please click here.

Further on into our journey we pass the Louvre (left).

A detailed coverage of this historic building together with with many pictures taken at the end of 2006 may be found here.

The group left the coach for an hour or so at La Place de la Concorde (right and below).

For more pictures and description of the obelisk and square please click here.

It is just a short walk into the gardens of the Champs Élysées. Here we were able to see a display of some rather strange modern sculptures ! (below)

Time for some refreshment either at a stall in the gardens (right) or at a more sophisticated establishment just around the corner from the gardens (below).

A number of upmarket hotels, including the Ritz, are situated close to La Place de la Concorde.

The lady (right) appears to be in a hurry, a case has been left unattended on the pavement and the photographer has been caught on camera! Can this be a segment of a film plot?!








If you happen not to be on a Travelsphere tour you can take a local open top bus to visit the Paris central district (below).

The Arc de Triomphe from La Place de la Concorde.
In the background through the arc can be seen La Grande Arche de la Défense (above).