Paris north-eastern of the river Seine

Journal of a Trip to Paris –
Northwest of the Seine lie the Champs Elysèe and on the Place Charles-de-Gaulle the Arch of Triumph (Arc de Triomphe)...

The second part of our walk through Paris begins at the Paris Operahouse, to the north of the Jardin des Tuileries.

Continuing on the Blvd. Haussmann to the West you reach Place St.- Augustin and, a bit to the North, the spectacular church of St. Augustin.

From here runs, diagonally, the Boulevard Malesherbes in the direction of the Tuileries from where we reach the Place de la Madeleine. On it lies what is just commonly called "La Madleine", a church built in the classic style.

An impressive building with a hight of 108 meters. Framed by 54 corinthian columns gives it the look of Greek architecture.

Leaving the church in the southerly direction, by crossing the elegant Rue Royal where you can find the shops of the famous French designers, you will arrive at the most famous square of Paris, the wide-spaced Place de la Concorde.

It is known as one of the most beautiful places of the world. In the center of the square an obelisk rises 22 meters high. It was a gift to France from an Egyptian king. Here the national football(soccer)-team celebrated it`s wining the world-championship in 2002. Here we find the obelisk, several fountains and gracefully crafted lanterns.

Going on to the West we find on the southern side of the Champs Elysèe the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais that were built for the World Exhibition in 1900. Today the Grand Palais is used for art exhibitions.

In the west-wing of the building there is a museum of natural science. Here you are invited to practical experiments, it is a "Palace of Discovery" (Palais de la Dècouvert)

Returning to the Champs Elysèe we arrive at the Rond-Point des Champs Elysèe. Here the lawns that lined the Place de la concorde, the Grand Palais and the round-about end.

Now we should leisurly progress to the Champs Elysèe to first view the avenue itself and then explore the fancy stores and Cafès. You have deserved a rest after all that walking.

It is remarkable that the houses on the Champs are 80 meters apart. The avenue consists of two four-lane streets and 15 meters of pedestrian walks on both sides of the street.

To the North, midway, between the Church of St. Augustine and the Arc de Triomph, you will find the Parc Monceau. This park was devised in the nineteenth century and stands out for it`s sculptures and ruins.

The next destination has already come to our attention. The Champs Elysèe leads us directly to the huge traffic circle at the Place Charles-de-Gaulle. There are six traffic-lanes that run around the Arch of Triumph with twelve streets leading up to it.

The Arch was dedicated to the victorious armies of the French Revolution. The only way to reach it is through a tunnel.

For 40.-Francs you can climb up to the viewing platform.

From there you can have a beautiful view of the Champs Elysèe and in the opposite direction of the “new”city called La Defense. Preferably in good weather!

If you still have enough energy you can take the Metro to the office center of La Defense. This “new” city lies in a straight line wih the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe to the West.

Im futuristisch anmutenden Geschäftsviertel ist u.a. der gewaltige 110 m hohe La Grade Arche zu bewundern. Bis ins Jahr 2005 sollen die Büroflächen von heute über 2 Mio. qm Bürofläche verdoppelt werden.

Going along the Avenue Kleber, coming from the Arc de Triomphe in the southern direction, you arrive at the Trocadero and the Palais Chaillot. The Palais stands on a small rise on the opposite side of the Eiffel Tower and the River Seine. The palais contains a marine-museum (Musèe de la Marine), which depicts the history of the marines and the merchant marines. It has models and pictures of boats and submarines. In the west wing you will find the museum of natural history (Musèe de L`Homme) The exhibition shows pre-historic objects, sculptures, frescos. It also exhibits the art of the Mayas and Aztecs. Further exhibitions are in the Musèe des Monuments Francais and in the lovely Musèe de Cinema.


 In cooperation with travel pictures from Paris travel gallery pictures from Paris (german). 
 

Paris south of the river Seine
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