Sunday, August 23, 2009

Paris ~ Place de la Concorde

The place de la Concorde is the largest public square in Paris and one of the best places to see the grandeur of Paris' layout and the 'Voie Triomphale' (triumphal way). It is magnificent.

Looking east, you see the Jardin de Tuileries, the Arc du Carroussel and then the Louvre museum. Looking west, your eyes follow the Champs-Elyseés to the Arc de Triomphe, and beyond the Grande Arc de Paris of La Défence, all in a perfectly straight line.

The clipped plane trees on the Champs-Elysées very much emphasize the straight line of the Voie Triomphale, a fabulous sight.

The center and main focus of the Place de la Concorde is the Obelisk of Luxor, a gift to the french from the viceroy of Egypt, Mehemet Ali, given in 1829. The monument is more than 3300 years old and decorated with hieroglyphics portraying the reigns of the pharaohs Ramses II and Ramses III.

it is flanked by two beautiful fountains..

while ornamental lamp posts surround the whole square

the North side is marked by two buildings, the Naval Ministry on the right..

.. and the beautiful "Hotel Crillon' on the left

the little street just left of the Hotel Crillon is the rue 'Boissy d'Anglas'

which takes you straight to 24 rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré!

Another reason I love La place de la Concorde ;-)

13 comments:

  1. Beautiful photographs! Thank you so much for sharing!

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  2. Glady you enjoy the pics DB. The next episode will take us a few steps further down the Rue Boissey d'Anglais! ;-)

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  3. Yay to this next episode! I feel like I'm back in Paris, very lovely! Thank you for sharing them <3 :)

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  4. Thank you for the Sunday Paris visit and very much looking forward to the next tour.

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  5. DD and andiamo, thank you for your kind comments, happy you enjoyed the pics! <3 <3

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  6. Gorgeous photos! Do all roads lead to Hermes then? LOL. I hope to see Paris myself next May for the first time. So exciting to have a "pre-tour" from such a gracious guide.

    Suejm

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  7. Thank you Suejm! Hope your trip comes true in May... I have no doubt that you will find ALL the roads leading to FSH! ;-)

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  8. Love the Paris photos -- keep them coming!

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  9. Thank you dear lulilu, I will! <3

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  10. I want to go back to Paris! These pictures are lovely and I really enjoyed this whole area.

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  11. Awh Bonjour Madame, I'd love to go back tomorrow too!! Like you, I love the area, so much diversity and all so easily reached by foot.<3

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  12. All so beautiful! what is your favorite Paris hotel?

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    1. My favorite places in Paris are small boutique hotels in the left bank (St Germain).. the Recamier, Hôtel Esprit St Germain, Villa St Germaina and L'Hôtel are all lovely. The Marais is another favorite area, and the Pavillon De La Reine is the place to stay.

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