Page 195 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

INV ALIDES AND EIFFEL T OWER QU AR TER  193

o Ecole Militaire
1 Pl Joffre 75007. Map 10 F4. Tel 01 80
50 14 00. q Ecole-Militaire. Closed
Visits are suspended indefinitely; call
for up-to-date information.
Founded in 1751 to educate 500
sons of impoverished officers,
the Royal Military Academy was
designed by architect Jacques-
Ange Gabriel. The central
pavilion, a magnificent example
of the French Classical style,
has eight Corinthian pillars
and a quadrangular dome.
The interior is decorated in
Louis XVI style; of main interest
are the chapel and a Gabriel-
designed wrought-iron banister
on the main staircase.
An early cadet was Napoleon,
whose passing-out report
Doorway at No. 29 Avenue Rapp stated that “he could go far
if the circumstances are right”.
y Champ-de-Mars i No. 29 Avenue Today, the academy is used
75007. Map 10 E3. q Ecole-Militaire. Rapp as a cavalry training ground.
W Champ-de-Mars–Tour-Eiffel.
75007. Map 10 E2. q Pont-de-l’Alma.
The gardens stretching from p UNESCO
the Eiffel Tower to the Ecole A superb example of Art 7 Pl de Fontenoy 75007. Map 10 F5.
Militaire were originally a Nouveau architecture can Tel 01 45 68 10 00, 01 45 68 10 60 (in
parade ground for the officer be found at No. 29 Avenue English). q Ségur, Cambronne. Open
cadets of the Ecole Militaire. Rapp. This building won its to groups only, by guided tour: 10am
The area has since been used designer, architect Jules & 3pm Tue–Fri. Booking essential:
for horse-racing, balloon ascents Lavirotte, the first prize at the visits@unesco.org & Closed public
and the mass celebrations for Concours des Façades de la hols; Sat & Sun. 7 0 by reservation.
14 July, the anniversary of the Ville de Paris in 1901. Its = Exhibitions, films. ∑ unesco.org
Revolution. The first ceremony ceramics and brickwork are
was held in 1790 in the elaborately decorated with This modern building completed
presence of a glum, captive animal and flower motifs in 1958 is the headquarters of
Louis XVI. Vast exhibitions were intermingling with female the United Nations Educational,
held here in the late 19th figures. These are super- Scientific and Cultural
century, including the 1889 imposed on a multicoloured Organization (UNESCO). The
World Fair for which the Eiffel sandstone base to produce a organization’s stated aim is to
Tower was erected. Le Mur de façade that is deliberately contribute to international
la Paix, Jean-Michel Wilmotte’s erotic, and was certainly peace and security through
monument to world peace, subversive in its day. education, science and culture.
stands at one end. Also worth visiting is another It is a trove of modern art,
These days, the park is of Lavirotte's buildings, which notably a huge mural by Picasso
popular with Parisian families can be found at No. 3 Square and sculptures by Henry Moore.
and tourists, who come here Rapp – this is more restrained
to relax, walk their dogs but has a lovely watchtower Moore’s Reclining
(Champ-de-Mars is one of and wrought iron balconies. Figure at UNESCO
the few parks in Paris where (erected 1958)
dogs are allowed) and to
participate in the numerous
activities for children, which
include playgrounds, pony rides,
puppet shows and a carousel.
There is also an outdoor café.
u Eiffel Tower
See pp196–7.

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