Page 44 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

42  INTRODUCING P ARIS

The Modern City

In 1962, a renovation programme began, and run-down districts
like the Marais were restored. This project continued with François
Mitterrand’s Grands Travaux (great works) scheme. Access was
improved to historical monuments and art collections, such as the
Musée du Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. The scheme produced modern
monuments such as the Opéra National de Paris Bastille (p102), the
Cité des Sciences (pp240–41) and the Bibliothèque Nationale de Extent of the City
France (p244). These, and the boldly modern La Défense (p248), Stade 1959 Today
de France, Musée du quai Branly (pp194–5), Promenade des Berges
de la Seine (p69), Philarmonie de Paris (p239) and Fondation Louis
Vuitton (p247), have enriched Paris with truly innovative architecture.
La Grande Arche is taller and
wider than Notre-Dame and forms
part of an axis linking the Arc de
Triomphe and the Louvre Pyramid.

Christo’s Pont Neuf
To create a work of art, the Bulgarian-born
artist Christo wrapped Paris’s oldest bridge,
the Pont Neuf, in fabric in 1985.
Simone de Beauvoir
Influential philosopher
and life-long companion
of J-P Sartre, de Beauvoir
fought for the liberation
of women in the 1950s.
Shopping centre

Louvre Pyramid (1989)
I M Pei’s futuristic glass
pyramid forms the entrance
to the Louvre, providing a
striking contrast to the classical
façade of the museum.
1977 Pompidou 1980
1962 André Malraux, Minister of Ducting at Centre opens. Jacques Thousands
Culture, begins renovation the Pompidou Chirac is installed as greet Pope
programme of run-down Centre first elected Mayor of John-Paul II on
districts and monuments Paris since 1871 his official visit
1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985
1989
1958 Establishment 1964 1968 Student
of Fifth Republic Reorganization riots and 1973 Construction of Montparnasse Bicentenary
with de Gaulle as of the Ile workers Tower and the Périphérique (ring road) celebrations
President de France strikes in the 1969 Les Halles market 1985 Christo wraps to mark the
Latin Quarter transfers to Rungis Pont Neuf French
President de Gaulle Revolution

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