Designed by engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, whose company built the tower as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair. The radical design was criticised by 300 of France's leading artists, architects, and intellectuals who signed the following manifesto - "We, writers, painters, sculptors, architects, passionate lovers of the beauty, until now intact in Paris, hereby protest with all our might, with all our indignation, in the name of French taste gone unrecognised, in the name of French art and history under threat, we are against this construction set in the very heart of our capital - the useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower."
Intended to be a temporary structure, the tower has become both a global and cultural icon for France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world. The domed building beyond the tower is the École Militaire - our 18 year old granddaughter attended a black-tie birthday party in there on the evening we flew home from Paris
The École Militaire was founded in 1750 and in 1784 it was where the 15 year old Napoleon Bonaparte was accepted, graduating in only one year instead of two
A wonderful Baroque series of buildings housing a Military Museum, Church, Hospital, Retirement Home for war veterans, and the burial site of some of France's war heroes, most notably Napoleon Bonaparte
The stunning golden dome on the church can be seen for miles and is easily recognisable because of its great height and exquisite beauty. Designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, French architect, whose work is generally considered to be the apex of Baroque architecture in France representing the power and grandeur of Louis XlV.
The entrance door to the chapel of Saint-Louis-des-Invalides
Marble steps lead down to the tomb situated in a sunken rotunda immediately below the dome
Rosemary, Just beautiful. Your new camera takes a beautiful photo, but it's operated by you...well done.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Margaret
Thank you Margaret for you kind comment - delighted with my new very small camera.
DeleteWow, you made some wonderful photo's of Paris, have to go there again some day, has been a while ago I was there.
ReplyDeleteThank you - glad that this post may have enticed you to revisit Paris
DeleteWonderful opulent photographs, Rosemary, thank you!
ReplyDelete(And glad I "saw" E.T. )
Paris is a dream for photographs
DeleteOnce the tower was not willed, and is now symol France draws tourists to Paris. I admired her, too, and a chapel. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a wonder that the Eiffel Tower still stands
DeleteDear Rosemary, Only Tutankhamun's tomb could rival the gold of Paris. Fabulous photographs. I would have loved to have been there, you on the ground, looking upwards and shooting photos. Is this your new camera? I love mine, Thanks for doing all the research. But always, it is your artistic eye that composes theses sensational shots.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is the new camera, but not all of my forthcoming posts will be. I still have a stack of posts made with the old camera which will appear from time to time.
DeleteDelighted that you like your new camera too Gina - it is such a tiny compact little beast, and such a good price. I love the fact that it stores so many photos and that the battery lasts for a long time between charging. I hope you managed to pick yours up cheaply too.
Enjoyed your pictures, it's been a number of years since we've been to Paris, but plan on going there next year combined with England.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it when you go - there is so much to see and do in Paris that it is a place one can return to time and time again
DeleteOMG, you take wonderful photos. Those shots of the Eiffel Tower are magnificent! And what an interesting post. I've always been interested in Bonaparte, that little bastard.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra - I am pleased you enjoyed the post. I was pleased with the Eiffel Tower photos, in particular the last one as really highlights the size of the tower, so often it looks insignificant on other photos I have seen.
DeleteDear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though you had a perfect visit to Paris, and I too have enjoyed your photographs. I'm bookmarking that incredible blue door for future door projects in my own house! our photograph of Napoleon's tomb is the best I've seen. I was not aware til now of the green granite base or that handsome mosaic wreath.
Dear Mark - I am so interested that you are bookmarking the wonderful blue and gold door with a view to possibly using it in a future project - delighted that it may be of use to you in the future. I have cut the photo down for this post so if you want to see more of the door just let me know.
DeleteYour photographic style is wonderful, Rosemary! While admiring Napoleon's Tomb (over-the-top) I had totally forgotten the gold up above and also the allegorical paintings in roses and soft blues in the dome when I visited there (!) That french blue and gold door to the entrance of the chapel of Saint-Louis-des-Invalides is absolutely fabulous and, Mark, - I can't wait to see how you interpret that in your home!!!
ReplyDeleteI was entralled with the various dioramas displayed inside the Musée de l'Armée. Did you go inside?
I will have to go see Napoleon's Tomb,again, when I next return to Paris to fully appreciate what you've photographed in such excellent detail! Encore merci, Rosemary.
Mary in Oregon
It is so easy to keep a good record of places we visit today and even discover things in the photos that we may have missed at the time of taking them. We are so lucky to be able to snap away to our hearts content - using film was so restrictive and expensive too. Delighted that you enjoyed seeing the photos Mary and thanks for your kind comment.
DeleteI love these pictures of Paris, which bring me sweet memories. We were there several times, but your photos are of an outstanding beauty. Love that dancing couple beside the Eiffel Tower. It was a very long time we were at the Dome-des-Invalides and I could not exactly remember that it was so nice, except the tombe of Napoleon which impressed me.
ReplyDeleteIt is very nice to return to some of the places visited so many years ago in Paris - your mind and memory play tricks on you, but luckily L'Hôtel National des Invalides was still as beautiful as I recall it being, if not more so.
DeleteRosemary, I've reread the last 3 months of your posts and I cannot for the life of me find your posting of the details on your new camera. If you would please tell me where to look; I can find it myself. Your photographs are splendid and do not compare with the quality I get from my older Canon! The photographer obviously makes a difference (!) but there are other fine qualities I can see in your images.
ReplyDeleteMary in Oregon
Dear Mary - I am sorry that you have spent time looking and to no avail as I have not posted details of the camera. I only mentioned that I intended to get a new camera and Gina asked me if I would let her know what I had decided to buy, so I informed her by email.
DeleteHowever, I am happy to share the details with you - I don't like big cameras, just the smallest I can get to fit in my pocket so that I can have it with me at all times. I have been looking for one that had a better zoom lens as I realised the limitations of my other little camera whilst travelling in India.
I am happy with the new camera which is a very good price at the moment as I believe that it is soon to be replaced. It is a Sony WX350 and I understand that it has the best zoom lens of all the small cameras. It also has a memory card that will hold over 3,000 photos and a special battery that will take almost 400 images before it needs recharging. If you need any other information please do ask.
You have given us a beautifully different perspective of Napoleon and France at a time when English minds are focused on Waterloo. I love the rather grand almshouses with their topiary garden at Jardin des Invalides.
ReplyDeleteYes, I found it interesting to be seeing things from a French point of view following on from all the programmes we have been shown on the TV about Waterloo.
DeleteI just love Paris ( and who doesn't ? ) , used to live there when I was young, And YES the Eiffel tower is indeed what I 'suspected' :-) Such beautiful photos of some of Paris's innumerous wonders.
ReplyDeleteYou must have good memories of your time in Paris - it has its own very special ambience
DeleteHello Rosemary, Once we obtained a box of European photos (that had been taken by an American soldier). Frustratingly, none were identified, except for one of the Eiffel Tower, which was marked "Paris, France."
ReplyDeleteThe Tower is a handsome monument, but a little dizzying at close range!
-Jim
Hello Jim - Isn't it interesting how times have changed - today you would be able to find the answer straight away with a quick search on Google.
DeleteWonderful shots and excellent narrative. That dome is astonishing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mike - The dome really does deserve close inspection if is so intricate and beautiful - glad you enjoyed the shots I appreciate your kind comment
DeleteBeautiful photos of Paris, Rosemary, and I love your clever angles of the Eiffel Tower. The new camera works a treat, but it is your eye which makes these wonderful compositions. Sadly, we ran out of time last year to see the Ecole Militaire, and it is great to see some of it. The dome, the blue/gold door, and the re quartzite tomb: all are so beautiful, as only the French can create. A lovely post, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Patricia - I have travelled to Paris lots of times, but still haven't seen it all - time always catches up with me, and tired feet too.
DeleteIt looks as though you had a wonderful visit!!! So great to see your beautiful pictures of many places that I have never seen. I am so glad that I guessed correctly, I thought I might be wrong after I posted the comment! xx
ReplyDeleteVery well done Amy - your comment came in first.
Deleteone of my favorite cities in the world and you captured it beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThank you Steph - glad that you enjoyed seeing some of your favourite city.
DeleteHello dear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteI am behind, and am now hoping to get a little more updated with my dear blogging friends. Its difficult for me to sit too long on my computer chair to blog. I also cannot do as much as I used too.
My first view of the Eiffel tower, was 40 years ago. When we built our first house in Cascais. We travelled by car from Brussels and passed by Paris. Its an amazing building. Mr. Eiffel was an amazing architect and engineer.
I am sure you remember the ' Elavador Justa' in lisbon.. that was built by him. Recently the exit at the top has been updated.
We did not visit many places, as time was limited.
Your photos of all these wonderful buildings are so wonderful . You have captured some amazing images.
Having had the most fantastic adventure of my life, sailing from the African continent.. to Europe.. with a stop and dropping anchor in the bay of Jamestown.. St. Helena. Staying there for 2 months. My children learnt more about Napoleon in depth.. and played in the grounds of Longwood Hall..where he was exiled to. The caretakers became friends and their grandson was at school with my eldest three.
Your posts are always so inspiring and informative Rosemary.
I so enjoyed this one.
wishing you a good week.. val xx
Dear Val - I am so pleased that this post has rekindled so many happy and wonderful memories for you, and that you have kindly shared them here.
DeleteI did go up in the Elevator Justa in Lisbon, but I am ashamed to say that I had not realised that Alexandre Gustave Eiffel had both designed and made it. I am really grateful to you for that piece of information Val, you know what I am like, I just love to know anything like that♡
Gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS post, Rosemary. I've never been to Paris - was booked to go many years ago but at the last minute had to cancel. My brother and his wife were there last year, so in a way, I was there by proxy. :) I dream about it all the time - going, I mean. Have you ever seen the film, AMERICAN DREAMER? Most of it takes place in Paris. It's a great deal of fun. Loved this post. Thank you for the beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteI think that I have a bit of a love affair with Paris Yvette - couldn't you have another shot a trying to visit Paris and endeavour to fulfil your dreams?
DeleteRosemary,
ReplyDeleteThat is possibly the most beautiful pic of the tower that I have ever seen! Paris !, actually all of France, is a guilty pleasure of mine. Can't seem to get enough. Going again in April. Last time there we leased an apt. Directly across from les Invalides.
It is such an easy city to get around - no waiting for trains, as soon a one leaves another comes in. I think my son possibly has three more years there so I will make the most of it.
DeleteHow magnificent and beautiful Paris is! I’m a little overwhelmed. Now at last I got the answer to your quiz. Eiffel Tower. Your photos of the tower are uniquely and livelily different from the ones I’ve seen, I love them. Tokyo Tower is a lattice tower inspired by the Eiffel Tower.
ReplyDeleteYoko
I shall remember that about the Tokyo Tower Yoko - you never know one day I might travel to Japan
DeleteAs everyone has mentioned your pictures are amazing of such a well known land mark. You have captured such joy and fun in the picture of the bride and groom too. I didn't realise Napolean was returned to France, it always a pleasure to learn new things from you! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah - I think that my photo of the Eiffel Tower may have been a bit of luck - I was surprised when I saw it myself.
Delete