(Vintage postcard image from AllPosters)
Place de la Concorde is one of the major
public squares in Paris. (an octagon of 20 acres!)
It's located in the 9th arrondissement between
the Tuleries Gardens and the Champs-Elysees.
(I think of arrondissements as zip code sections)
It's just down the road from the Eiffel Tower,
across the Seine River.
Concorde holds a huge amount of history
that I didn't know about until we went there.
Who knew?
(Google image)
It was originally named
Place Louis XV, built in 1755.
A statue of Louie XV was erected in the center.
(even though he wasn't their favorite king)
(Google search)
Then in 1792 it became
Place de la Revolution where the
people erected the Guillotine. (After they
got rid of the old statue of course!)
(Google image)
Princess Elizabeth of France, Charlotte Corday,
Madame du Barry, and so many more.
The thought of standing in the square
where these famous people met their end
was rather ominous for me.
Skip forward to 1795 and it was renamed
Place de la Concorde, meaning harmony,
as a gesture of reconciliation after
the turmoil of the French Revolution.
(minus the guillotine)
Well it changed 2 more times and finally
settled into being Place de la Concorde.
Make up your mind!
It's just down the road from the Eiffel Tower,
across the Seine River.
Concorde holds a huge amount of history
that I didn't know about until we went there.
Who knew?
(Google image)
It was originally named
Place Louis XV, built in 1755.
A statue of Louie XV was erected in the center.
(even though he wasn't their favorite king)
(Google search)
Then in 1792 it became
Place de la Revolution where the
people erected the Guillotine. (After they
got rid of the old statue of course!)
(Google image)
This was the site of execution for
Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, Princess Elizabeth of France, Charlotte Corday,
Madame du Barry, and so many more.
The thought of standing in the square
where these famous people met their end
was rather ominous for me.
Place de la Concorde, meaning harmony,
as a gesture of reconciliation after
the turmoil of the French Revolution.
(minus the guillotine)
Well it changed 2 more times and finally
settled into being Place de la Concorde.
Make up your mind!
(Google image)
The center of the Place is occupied by
a giant Egyptian obelisk containing
hieroglyphics from the reign of
Ramses II.
It once marked the entrance to
the Luxor Temple. The 3,300 year old
obelisk was a gift to France from Egypt
in 1829 and arrived in France in 1833.
I've always been intrigued by Egyptian
artifacts and this did not disappoint!
As you turn towards Rue Royale you see
an incredible fountain, known as
Fontaine des Fleuves or
Fountain of Rivers.
From Place de Concorde we walked
up Rue Royale to La Madeleine.
The most incredible shops were on our
way to La Madeleine! Too many to
recall but who could forget the
famous Maxim's Restaurant?
(Google image)
$$$ No we didn't eat there! $$$
Cha-ching!
Did I mention there's a LOT of walking
in Paris?
Let's travel on to an incredible church,
Eglise La Madeleine!
(Eglise is church in French)
(Google image)
La Madeleine is a Roman-Catholic church.
It's so grand looking with all it's stately columns!
Let's go in...
Marie asked me to look for an angel for her
while in Paris and as we entered there she was.
She was magnificent!
Next to her were candles you could light
to remember your loved ones.
So of course, we lit a candle for Marie.
It's so lovely seeing all the lit candles,
knowing they represent
prayers streaming up to our Lord.
This place was beautiful and huge.
(Google image)
The feeling was so calm and peaceful.
There were many incredible side alters
with impressive statues of the saints.
Words can't even describe the beauty we
saw in this place called La Madeleine.
We leave refreshed and ready for our
trek back to our hotel, our little haven in Paris.
(Google image)
I love this painting I stumbled upon of
the Rue Royale leading to La Madeleine
and knew I wanted to share this
special feeling of Paris with you!
Next I think we'll be visiting the very famous
Notre Dame Cathedral.
You could spend a week in Paris just visiting
the beautiful historic churches and not see
them all!
Blessings to each and every one of you,
Edie & Marie
XOXO
Note: Some images were taken from Google to give
you a better look at the Parisian sites. Some of them
are my own photos.
I love this painting I stumbled upon of
the Rue Royale leading to La Madeleine
and knew I wanted to share this
special feeling of Paris with you!
Next I think we'll be visiting the very famous
Notre Dame Cathedral.
You could spend a week in Paris just visiting
the beautiful historic churches and not see
them all!
Blessings to each and every one of you,
Edie & Marie
XOXO
Note: Some images were taken from Google to give
you a better look at the Parisian sites. Some of them
are my own photos.
Hi Edie, What a wonderful post sharing the history with great pics from France. I love learning all this and seeing the views that you enjoyed on your trip. The churches are amazing and so glad you found a wonderful angel statue for Marie.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and looking forward to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Blessings and Big Hugs to you and you too Marie.
Love, cm
There are no words to say when visiting a church and this was one of the most magnificent . bless your heart for lighting a candle for me and letting me see an Angel...She was glorious of course. I loved the history of the place where all those poor souls met their death. Did you get a funny feeling? a most wonderful post.As always I loved it.
ReplyDeletehow strange that an Egyptian obelisk is front and centre ...in Paris....
ReplyDeletethanks for another day in Paris.... soooo much to see...I bet if you were there a year it would still be hard to see all that a person wanted to see...
ReplyDeleteThe angel in the altar is so magnificent
Since I am catholic I love seeing inside all the cathedrals in France on your trip