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Hotel Residence des
Arts is ideally located for guests who want to plan a
number of interesting strolling itineraries. Start with the
nearby area:
The Saint Germain des Pres and Latin Quarter:
Even today this quarter is associated with the existentialism of
the 1950's, with Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir writing
at the Cafe Flore, and with Boris Vian and Raymond Queneau. The
"invasion" (over the past 30 years) of luxury boutiques is
replacing the book stores and cinemas from this area, although a
historical preservation association has now been created to
preserve that which still remains.
Notre Dame (5 minutes):
Construction of Notre-Dame de Paris began in 1163 AD during the
reign of Louis VII. Pope Alexander III laid the foundation
stone. The idea to replace the Romanesque church occupying the
site - the Cathedral of St. Etienne (founded by Childebert in
528) - was that of Bishop Maurice de Sully (who died in 1196).
It was completed roughly 200 years later in about 1345
Le Louvre : (10 Minutes)
The Louvre, famous museum, has dominated central Paris
since the late 12th century. Built on the city's western edge,
the original structure was gradually engulfed as the city grew.
The dark fortress of the early days was transformed into the
modernized dwelling of François I and, later, the sumptuous
palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV.
Tour Eiffel: (15
minutes)
This world-famous landmark was built for the Universal Fair
of 1889, held to commemorate the centenary of the French
Revolution. It stands 1050 ft high.
Les Invalides: (15 minutes)
Its construction started in 1671 under the
reign of King Louis the XIVth. From its beginning, the place was
designed to serve as a home to impoverished soldiers and wounded
veterans of the French army. It comprises the veteran hospital
itself, a church, several museums, and the tomb of
Napoleon I. |
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