Palais Bourbon … The mentioning of this name obviously follows one of the well-known royal families of the Bourbons that it has a direct bearing; the history of their reign of its representatives was seriously reflected on development of France. And the unique historical paradox of the palace lies in the fact that it was the residence of kings of France, and after Revolution it became the place where Democracy was born – the Parliament which is called here the French National Assembly.

But we will return to history. According to historical documents in 1722 marquise de Montespan – Louise-Françoise de Bourbon (in addition the illegitimate daughter of King Louis XIV) has ordered to begin building luxurious apartments and magnificent gardens near to them. As a result, the palace has been constructed in 1728 in remarkable Parisian suburb Saint-Germain near to other palace known nowadays as Matignon, and from the very beginning of the existence became an ornament of the capital city and a place of strolls for inquisitive city visitors. The gardens surrounding the magnificent palace went down to the coast of the main river of Paris the Seine. The palace  has received the name of its first proprietress.

In building of the nowadays monument of architecture such well-known architects of that time as L’Assurance, Jacques Gabriel and Lorenzo Giardini took active part. Initially facade of the building executed on similarity of Versailles Grand Trianon, was facing the University street (today –the Seine quay).

The follower who has entered the property rights was a grandson of the duchess who has decided to give even more luxury and glamour to the palace. The works on reconstruction were conducted throughout many years; however, as it often happens in human life, it was not fated to take pleasure in beauty of the palace for him. There was a Revolution, and Louis Joseph, Prince of Condé had to leave his native land very quickly simply to save his life.

This is how the palace of Bourbons’ residence happened to become the residence of the elected representatives of the people forming National Assembly of the French Republic.

Today the palace causes a great interest in thousand of tourists annually coming to Paris.

Today Rolland Garros 2010 has been started!!! For two weeks Paris will be the capital of the world tennis!

Today in the Le Napoleon cafe I tried the best Hamburgers in Europe! It was a mixture of American-Polish recipe. Very delicious! The place is nice and has a big terrace. The owner of the bar is very friendly and perfectly speaks English!

My personal recommendations specially to those who would like to get good food and drinks for a reasonable money!

I’m adding it to my favorites.

P.S. If you don’t like hamburgers, I recommend you tartare de saumon there.

Delacroix has lodged here in December, 1857 having moved from the previous residence which was settled down on Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. The close arrangement with church l’église Saint-Sulpice became the reason of his choice of this place for the new residence for the well-known artist. Those years the legend of the French and world painting worked over the monumental frescos for a church chapel which is called nowadays the Chapel of sacred angels.

Despite his serious illness master Delacroix has made firm decision to finish one of the most significant works. Therefore he has moved closer to the place where the chapel settled down.

After the death of the great artist the Parisian authorities have made a decision on pulling down the house in which Eugène Delacroix lived to replace it with garages for local residents. And then to avoid so barbarous for all intelligence of the country action, at the initiative of the known artists Maurice Denis and Paul Signac has appeared special “Eugène Delacroix Society”. To the first affairs the new organization has made decision to rent the studio in which the well-known master worked, and in a consequence all house has been rented. Preservation of this historical monument and popularization of works of the artist was an overall objective of the created society.

In the early fifties of the twentieth century the house has been exposed on sale. However “Eugène Delacroix Society” had no money resources to redeem the building, therefore its heads have decided to transfer the collection of Delacroix masterpieces to the French authorities to provide its safety.

The country authorities, nevertheless, have shown respect for the great fellow countryman and have created a museum which today we know, The Museum of Eugène Delacroix. Thanks to it all premises (library, bedroom, hall and studio) where lived and created the remarkable artist are open for all fans of art and admirers of the master’s talent.

The museum exposition consists of Delacroix’s picturesque pictures, drawings, personal correspondence, lithographs which throw light on many moments of life of undoubtedly interesting and talented person. The museum furniture   is produced on the basis of posthumous levy of execution of the artist as original exhibits have been lost in the nineteenth centuries. Under preliminary arrangement with inspectors of the establishment it is possible to get acquainted with some documents concerning life of Delacroix.

In the rest room in which the artist has left this world, there are his family portraits, and also a portrait of the maiden of Delacroix who was remaining with him till his latest sigh. Along with the well-known picture “The Repenting sinner in desert” the frescos created by the master for Valmont abbey are presented here. Except for his works many personal things of the artist which can be interesting to visitors are collected.

According to numerous researchers of art history opera as a musical genre, has appeared in 1600th when the composer from an Italian Florence Jacopo Peri showed to the world opera “Euridice”, dedicated to the wedding of the French monarch Louis XIV and the well-known Maria Medici. And during this king opera got the status of an independent art form.

As memoirs contemporaries of this king testify, he was the aficionado of everything that concerned music he himself being quite a good dancer, took active part in ballet performances. Music accompanied Louis practically everywhere during his reign. And in royal residence musical balls were organized almost each day.

Year of 1669 was marked by opera and ballet inclusion in the French musical academy, and such concepts as “power” and “opera” became henceforth and inseparable at all. Musicians not only participated in regular representations, but also (strangely enough it can sound) have been got quite often mixed up in various political intrigues which always took place in the royal environment. And the first-ever opera and ballet theatre has been created at the French court yard in Versailles in boxes of which serious people were engaged in the decision of the important state problems.

But the Parisian opera, despite of such an exclusive position, had one big problem. For more than two centuries of the existence in view of the different reasons it has changed some tens of concert halls. Thus all of them were far from conformity to the status of the most opera theatre.

And only with Napoleon’s III – who have solved radically to change appearance of all Paris – coming to power, the opera had a chance to receive a due theatre.

The responsible for city building has been appointed Baron Haussmann who is well-known nowadays; he did not recognize any rules and made everything he considered necessary in Paris. The city was transformed beyond recognition for some decades. For good or for bad – we are not to judge, we will notice only that fact that now the French capital is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

However, we will return to the opera. Among hundreds applicants for the role of the architect of the Parisian opera the young man by the name of Charles Garnier on whom the choice of baron Haussmann has fallen has appeared the most successful. Many historians believe that the reason for this was the precise understanding of the architect of trends of that time when everyone dreamt of “glamour”, “luxury” and “shine”.

In theatre premises styles of various epochs were guessed; owing to that uniformity, cleanliness and unity of lines was not observed here absolutely, but it did not affect the general magnificence of the whole image. Later the art experts named the given mixture by big enough words – the style of the Second Empire.

The opening of “Grand Opéra Garnier” has taken place in 1875 when neither Napoleon nor baron Haussmann were in live however despite of everything their child could be born. In that significant day the Parisian Opera (here we speak about it as about an independent theatre) has received the first extremely magnificent house which remains it till today.

We are not going to describe the internal magnificence which homes “Grand Opéra Garnier”, we simply advise you to visit this place personally and to receive unique impressions.

The well-known theatre is to be found at the address: Place de l’Opera

8 rue Scribe Paris 75009.

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And this time on turn is Manufacture Royale des Gobelins (the Parisian Royal manufactory of gobelins). Carpets and gobelins are still produced nowadays in this place.  However the suppressing majority of them is issued on the basis of modern sketches corresponding to fashionable tendencies.

In general, the notion “gobelin” has appeared in use in the seventeenth century when brothers with the same surname the Gobelin have based the Royal manufactory in Paris and the production has received the corresponding name. Gille Gobelin which was a dyer by trade became the first representative of this “gobelin” dynasty moved in Paris from Rheims. This person has opened the dye workshop for wool which in a consequence (in the sixteenth century) has been added by its descendants of a weaver’s workshop which used to have great popularity in France at that times.

During his reign the king Louis XIV (the known dandy and the judge of all fine arts) had got the dye works and the weaver’s workshop, belonging to the family of Gobelins. And the Royal Gobelin workshop was born. Considerable means from royal treasury have been allocated in the development and modernization of the manufacture. The manufactory has begun production of magnificent gobelins which were intended for use exclusively in royal apartments. They were exposed on sale extremely seldom as because of the status of the manufactory cost of gobelins was extremely high and very few people presumed to get themselves these products. Besides decorating the palaces of monarchs gobelins of this manufactory were often given to kings of the friendly states. As gobelins from the royal manufactory were appreciated very highly, to receive them as a gift was considered very honorable, and only few could receive similar honor.

The big money resources (thus the factory practically never brought profits) were always spent for the manufactory maintenance; it continued to be financed from royal treasury, and later from the Republic budget. The enterprise has managed to be kept afloat at all governments at various times without any exception.

Today the Royal Gobelin manufactory is not a usual factory; it represents unique historical art establishment, property and pride of the nation. The proprietor of the manufactory since 1937 is “Mobile National” company.

If you have decided to go with excursion to the Parisian Royal Gobelin manufactory, excellent impressions are guaranteed to you.

The manufactory is near to metro station Les Gobelins, the address: Paris, avenue des Gobelins, 42.

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If to address to history it is possible to notice that the French musical culture was substantially affected by the Roman-Italian traditions. So, many researchers assert that in the seventh century in music of Italy and France many common features were observed. First of all it was influenced by the Catholic Church which by that time had huge influence on Apennines peninsula and expanded it in other countries of Europe.

However, the Catholic dogmatism in the French music has given way to musical traditions of the Celtic tribes.

It is remarkable, that exactly monks from the French monasteries became founders of the theoretical base (polyphony, the musical letter) which musicians use today. The tenth century was marked by blossoming of the epic musical genre which has been focused on caroling of medieval ladies and their nice knights, valorously and bravely battling for the beloved France.

The brightest representatives of music of that time were jugglers who in parallel with circus performances sang songs. Besides, as a rule, these musicians performed the music of exclusively own composition.

In the thirteenth century blossoming of the French song genre has been noted. At that time any significant action did not do without performing ballads and rondo. And then in the country stringed, percussion and wind musical instruments began to appear.

The French Revolution has left the significant trace not only in political life of the country, but also in music. The people battling on the Parisian barricades, composed thousands of songs. Part for them is known to musicologists today, and most known of them, such as the Marseillaise and Carmagnole, are popular with the people.

The period after the First World War is noted by a great popularity of the American and South American musical directions. The so-called genre “revue” which has come from across the ocean, was represented, for example, by such performers as Josephine Baker, Mistinguett and Maurice Auguste Chevalier. On musical scene in 1930-40th it was already observed a bigger variety of styles and directions; then the brilliant career of Édith Piaf has begun, who by right is the foundress of modern French song art.

After the Second World War France has received a new direction in music which has received the name “chanson” (do not confuse it to “Russian chanson”) which brightest representatives were Leo Ferre, Jacques Brel, Boris Vian and, naturally, Charles Aznavour.

In the sixties France has not stood aside from gaining popularity all over the world twist and rock-n-roll, and the most significant French representatives of the given genres are Silvie Vartan and Johnny Hollyday.

Since eightieth the French performers have even more often started to mix many musical genres in the songs (jazz, chanson, blues, rock …). Today all over the world such names as Patricia Kaas, Mylene Farmer and Vanessa Paradis which adequately continue to develop nice traditions of the French music are known.

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Certainly, being in Paris, it is possible to move from one sight to another by an excursion bus or a rented car. But in that case you risk passing set of fine details which in many respects form originality of this city. For this reason Parisians advise to visitors to give more time to the pedestrian walks.

Necessarily take advantage of possibility to make a tour on the Seine onboard the small river bus intended specially for tourists. We recommend doing it at night-time when a ship projector will magically shine the river and its magnificent quays.

Take a pleasure in the late evening to rise on one of viewing platforms of legendary Tour Eiffel or to the well-known Montmartre. From height of the bird’s flight the magnificent carpet of Paris flickering with billiards of fires will be spread before you. You can never describe this Parisian night beauty with words; however for ever keep it in memory.

Walk on vicinities of place Pigalle, original “debauchery nest”. Though it is not the Dutch Amsterdam, but also local pip-shows and sex shops are in a condition to surprise tourists.

Having visited the Louvre it is possible to go slowly to le jardin des Tuileries which was favorite promenade spot of many French monarchs, and to walk on its beautiful and well-groomed avenues, and further the Champs Elysée open a way to a majestic Arch Triomphe.

So, you will receive unforgettable impressions of the pedestrian walks on Latin Quarter (the most ancient Parisian restaurants still keep history particles), the vicinities of place Saint-Michel settle down here. The bottom of Notre Dame de Paris has great popularity; visiting of a belfry of this cathedral is quite popular. If you have a desire to get acquainted with truly Parisian shopping, then you should take left-bank streets Dauphin and Bucy.

It is simply impossible to tell about all interesting places of such big and old city as Paris in a small article, therefore always the best decision is visiting it.

Come, order tours around Paris and simply walk in Paris and then you will necessarily feel its originality and receive a lot of pleasure.

The Louvre became a museum rather recently (only about two hundred years ago); however it has more than 800-years’ history.

Initially on this place there was a defensive medieval fortress which after some time was transformed to the magnificent palace belonging to the French royal family.

In general, the Louvre-fortress is directly obliged by the occurrence to the king of France Philippe Auguste who has published the corresponding decree in the end of the twelfth century. However, time passed, kings had been leaving this world, on their place others came, and each of them had his own view on what should the Louvre be. Therefore for the long history it was constantly completed and reconstructed, owing to what to find something from a primary fortress today is obviously hardly possible.

Now it is difficult to imagine, however when in the end of the seventeenth century the royal residence has moved to not less well-known nowadays Versailles, the Louvre has appeared absolutely thrown, and (thank God that it did not happen) in the middle of the next century the palace could have been taken down as superfluous.

But the times of troubles of desolation and the first Revolution passed and the attention of masters have again been riveted on the Louvre. The first fans of art have visited the Louvre-museum in 1793. Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte has also made a decision to renew work on reconstruction and the Louvre building. After that here appeared the museum which became the world history as one of the nicest and richest on art masterpieces. Napoleon has enjoined each conquered nation to transfer to the museum a part from the works of art.

The museum had received that external shape which many of us had a possibility to admire, in 1871; then the first serious “brick” has been put to its collection. It is the collection of works of art of the King François I – the monarch has started to collect it in the sixteenth century. In a consequence it was supplemented with kings Louis XIII’ and Louis XIV’ collections.

Today the Louvre has about 400000 exhibits among which it is possible to find those created during far times of the occurrence of the most ancient civilizations. For example, here it is possible to see statues from Assyrian king Sargon II palace, dated eighth century B.C.

In the early eighties under the decision of the President of France François Mitterand there have begun the Louvre restoration works thanks to which many elements of the building destroyed by time have been restored. And, naturally, there was already a well-known pyramid made of glass by architect Ieoh Ming Pei.

People go to Paris with various purposes. Someone to see the Louvre and Pompidou’s Center, someone – to take a walk on quays of the Seine …

But there are also those who go to Paris to visit cemeteries about which we will tell in our article.

Modern Parisian cemeteries are situated on the place of the city cemeteries of the beginning of the nineteenth century; therefore the oldest tombs are dated this time.

In the centre of Paris there is Cimetière de Passy, and others three – Cimetière de Montmartre, Cimetière du Montparnasse and Père Lachaise settle down in northern, southern and eastern parts of the city accordingly. Annually about ten thousand foreign tourists – judges of silence of local avenues- visit them.

One of the greatest cemeteries of Paris is Père Lachaise. Among those interred here are: Molière and Honoré de Balzac, Édith Piaf and Sarah Bernhardt, Amedeo Modigliani and Jean de La Fontaine, Oscar Wilde and Marcel Proust and many other known people. The most visited on a cemetery is the tomb of the founder of legendary American rock group The Doors – Jim Morrison who has become the symbol of the whole generation of people in the different countries of the world. Daily near his memorial it is possible to see groups of tourists and sets of flowers.

Cimetière de Montmartre is the cemetery which is situated in the northern part of the city; it has been opened in the end of the first quarter of the nineteenth century on a place of an old mine on extraction of plaster. Since then there has appeared more than twenty thousand tombs on a cemetery. The most well-known people buried here are André-Marie Ampère, René Waldeck-Rousseau, Lili Boulanger, Hector Berlioz, Horace Vernet, Jean-Claude Briali and Victor Brauner.

On the southern cemetery Cimetière du Montparnasse, established in 1824, the great Russian chess player world champion Alexander Alekhin, the former head of the government of Iran Shapour Bakhtiar, the French poet and playwright Théodore de Banville and other well-known persons are buried here.

In the suburbs of the French capital cimetière communal de Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois founded by natives of Russia settles down. Here the last shelter was found by many representatives of Russian emigration in Paris.

We will acquaint you with the Parisian cemeteries in more details, their history and well-known “lodgers” later in our new materials.

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