Alexis L. Olson
Dr. Whalen
Maymester in Paris,
2004
When
one thinks of Paris, it evokes images of old films. Tourists see the fictional
Paris or the Paris that is exploited by the ParisianÕs dependence on the money
from the business of tourism. Its visitors are mesmerized by the thoughts of
the romantic embraces, the night walks along the Seine, and the intriguing
whispers in front of the dimly lit cafes. These are all images embedded in the
minds of Paris appre
ciators. Is this the way the Parisians see their Paris, or
has it become something different to them?
It
is difficult for tourists to imagine how residents of such a beautiful city
such as Paris could forget their history. In a way
it just becomes second nature for them to live there, while tourists like
myself would love nothing more than to go back and visit as soon as possible. Establishments that have now
become tourist attractions were initially meant for another purpose. The Sacre
Coeur (Sacred Heart) which is a well known church in Paris that sees many
visitors daily was not meant to be such. Some of its visitors are residents but
most are touri
sts. There are street vendors awaiting your entrance and exit
selling tacky trinkets. It is amazing how these Parisians have taken such a
sacred institution like a church and desecrated it by transforming it into a
tourist trap. As bad as it seems to have street vendors outside of a church, we
the tourists go to see the sites and to buy the memorabilia. Another amusing
part about the Sacre Coeur is its extremely close proximity to The Moulin
Rouge. It is ironic that a glorified whore house would be located down the
street from a famous church. It is understandable why both of these historical
buildings with completely opposite purposes are equally celebrated among the
people. Neither of the buildings were originally built for the intent of
tourism. The Arc de Triumph is a major monument not built for tourists, but to
celebrate Napoleon and his victories. Today it is probably one of the most
photographed spots in the city of Paris. It is not to say that Americans donÕt
have o
ur own tourist traps, but ours were designed with specifically that idea
in mind.
The
most surprising tourist spot out of them all is the Cimetiere du Pere
Lachaise. This is a large cemetery
that houses some of ParisÕs more famous people in history. Victor Hugo, who was
known for his writing talents in poetry, novels, and essays, was buried there.
Hugo may be best remembered for his extraordinary work in playwriting, with his
most popular being Les Miserables.
This cemetery also houses Collette who was another famous French
novelist. As most would know the French have always loved cabaret singing. It is a part of their culture as well
as their history. The French cabare
t singer Edith Piaf was buried in Pere
Lachaise. Piaf got her name from a club she sang at called Le Mome Piaf or
little sparrow. She dropped her motherÕs very Italian name and actually
followed in her footsteps. She began singing in the streets and was noticed by
a club owner. Towards the height of her career, Europe was at war. Her fans
began to wonder where her national loyalty was. She had done shows for the
French soldiers, but she had also performed for the Nazis. Her tour throughout
Europe at this time sent her career to the top. Having discussed the famous
French people in history that made them proud, there is also an American buried
in Lachaise whom pleases them none too much. The lead singer of The Doors, Jim
Morrison, spent his last days in his apartment in Paris. The French are very
angry that he is buried there. Some of the tourists who have come to visit
MorrisonÕs grave have behaved in a manner not fit for a house of the dead.
Although tourists would flock to
the cemetery to see the rock and roll legend,
the Parisians felt that this was negative attention. Visitors would steal the
top part of MorrisonÕs head stone and the police would bring it back.
Eventually the headstone portrait if Morrison was removed for good. For the
Pere Lachaise having become such a tourist attraction, it is surprising that
they would not welcome all attention even to an AmericanÕs grave.
One
of the most famous forbidden love stories in history took place in France. The
story of Heloise and Abelard is like the Romeo and Juliet of France. This
couple being buried at the Pere Lachaise as well as the tragic nature of their
tale is perfect for the romantic city of Paris. Heloise was the niece of a
wealthy merchant and Pierre Abelard was a priest. Abelard became HeloiseÕs
tutor to enabl
e him to see her often. They fell in love very fast and secretly
married. Heloise birthed his child and sent the baby to stay with her sister.
When the uncle found out what had happened, he sent men to castrate Abelard.
Heloise was rejected by him when she tried to console him. They were convinced
that they were being punished by God for their sins. In the end of their lives
both Heloise and Abelard realized their love for each other and put in writing
in their famous love letters. Although their relationship remained platonic in
life, they lie next to one another for eternity. This is the quintessential
forbidden love story. Lovers still to this day search out the grave of Heloise
and Abelard. It may reaffirm some feelings for the cuddling tourists to see
lovers together forever, but it is still a cemetery. There are people at the
Pere Lachaise who are searching out a loved ones graves. How happy would the
dead be in knowing that their eternal bed has become a spot for view
ers from
all over the world? History is made by people and the people are buried in
Paris. The History of Paris will live on in infamy through the tourist
spectacle that has become the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise. It seems that the
businesses in Paris attempt to recreate romance for the tourists to enjoy which
reminds them of the Paris they have seen in the movies. They capitalize on
their history, but more importantly on their perceived history.
One
of the largest, if not the largest attraction to Paris is its art collections.
There are so many amazing museums. The Louvre contains more of the classical
art as well as the stepping stones of art that helped sculpt it into what it is
today. It was quite an experience to be face to face with the Mona Lisa
fighting the crowd just to snap a picture of her. Th
ere is also art there for
the more modern art lovers. The Pompidou Centre houses some of the strangest
modern pieces that I have ever seen. It is a rush for the tourists to walk up
and look at pieces done by Dali and Picasso. To see with the naked eye all the
details, as well as the perfect brush strokes are reasons enough for tourists
to flock to Paris. If a couple of PicassoÕs arenÕt good enough, one can visit
the Picasso Museum and surround themselves in his work. Fans of impressionism
and the other formulating modern art movements have the Musee DÕOrsay to see
Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas. The museums are not the only place to find art. The
Eiffel Tower is an unbelievably large scale piece of artwork. Its sheer size
and amount of steel make it a marvel. The true artistic aspect of the tower
comes when the sun goes down. The way the tower sparkles when it lights up at
night is indescribable. It is truly a sight to see before dying. The Palace of
Versailles is itself a piece
of art, but is also full of massive large scale
paintings. Versailles expresses the extreme pride that France had in its
history centuries ago. Has this pride been over shadowed by the need for money
from tourism?
As
far as Paris selling itself, they know what they are doing. The city of Paris
does just that, sells itself. While strolling down a city block one can learn
much of the French culture. All of the buildings that you see are pieces of art
themselves. Old Hotels and apartment buildings remind us how much history Paris
has. All of the bridges connecting the center of the city to the outside
demonstrate the extreme growth of Paris and how the outer city sprouted around
its core. Its cultural diversity and the amounts of people who flocked to the
city
may have necessitated expansion. It is truly a melting pot of diversity.
Their cuisine is a big part of their culture. They love to eat their food as
fresh as possible. Every corner has a store to buy fresh produce as well as
cheese. Once or twice a week in certain parts of the city the people will hold
a giant outdoor market. The French havenÕt bought into the supermarket culture
like the Americans. They place a great importance on the quality of their food,
and will stop at four different markets if necessary. Meat, bread, cheese, and
vegetables can all be bought in separate locations. It is rare to see obesity
to the extent that we have it in the U.S. There may be a combination of
reasons. The freshness of the food combined with the amount of walking that
French people do may be part of it. There are also cafes everywhere you look in
Paris. For the tourists the outdoor cafes are romantic and mysterious. Spending
an afternoon outside enjoying a glass of Bordeaux and eatin
g a panini sandwich
leaves you virtually stress free. Although the French cuisine is important,
they also appreciate the foods and customs of other inhabiting cultures.
The
Parisian people have less unnecessary stressors in their lives. It seems that
they place less importance on the things that stress Americans out. They are
very fortunate as far as their health care and educational programs. Health
care for residents of France is virtually free, and college students do not pay
much for their education. This leaves Parisians with more time to worry about
other more important things. The French people embrace life more and take the
time out of their day to do so. On the trip a group of us had a picnic in a
park near the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise. We gathered fresh vegetables,
baguette and cheese, and
a couple of bottles of wine. We ate our lunch, drank
our wine and took an afternoon nap in the park. It was one of the most relaxing
afternoons of my life. We decided that we all needed to lie in the grass more
often.
Whether
or not Paris truly does sell itself, I have bought into the Paris mystique.
Going to this great city was one of the best experiences of my life. I am
looking forward to returning soon. It is one thing to read about all of this in
books and another to see with your own eyes. Paris stimulates not just site,
but sound, smell, and touch. It evokes emotions some people had forgotten they
had.
*********************************************************************
A Trip to Paris
Megan L
uksa
Maymester in Paris,
2004
Paris
has been considered a metropolis of beauty, history, and romance filled with
culture and diversity. For many, it is a wonderful place to live, and for many
more it is a wonderful place to visit. In May of 2004, Coastal Carolina offered
a history class that involved traveling to Paris and seeing it first hand. The
students were allowed to see everything they had read about, an opportunity not
many pe
ople have. Visiting major monuments such as the Eiffel tower, museums
such as the Louvre, and historic churches and buildings was a great way to experience
history first hand.
For
being the first time most students had visited Paris, let alone another
country, not many had any idea what to expect. From the window of the plane
when first flying over France, the homes and landscapes which were visible made
the time period hard to discern. Upon landing and driving to Paris from the
airport the sites resembled that of any other metropolitan city. Modernity
certainly had taken over some historical sites and areas. Yet the city of Paris
itself seemed to have the perfect balance of modernity and history.
One
of the first places visited on the trip was the city of Versailles. Versailles
is of historical importance because it was the home of the Louis XIV. Because
King Louis did not want to live in the poverty stricken society of Paris at the
time, in which the streets were filled with trash and the people were dying of
hunger, he built his palace miles outside the city. The palace is an amazing
piece of architecture that encompasses the shallow values of a king at the
time. The building is coated with gold and beautiful paintings. Each room is
luxurious masterpiece of architecture and design. The gardens outside of the
palace are equally beautiful, and a tourist attraction in themselves. The
people behind the French revolution brought their fight into the palace and
kidnapped the king and queen, ultimately bringing them to their death. They
murdered the monarchy and put into place Napoleon, who then named h
imself
emperor. Inside the palace traces
of the emperor are seen, especially the painting of Napoleon crowning himself
emperor. Versailles was also the place in which then infamous Treaty of
Versailles was signed by the major countries involved in World War I. Also
present was the president of the United States, the leader of England and
Russia. The treaty placed all blame for the war on Germany. Any historian would
take pleasure being in the same place that such milestones of history took
place, and I think the students on the trip felt a surreal feeling, whether
they were informed of the history fully or not.
Next
the students traveled to the Louvre, which lies in the heart of Paris. The
Louvre is a museum known throughout the world. Everything from ancien
t Egyptian
artifacts to prominent artistic paintings is displayed throughout the museum.
Although uncomfortably crowded, we were able to see such things as the Mona
Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci and other paintings and sculptures. For most, these
pictures and artifacts remain pictures in books, and they will never experience
them first hand. The fact that the items in the Louvre are so well known
throughout the world and their homes are now in Paris, definitely says
something about the city. No one would expect to find the Mona Lisa in Myrtle
Beach, but it is not surprising that an Italian artistsÕ painting is found in
Paris and not Italy. That is because Paris has made itself a cultural center
for art. The Louvre is a great example of how Paris is a center for art, but
there are other museums of art in Paris that make the city equally special. The
Orsay Museum is also located in Paris. The museum is home to more modern art
and a different movement of art such as impressionism. I
mpressionist art began
in France, and arguable Paris. Countless other museums are in Paris, from a
modern art museum to a museum of history of science. These places have
attracted visitors from across the world, and give Paris a uniqueness that no
other country can have.
Historical
churches are another tourist attraction in Paris that we as a group had the
opportunity to visit. Most notably we went to the Cathedral of Notre Dame. The
church itself was huge and overwhelming. The infamous bell tower was quite the
hike but well worth the view of the city. The gargoyles were also worth the tiresome
walk up the ridiculously tall spiral staircase. The balance between modernity
and history was also present at the church. The front of the church was
dedicated to a tourist gift shop were people could by gifts a
nd souvenirs,
while a mass for the Feast of the Ascension was going on inside the cathedral.
Another church we visited was the church in which Napoleons tomb is located.
The tomb is huge, as is the coffin in which Napoleon supposedly lies. Along
with Napoleon his father and nephew are apparently laid to rest there. It is
hard to tell whether the church is in honor of God or Napoleon, but that is how
Napoleon lived his life, feeling like he was better and more important than
most.
More
modern sites include the Eiffel Tower. The tower is amazingly large and also
worth a trip to the top. From the top one can see the entire city. The view
included a mixture of historically notable buildings and modern skyscrapers.
However, if one were to visit the Eiffel tower, it would be highly recommended
that they take
the elevator down instead of the stairs.
Getting
through the city was an adventure in itself. Most of us had never been on a
subway system, let alone in a huge city. The fact the large city was so easily
navigated by way of the metro was amazing to me.
Outside
of the group trips a few of us went to the historic catacombs. Back during the
French revolution when the city was trying to be cleaned up and many people
were dying, the cemeteries were becoming so overcrowded. The best solution was
to move all the bodies underneath the city to make the above ground more
desirable with a less overwhelming smell. For five Euros you can wal
k through
one mile of the catacombs. The underground was already dug out because it used
to be a lime mine for when they were building bridges. The skeletons of the
dead were moved and placed in the catacombs. The walls were decorated with
human skulls and other bones. If one didnÕt know better, they would think it
was an out of a movie and not real, yet it was very real. There are over 6
million bodies lying underneath the streets of Paris, and we only saw a
handful.
On
one of our last days we visited the Champ-Eylsees. Walking down this endless
strip of expensive shops and fine dining places one would have thought they
were in the modern cultural center of the world, or at least for rich people.
This is another example of how Paris balances modernity and history. Here,
there is a view of the Arc of Tr
iumph which Napoleon built at one end, and the
huge Virgin Records store at the other. The two would never be thought of
together yet exist side by side.
Overall
Paris was a wonderful city to visit. The people were unexpectedly friendly
considering the impression the United States likes to give of French people.
The city was easily maneuverable and the sites were breathtaking. I thoroughly
enjoyed my visit to Paris and would hope to return soon.
Cara Nelson
Paris: Old and New
Almost
everyone has a preconceived notion of what Paris is like even if they havenÕt
been there. To some people it is
romantic, to others it is a city of architecture and great historical content,
and yet there are those who still think Paris is the glamorous city of the
1920Õs. One conception that is
correct is that Paris is a city of revolution, so therefore it is constantly
changing, but how Paris is viewed isnÕt altered until the city is experienced
first hand. Modernization has
swept over this old city; the aged isnÕt forgotten, but the two are integrated
in a graceful manner keeping ParisÕ deep roots intact.
My
vision of Paris was the glamorous 1920Õs and 1930Õs era. Paris between the wars was Ņa moveable
feastÓ referred to as the City of Light.
Certain American writers portrayed Paris as semi-magical and a place
where anything was possible and inspiration was limitless. All of the literature that I have read
containing images of Paris matches this description. I thought Paris would be a crazy bustling city, when
actually it was a well organized flowing metropolis. At that time Paris was anything but secure, but today is has
a firm foothold. From a big
picture view Paris is just like any other large city; th
ere are lots of people,
tons of stores, public transportation, noise, and vagabonds. To me this was a very disappointing
aspect, but once each thing is looked at individually the differences become
noticeable. Architecture is
completely different, mannerisms donÕt compare, restaurants and stores arenÕt
the same, and no city in the USA has any comparable history. Just about everything was different
than what I had expected and that is how I would like to explain the old, the
new, and the imagination of Paris.
World
War I had created a clash between those that wanted modernity
to take over and those that wanted to restore prewar conditions; this clash
today is still evident in the architecture. When building emphasis was placed on Paris; the suburbs were
seen as an inferior area.
Architectural education in France was very important and in 1903
parliament set up a number of Beaux-Arts schools in cities. This was the time of ParisÕ most
brilliant architecture. It focused
on the elegant French classical style that had emerged at the end of the Second
Empire. Since there was more
variety than there had been during the Second Empire architects began to
develop distinctness. The basic
imperial type took over apartment buildings and villas. Iro
nwork became richer, while brickwork
and rotundas became more common.
These baroque and rococo styles were prominent in the Second
Empire. Some architects began to
revolt against the repetition and geometry of the Second Empire and opted to
make buildings more modest. The
challenge of modernity was now evident from the contrast of designs on the
street. Art Nouveau began to
affect apartment buildings, but withered away quickly. It was secure in interior design, but
the exhibition of 1900 helped to create a demand architecturally. The first metro line was deliberately
opened to coincide with the exhibition to symbolize Parisian modernity. Art Nouveau had very little
influence
on the city, except that art was playing a bigger role now than
classicism. The past, present and
future are all integrated into Paris.
Almost every building is so large with intricate designs and wonderful
stone/brick work. Yet you can see
American stores beginning to line the streets, hotels beginning to look more
modern, and just about everywhere one looks there is a metro stop. All of these things blend in well with
ParisÕ old buildings. According to
Lortsch, the beauty of Paris resides in the harmony between the buildings and
streets. Paris is a very well
organized thought out city that runs very smoothly. A view from the Eiffel Tower will prove this
to be true.
The
Sacrˇ-Coeur is an unusual piece of architecture in Paris. The war with Prussia generated the idea
to create a building that would draw attention to the sins and weaknesses that
had caused the French defeat. A
number of priests were murdered during the Commune of 1871 and the Church began
to see the monument as an expression of a moral condemnation of the sins of
Paris. It was also a protest
against the self-indulgence of the Second Empire, which is evident in the
simplistic style of this basilica.
It was built on the summit of the hill in Montmarte to allow the Ōact of
expiationÕ to be visible from most of Pari
s. Even though it was a symbolic site expressing guilt,
atonement and good intentions, the surfaces were bare, white, and viewed as a
monstrosity, resulting in it having no influence on architecture in the city
below. Some of us went to a
concert in Montmarte and this area now appears to be the younger nightlife
area, adorned with many little shops.
It still lingers with the heart of Paris, but it definitely showed the
population contrast and interracial couples that werenÕt frowned upon.
Churches
are an essential part of ParisÕ past and everyday life. Sainte-Chapelle is another historic
church in Paris, but no longer serves a
function for mass, except on Saint Yves
Day in May, which ironically was the day that we visited the church. Notre Dame is probably the most well
known church in France and many other places in the world. Notre Dame of Paris is the national symbol. The site where it stands was a
sacrificial place of virgins by Druids and where Romans worshipped the Great
Mother. The construction of this
cathedral began in 1163 by Pope Alexander III; it was completed two centuries
later. Notre DameÕs gothic
appearance is very pleasing to the eye and very spiritually invoking, as was
the service of Ascension that we saw going on. Ma
ny great events occurred here, such as the coronation of
Napolˇon I and Napolˇon III was married there.
Yet
another church is Les Invalides where NapolˇonÕs tomb is located beneath the
golden dome. Napolˇon was buried
for 19 years before his body was moved into the numerous coffins and tomb that
it is in now, surrounded by family members. Located in the same area is World War I and World War II museums. Those wars were by far more devastating
and critical than the ridiculous ŅwarsÓ going on now, but by looking through
the museums warfare was totally different. Personally I view those soldiers as more honorary and valid
than the ones that are fighting today.
Many leaders appear to have a sense in them to be dictators. Hitler followed his role model Napolˇon
and made all of the same mistakes as him, just as our president is following
what his father had done in the past.
Napolˇon
is a key figure in history, especially that of France. Most everyone has heard of the Arc de
Triomphe and has a vague mental picture of it even if they havenÕt seen
it. I am included in this group of
people. It was built to honor
NapolˇonÕs soldiers and celebrate Napolˇon as the emperor a ŅNew Rome.Ó The sculptures and stonework are amazing
and enormously large, just as every other historic building in Paris is.
There
are numerous museums in Paris, which is necessary to hold all of the history
that is there. The Louvre grew out
of a fortress and a royal palace.
The first thing that our group walked through was the
wall in the
Louvre. In the 1200s when Philip
Augustus was rebuilding the city walls he decided to turn it into a
castle. Not only is this an
essential part of ParisÕ history, but many other objects from different
civilizations are here. The code
of Hammurabi interested me the most because most of every countryÕs laws are
somehow based on this ancient piece of work. This museum allows you to begin with antiquity and work your
way through western civilization all covered with the modernity of the metro
stop that takes you to the inside of the Louvre ornamented with stores, and by
the glass pyramid that covers this great museum. I am more of a visual person so I liked the Musee dÕOrsay
better, plus antiquity isnÕt really my thing. Also I like how impressionism catches the moment and I feel
like I can somehow relate to these works more than I can to the ancient
works. The room that I enjoyed the
most was the Grand Ballroom; it reminds me of the elegant Paris that once
was. The birth of Venus painting
is also located here, which compliments the divine setting. Of all the museum type places
Versailles had the biggest impact on me.
Versailles was its own community and set the standards for all of
Europe. The artwork, architecture,
and enormous size were captivating.
I had heard of Versailles before and read about it in my history books,
but I had never expected anything of the sort.
One could only imagine how the palace would look with the
liveliness of the nobles and all the commotion, but all it is now is a reminder
of the ancient regime, and whether you were born rich or poor, and how times
have drastically changed. Louis XIV created the first absolutist and centralized state here, which was
a turning point in how civilization ran.
Paris
depended on immigration which is evident in the multitude of nationalities and
races. The wars affected the class
structure; the cityÕs character was challenged by mass produced goods and
department stores. In
dustrial
workers had to flee to the suburban slums and Paris gained a new class of white
collar workers. I noticed that
many of the people on the metro appeared to have the normal 9-5 business look,
which I thought would be rare.
None of the stores over there are anything like Americas though. There are many small shops, markets,
and wine stores. The grocery
stores and pharmacies are completely different also. We went into Monoprix, which was a grocery store and
department store. I donÕt think
there is any place like that in the USA even though in Paris stores like that
are considered standardization.
Standardization also occurred in the nightclubs. Foreigners and wealthy Parisians once
came in search of exotic slumming.
I thought that I would find many jazz clubs, but what I found where a
lot of places that had American liquor and American pop music. Mass culture has definitely had an
affect on consumer life.
Even
though Paris is a great historical center it has fallen into modernity. The most well known, and noticeable
piece of progress is the Eiffel Tower; to some it is a magnificent piece of
technology and to others it is just sheepish like everything else current. The information that canÕt be denied is
that it is a symbol of gathering. I
t was built for the Centennial WorldÕs Fair,
where masses would join and never forget this piece of architecture. Even post-war Paris of 1945 was still
inching its way into the contemporary world. The metro was still used frequently, women were liberated,
and many buildings, roads, bridges and the like were being rebuilt across
Paris. After the war Paris lost
its place in ballet, music, and art; this city had no other choice but to turn
to the latest items such as film and fashion. A major cleanup of the city began in the 1950Õs which resulted
in new buildings and restoration of old buildings; at the same time Paris was
becoming new, while staying old.
Today
Paris still remains a romantic city; based on emotions and not reason. It has always been a city of revolution
and change, and will continue to be.
All of these revolutions have impacted ParisÕ theatre, fashion, press,
and architecture, somehow making it more elegant than it had previously
been. As organized as Paris was
and still is there always seems to be social unrest. Many were in love with the legend of Bonaparte and tried
many coups of their own. Napolˇon
didnÕt receive the usual burial, for many thought he was the legitimate
sovereign of France and deserved an extraordinary reburial. Paris is a city that keeps its
nostalgia intact; as mentioned before many monuments wer
e built for
Napolˇon. This wasnÕt done on
accident or just for the sake of beauty; I believe that Parisians knew that
they had a great historical city and must keep the information integral and
visible.
The degree of unrest isnÕt as strong as
it once was, but protests and the comparable are very common presently. In a sense this uncertainty keeps a
government and the population on their toes and constantly reevaluating their
surroundings instead of just accepting what is around them. Paris has lost some of its 1920Õs
glamour, but is still such a cultural city. High fashion is still at its peak, 350,000 foreigners
live in Paris, and a drastic amount of tourists visit every year to experience
the Paris that they have set in their minds. Paris is a historical city with many beginnings and
advances, but the Paris of today is what one makes of it.
The
pre-Paris and after Paris are different to everyone. I think that people make Paris what they want it to be until
they actually experience it. Paris
is an ancient city surrounded by the modern world; cars rush by, construction
is going on, and skyscrapers can be found with ease, but not in the cent
ral
city due to building regulations.
All the while one can still experience the cafˇ setting that has been
prominent for well over a hundred years and take in the cityÕs history by just
glancing up at a nearby building.
Paris has gone to great lengths to keep its past alive. American cities may somewhat resemble
Paris, but Paris is much more structured and has had a great deal more time to
become this way. The USA could
only hope that its history will be as great and that its cities will run as
smoothly. Paris is a blend of past
and present and pulls it off in a manner that no other city could obtain and
that is why Paris has a location somewhere in everyoneÕs lives.
*********************************************************************
Chris Walsh
Maymester in Paris,
200
2000 Years of
History
I
find myself longing to be back in the city of lights walking th
e streets for
the next cafˇ to rest my feet.
What is it about this magical city that makes you want to come back for
more? Could it be the beautiful
architecture that surrounds your every move, or maybe the addictive nightlife
that begins to take place once the sun finally does go down? What if I told you that it was a blend
of everything? Everything from
that first Parisian up in the morning watering his or hers terrace flowers, to
the dog that just walked himself across the street, to the open windows and
doors that welcome everyone on each and every street corner. Paris is a hub for
the independent; a city with a magical vibe in the air that canÕt be explained
in words but rather felt with each and every visit. Paris is a place where you can let go of
everything, and
take it all in at the same time. A
place where going for a walk turns into an all day excursion through numerous
arrondisements only because your eyes canÕt get enough of the vibrant culture
all around. This city has a heart
all its own and if you listen carefully enough, or stare at Mona just long
enough, you might get to witness a rare and beautiful surprise.
Being
a spoiled American, I am very aware of the country which I am from. The history, the people, the cultures,
or should I say every other countries culture rolled into a massive melting
pot. Us Americans
are all very
proud of where were from, maybe a little too proud, but why is it that we feel
this way? Parisians have 2,000
years of history and culture under their belts and they donÕt seem to make it
as big of a deal. Granted there
are some that could give us a lesson or two on both countries, but for the most
part the Parisians keep their history wrapped up inside each and every street
corner you pass, and in the hearts and souls of each and every citizen. Our 500 something years of history
doesnÕt even compare to the amount of time that France and Paris in general has
been on the map, but we really like to think that it does.
America
sells itself in a massive business scheme that is centered on money. That might be a little harsh of a
description, but after visiting a country like France and a city such as Paris
one comes to realize that there really are other ways to live ones life. In America we are bombarded everyday by
advertisements of all kinds. We
are consumed by the idea of not to do what we have to in order to survive and
be happy, but to become fat and rich by doing whatever it takes to reach that
dream. America sells itself with
things such as movies, cheesy restaurants, overpaid athletes, overcrowded
cities and big business. We are
the strongest, most powerful country in the world and we know it. Does anyone see a p
roblem with all of
this? What happened to doing what
makes you happy and selling the same.
Thinking
about how Paris sells itself is a little bit more difficult for an American to
realize. Of course Paris and
France in general have some big business just as America does, but what about
all of the smaller businesses. No
matter what street youÕre on in downtown Paris your going to find small shops
and stores of all kinds. The whole
city was built in a way that now accommodates for small business to take
place. First floors of almost
every b
uilding in the city are used for some kind of business. Thinking about it makes me laugh
because the word business just doesnÕt seem to fit into this equation. Walking down the streets it seems more
like necessity how these establishments are carefully placed throughout the
city. On one corner a small
grocery store, the next a bakery and right next door lies a fresh fruit and
vegetable stand. Everything you
need to live a happy and healthy life all just a cigarettes walk away from any
apartment in the city. Paris sells
itself to the people of the city.
Every small shop and storeowner is giving back something to everyone
else, even to us tourists. ThatÕs
what really
gets me about this city.
Paris is a hub to the world, a major city by anyoneÕs definition that
accommodates tourists of all kinds on the regular, but maintains itself as a
city of locals, a city all its own without even trying. While tourists flock the streets in
packs of forty-two Parisians go about their normal lives without batting an eye,
and why wouldnÕt they?
Another
way that Paris represents itself is through the beautiful architecture all
around the city. The Eiffel Tower
is amazing and all, but IÕm talking about the kind of craftsmanship that can be
found in all directions. The massive
limestone bridges, the buildings cloaked with chronological history through the
use of statues and plaques, thirteenth century cathedrals and huge arcÕs
commemorating victories of battles won.
Standing at the entrance to The Palace of Versailles you can almost hear
the horsesÕ hooves galloping over the cobblestone towards a home fit for a
king. This city was crafted with
passion. Nothing was rushed or
built out of absolute necessity but rather crafted and pieced together like a
fine piece of art, which is yet another way that Paris sells itself to all of
us who are not lucky enough to live there permanently.
The
arts seem like they were invented in Paris. Whether produced by people who were from there, or by people
who flocked there, intellectual thoughts and ideas flow through Paris like the
Seine. Reading, writing, painting,
sculpting and so forth are trademarks of this mysterious city. The thing about art is that in order to
create something beautiful you need to surround yourself by those same
attributes. You need to be able to
free your mind and think and feel what you, and only you want to think
about. Does that answer the
question of why so many have gone to this magnificent city in order to
create? Maybe itÕs why we all
return to see what they have created?
Maybe t
his place just sucks you in like a good book and wonÕt allow you
to leave until that final page has been turned. Either way, art is presented in Paris in the same way that
baseball is presented in the U.S.A.
Glorious museums surround the city of lights offering art of all kinds
for the open mind. If museums are
not your forte then you can view the art that lies around each corner you
turn. Whether in the window of a
craft shop or in the eyes of a gargoyle perched high above the cities skyline,
art has forever been a part of Paris and will maintain to play a huge role in
the culture of the city.
ParisÕs
history goes back almost 2000 years, and every year up until now has molded
this city into what it is today.
It might be worth noting that ParisÕs small physical size did much to
enhance its reputation as the display model of nineteenth-century modernity, a
time when Paris took over as a hub for the enlightened. Like those of London, the suburbs of
Paris grew dramatically throughout this period, but they were never absorbed
into administrative or even cultural definitions of Paris. If the size of Paris
contributed much to its special status, so too did its historical moment. Paris was prominent in the nineteenth
century, a time when it might just have been possible to imagine concentrating
all artists and scientists, musicians and philosophers in one urban
center. Paris could
have been the
capital of everything; the city to which everyone aspired to travel. With the
explosive twentieth-century growth of both population and intellectual thought,
such centralization not only does not happen, it cannot even be imagined, and
if that failure to imagine a single centre is in many respects beneficial, it
has also had its costs (Higonnet, History of Paris, 68). This era in Parisian history is one of
the most fascinating to me and to historians of all kinds. To understand the magnitude of thought
and artistic abilities that were taking place in this city is amazing to
me. What is it about this magical
city that allows one to feel so free, so moved to create, so inspired to
learn? So many questions still
remain a riddle, while the answers are just as difficult to find.
The
question was how does Paris sell itself?
The answer is through 2000 years of history. Nothing in this city was built for selling purposes, but a
lot of what makes this city what it is today, are now attractions for residents
of other countries. This city can
now help its citizens with health care and other benefits that we are not
fortunate enough to receive because of the thousands of people that climb the
Eiffel tower and Arc deÕ Triomphe each year. Massive cathedrals that Parisians travel to on Sundays for
mass are now spots for the curious to click their cameras and hang their
pictures in glory of another country conquered. If only they really knew about having to conquer. Not like I really do or anything, but
traveling to Paris for my second time was a mind-blowing experience for me and
I am longing to return. IÕve never
been to a place where you can actually feel rather than see the history and
culture of the people, places and things that make up this city. Paris is a myth in itself and will
remain that way for eternity. To
even try to fathom what makes this city such a methodical place, one must
search inside themselves for what they believe to be the treasures of the
past. None of us got to live
during the early years of Paris; we are only left with what the city holds true
fo
r us today, and what is true for one person could be false to another. Either way, Paris is the absolute most
beautiful city I have ever been to and my return to the city of lights is not
an option, but rather a necessity.
&
nbsp;
Krystle Davison
Expositions in Paris
Everyone
looked to Paris; it was the cultural leader of the world. They made sex, love,
style their number one priority and proved to the world the Germans didn't lick
them completely. Paris almost set up a facade to hide some of the economic
problems but still managed to set off fireworks and impress an entire world.
The
1889 exposition was called Exposition Tricoloree. It was set up for "the
birth of the republic to be celebrated and vindicated in 1889, the centennial
year of the French Revolution." Despite the economic problems Paris
incurred from the world fair in 1867 many nations did not agree that this would
be the best exposition to attend because it celebrated a revolution an
d many of
the French themselves disputed the exposition. "16 of the 43 nations
represented were there unofficially... Great Britain, Italy, Russia - some of
the most important powers in Europe - officially ignored the exposition
Universelle of 1889." If the great powers of the world wouldnÕt be there,
would people want to come? How would it affect the outcome of the
exposition? The French government
didnÕt care about that, or the fact many people outside of Paris were rallying
against their 300-meter "eye sore". They continued with the plans and
hired Gustave Eiffel to erect a 300-meter iron structure that would cost over
four times more what they could pay him. Gustave set up a deal and" signed
with a special exhibition committee giving him the entire income from the tower
for 20 years" The Eiffel
Tower was known as "the 'spike' that would give the en
tire fair a single
signature structure, a striking symbol of French culture" On May 6 of 1889 the world fair opened
and many were in awe of the Eiffel Tower. E. Monod noted ŅFrom a political point
of view, the experiences of our colonials at the exposition are uniformly
excellent. Our natives carry away the impression that France is a rich and
powerful nation. They recognize our moral superiority, and are less and less
tempted to contest our authority." The outcome was not affected because
some of the greatest world powers did not show, but it made France look as if
it were on top of the world. It was a new beginning" The destruction
seemed to be over. Peace and prosperity had reigned for almost two
decades." ŅThe republic had succeeded. The Revolution was vindicated, and
its monument, the Eiffel Tower, would become the signature building of Paris
herself." France now was beginning to show the world how gr
eat it was, and
its international standing was perceived as the richest in the world.
Not long
after the planning of the 1889 exposition, another committee had started
planning the 1900 exposition. This exposition didn't have just one building to
represent France but many that "fall into two distinct categories."
One being tradition, and the second, Art Nouveau. France gave the architects
complete freedom to design in any style. It had 50,860,801 visitors in total.
ŅIt seemed to have launched the twentieth century with a new mood of hope, in
deed a positive quest for Joy, turning its back on... ' the painful and abject
nineteenth century.'" The 1900 exposition was a great transition into the
new century: " industrial
buildings were traditionally garbed. But their
design showed a new kind of respect for the achievements of technology.Ó France
continued to kept there culture live in the exposition. France hosting the
Exposition of 1900 was a great way to promote its international standing as one
of the top countries in the world. People observing French culture and at the
exposition what they were to expect for the new century left Paris open to
influence those who came with the new design of Art Nouveau, and all of the
other performing arts that began to spark in the 1900's.
After
the Great War, and a few expositions later Paris decided to host its next and
last exposition. The International Exposition of Art Deco. Art Nuoveau and Art
Deco were the
new trends in the early twentieth century. Art Nuoveau went out
after the war and Art Deco was brought in by the French based on their colonial
empire, Africa. "Many of the highly stylized and brilliantly colored
fabric designs of Art Deco owe their existence to French designers' admiration
for, and translation of, African fabrics and masks" The French also
incorporated their culture into this exposition with their performing arts. One
that many people remembered when they left was Josephine Baker, a famous,
African- American singer. The movies shown promoted risky sex, and affairs,
while the entertainment helped promote the erotic feelings to do so.
Paris
showed in all three expositions, two being back to back, to be the cult
ural
leadership of the entire world. They proved to influence different art
movements by hosting expositions and elaborating the city of Paris with such
designs. They started the trend of film making, and love making in public. They
began a new century as a leading power with a facade. Yes maybe they didnÕt
have the money, or the support of other great powers at first, but they proved
to be on top of the world with the Eiffel Tower, a trend setter with Art Deco,
and a certified host to set the new century with a new, slightly tweaked
tradition.