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France, Paris VI. – Architecture Beloved and Condemned

Published: 2.7.2014
Today, the sixth part of our series about Paris we continue from Notre Dame cathedral to the town hall. From there our steps continue to one of the most controversial buildings in the city. Parisans either love it or hate it.

After a visit to Notre Dame cathedral we were full of great experiences. We went along Rue d 'Arcole street and the bridge of the same name. The bridge connects the right bank of the Cité island with the “continental” part of the city. The road continues to less known landmark, the town hall. The Rue d 'Arcole bridge has an interesting history. It was named the battle of the Italian city of Arcole, where Napoleon Bonaparte himself and his army defeated the then Austria. Initially, the bridge was suspended and served just walking, later it was replaced metal structure, which was strengthened by time, because there was a gradual fall through the bridge construction. At the moment one iron arch bridge next to a pedestrian walkway goes through the center of the road with relentless urban life.

Budova radnice (v pozadí Notre Dame)  Náměstí před radnicí s historickým kolotočem

Town-hall, a place for busy meetings
Behind this “memorial” is a huge square. Its landmark is Parisian town-hall. In French its called Hôtel de ville de Paris. Before we get to the building itself and its history, you describe the atmosphere of the square.

Pařížská radnice (Hôtel de ville de Paris)

In the square, people travel from one end to the other, sometimes stopping to look at a historic carousel from which you can hear the laughter of children. The smile on their faces created by artists who ordinariness of ordinary working day through large bubbles giving an interesting to playful experience. Watch how it comes gentleman in a suit and suddenly appears before him a huge bubble, is really funny. Again we only confirmed the fact that Paris is a city of unlimited ideas and attractions. But enough of our feelings. We should go to the town-hall itself. It is since 1357 the seat of government in Paris. In addition, the building is also an exhibition space, which regularly organizes various exhibitions. The actual area around the building was often witnessed the rebellion, revolution or modern demonstrations. A sad part in the history played mainly the uprising of 1871 known as the "Paris crown". While it is a struggle between the bourgeoisie and the Socialists, even when the town-hall burned down. Fortunately, its functionality and beauty have been restored and today it again so we can admire. The facade of the building is neo-Renaissance and largely inspired by the original architecture. It is decorated with statues of dozens of artists, politicians, scientists, and industrialists.

An upside down construction
From the town-hall we gradually moved onto the busy street Rue du Renard, where we found ourselves at a weird building. When we stepped closer, we realized that we are in the National Art and Cultural Centre George Pompidou , which Parisians call for short Centre Pompidou. This grandiose building that absolutely does not fit the atmosphere of the city, this is the museum of modern art in Paris. Building after its completion, then changed attitude to the existing galleries, which were used for a narrow group of people, a sort of open space for everyone. It was a place of social life and connect people and art.

Centre Pompidou

This remarkable building emerged in the years 1971 to 1977. Since it was finished until today there have been many inconsistent reactions about it. Its architects were Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. The whole building is built literally inside out. This means that all the wiring, air conditioning, elevators and other building equipment are located directly on the facade and not inside the building, which are by default hidden from the eyes of visitors. Also, the individual components are color-coded, what you care again French painter Jean Dewas. The color blue on the building represents water, escalators and elevators are represented by red, yellow wiring, and green air. Such a unique solution reminds summer look refinery and not the museum building. On the other hand inside her was unique space variable for widespread use.

Centre Pompidou  Centre Pompidou

Parisians got used to the building. However, similar to the Eiffel Tower they were uneasy about its existence at first. Today it is a symbol of the city. Thanks to this forward-thinking French Museum is one of the most visited buildings in the city. Even the great interest in this dominant caused and is still causing her harm. At the heart of the building you can find the Museum of Modern Art, reference library, a center of industrial design and a center for music and acoustic research. Of course you will also find the administrative part, bookshops, cinemas, children's play areas or garages. But the actual location and style of the building is the landmark of modern and some loads, as many tourists visit it just because breathtaking views of Paris from the glassed escalators and not because of her inner wealth. The building still receives many awards and such. Even the architect Rogers won the epithet of a man who turned the architectural world upside down.
Centre Pompidou
Our immense admiration for this building certainly won, even if it sometimes we had mixed feelings. We still had enough time to go around the whole building and visited the adjacent square . But we'll talk about those in a week.

Text and photo: Oskár Mažgút



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