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The Paris Guide |
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Architecture in the 17th century |
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In
1671 the Academie Royale d'Architecture was created and the members met once
a week to study and discuss architectural problems. There began to be a
movement towards more classical forms and more overall homogeneity within the
city. In the monument of the Porte Saint-Denis the ancient
design is apparent and has many Roman attributes. In the 17th century
there were two new types of thouroughfares created as well, the avenue and
the boulevards. These were built on the outskirts of the city where
there was more room. Thanks to Louis XIV and his destruction of
numerous old fortifications to construct boulevards. On the west side
of the right bank Les Grands Boulevards were built and quickly became
a center of fashion as the aristocracy built large mansions. The
boulevards were straight and tree-lined but there was variety in the
buildings. Meanwhile on the left bank, the construction of Invalides
also used large tree-lined avenues to make a grand entrance leading up to the
front connecting it to the Seine. On the south side there are three
radiating avenues that all draw one's view to the magnificent dome. The various
"looks" of Le Louvre are due to the fact that it was not
entirely created at the same time. In fact, different architects
designed different parts of the royal palace. At this time in its
history there was a new desire for a more exciting look and to make it less
bland than the oldest part of the building on the east side. The Hotel
de Sully is a beautiful mansion, although there is nothing particularly
distinct about it, it is a classic example of the emerging design of the late
17th century. With this new push in classical design, two existing
gothic churches had new, large fronts added on to them. These churches,
Saint Etienne du Mont and Saint Gervais, had bulky yet
impressive facades added to them. Some other churches built completely
in the new style with distinctive domes were the church of the Sorbonne
and the church at Val de Grace. Nonsecular public
building were generally rare in Paris until the reign of Louis XIV. One
of these buildings was the Institut de France (the College des
Quatre-Nations when built). It was built on the left bank opposite Le
Louvre, it has a unique frontage with a center domed building with very Roman
styling and the flanks are curved in more of the French tradition. It
had been awhile since any piazzas were built in Paris, but now under Louis
XIV they were starting to make a comeback. In 1685 the Place des
Victoires was completed and all the buildings around the place have an
entresol on the ground to accomidate small commercial stores and shops, while
above there are two full stories for living and a double-pitch mansart roof
with dormers for storage space or for the live-in help. The Place
Vendome is an even more grand example as it was built in a more wealthy
area, Faubourg-Honore, just north of Le Louvre and now is home to the Ritz
Hotel and some of the most expensive jewelry shops to be found. |
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