ParisEncore: ~Trocadero~

The Trocadero is the area in the 16th arr. opposite the Eiffel Tower. Sitting on top of the hill is the Place du Trocadero; a large square with 5 large boulevards radiating out from it. An equestrian statue of General Foch (WWI commander of the Western front) stands in the center and many fine cafes and restaurants surround the square. The Cemetery of Passy is adjacent to the square on the south side.

This is a bustling square. Several bus lines pass through it, the #6 and #9 Metro lines stop here, there's a busy taxi stand and because of the spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower, the tour buses are constantly passing by or stopped and parked. With the 5 boulevards feeding into the sqaure, it resembles (a mini version) the large circle around the Arc de Triomphe.

The name Trocadero comes from the historic Battle of Trocadero in 1823 in Cadiz, Spain; in which French forces aided Spanish Bourbon King Ferdinand in retaining his throne. The first Palais was built in 1878 for the Universal Esposition; at this time is was called the Palais du Trocadero. The architecture was an unusual combination of Moorish and Byzantine styles. It was so unpopular with the Parisians, that a new Palais was constructed in 1937 for the World's Fair in a style more acceptable at the time. The name was changed to Palais de Chaillot for the village originally located on the site.

The neoclassical/ art deco building with its 2 curved wings separated by the 2-tiered esplanade is on the east side of the square. The Palais houses several museums, including the Musee de la Marine (Navy Museum) and the Cite du Patrimonie et de l'Architecture (the architecture museum) which I will include in another post.

An array of fountains extend from the terraces down to the river Seine. The Fountains of Warsaw, when working are spectacular; sequential towers of spray culminating with the 20 large water canons sending huge arcs of water in the center. On each side of the fountains are gardens with beautiful walkways, small streams, ponds and bridges creating a peaceful, quiet bucolic atmosphere. The gardens are planted with a variety of flowering trees (pawlonia being the most prevalent) which make the area beautiful in Spring and the perfect frame for the view of the Eiffel Tower.

The Palais, terraces and gardens are decorated with statuary; 8 gilded statues on the terraces, "Hercules" and "Apollo" on the 2 curved wings, the "Bull and the "Horse" at the head of the fountains and "Youth" and "Joie de Vivre" at the base of the fountains. There are others around in the gardens and on the buildings and terraces.

"Hercules"

"La Jeunesse"

"Youth"

View of the Palais de Chaillot and gardens from the Eiffel Tower.

(photo from Wikipedia)

The terraces of the Palais are massive and accommodate a lot of people. It is a favorite place for protests, demonstrations and celebrations (more about that in a later post). There are also dozens of guys walking around hawking small Eiffel Towers hanging on large rings. Beware! Most of these guys do not have a license for selling, as we witnessed. When the police are present, these guys take off en masse.