~Theme: Marquises et Auvents~

Marquees and Canopies

These iron and glass canopies first appeared during the late 19th century Art Nouveau period. Many of these might be original but it is a popular design feature that can be found all over the city. We found many over the doors of hotels and entrances to apartment buildings and restaurants.  Finding them was like a treasure hunt.

Both of these photos are of the Musee d'Orsay which used to be a train station.

This is the small hotel where we stayed in Tours. Hotel du Manoir

The prestigious Tour d'Argent restaurant.

I never really noticed these fancy wrought iron and glass canopies until I became interested in Art Nouveau architecture. Then, they showed up everywhere.

~Art Nouveau in the 7th Arr.~

Until our last trip in 2011, I didn't have much knowledge of Art Nouveau.  Then, I saw a beautiful Alfonse Mucha calendar with 12 of his famous posters.  This was the beginning of my understanding of the style~Art Nouveau.  Art Nouveau is a philosophy and style of architecture, art and decorative arts which was popluar from 1890-1910. It is inspired by natural forms, structures and curved lines  One of its most distinctive characteristics are the 'whiplash' curves.  These whiplash motifs, formed by dynamic flowing lines are found throughout the architecture, painting, sculpture and other decorative forms of Art Nouveau design.

Mucha's poster Gismonda, which was an advertisement for the play featuring Sarah Bernhardt in 1895, popularized the new artistic style.  In Paris, the gallery Maison de l'Art Nouveau managed by Seigreid Bing showcased modern art objects.  The fame of his gallery increased at the 1900 Exposition Universelle which presented an overview of this modern style.  Soon this new modern art form became known as Art Nouveau.

More of Mucha's posters can be seen here.

29 Avenue Rapp

We came upon this building, completely by accident, walking near the Eiffel Tower. It caught our eye from a block away.  The architect of this building and several others in the area was Jules Lavirotte.

This masterpiece won Lavirotte first place in the prestigious Parisian Facade competiton of 1901.  The use of glazed tiles embedded in the stone and bricks was the first of its kind in Europe.

The Art Nouveau style incorporates forms from nature; plants, flowers, insects etc.  The door pull on this main entrance is in the form of a lizard.

Lavirotte signed his buildings.

Here's another link that describes some of Lavirotte's designs.

Rue Sedillot

This is another Lavirotte building.  It is quite fanciful with a Medieval inspired tower over the main entrance.(seen in the photograph below)

 This building is now the Liceo Italiano Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian high school.

The building has asymmetrical features. The windows are unevenly spaced and of different sizes.

Art Nouveau architecture made use of many of the technological innovations of the 19th century, especially the use of exposed iron and large pieces of glass (note the Guimard Metro entrances below).  These window grates are great examples of the 'whiplash' curves used in the design.

This photo shows the windows of the building next to the Liceo Italiano.  There were several buildings on this street with Art Nouveau features.

Square Rapp

Just a few steps from the 29 Avenue Rapp building is Square Rapp. Here you will see another Lavirotte building at No. 3 .

The first thing you notice when turning into the Square is the back wall. It is covered with a 5 or 6 story tall trellis with a 3D architectural design.  It's magnificient.  The iron gate was designed by Lavirotte as well.

The main entrance and balconies feature stone carvings and cast iron details.  Each of the balconies has a different Lavirotte design.  You'll notice the turret towards the back.

The facade, the balconies, the iron work and the beautiful carved doors are breathtaking.

Looking back out of the Square through the iron gate that encloses the square, a full view of the Eiffel Tower.

By the start of World War I the elaborate stylised nature of Art Nouveau fell out of favor because it became too expensive to produce.  It was eventually replaced by the 20th century 'modern' styles which were more streamlined, linear, and cheaper. One of these plainer industrial styles became known as Art Deco.

Excellent examples of Art Nouveau architecture can be found in many cities in Europe including Brussels, Belgium; Riga,Latvia, Aviero, Portugal and Barcelona, Spain. (There are many more.)

Other Art Nouveau artists include Gustav Klimt; jewellry designer and glassmaker, Rene Lalique; glass artist Louis Comfort Tiffany and architect Antoni Gaudi.

Other Art Nouveau creations

Hector Guimard was an architect and contemporary of Lavirotte and more well known.  He designed the Paris Metro entrances.  There are two of the original structures left in the city.  This one at Place Abesses in Montmartre.

and this one at Porte Dauphine near the Bois de Boulogne.  Notice that both incorporate the large glass panels in the design.

(photo is from the internet)

Today Art Nouveau is considered a 'total' style including architecture, interior design, jewellry, furniture, textiles and visual arts.

So now you know~if it's decorative and curvy, it's probably Art Nouveau.

~Eiffel Tower Revisited~

It's only logical that if we are viewing the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero, that we should walk down to the river, cross over Pont Iena and see it up close.   I never get tired of seeing and photographing the Eiffel Tower (I refer to it as ET).  I do not, however, like to be up close and personal; it's just too crowded.

You can see how much rain they've had in France judging by the high water level. In May it was very close to flooding the quai and the river was moving quite fast.

It is possible to see the Eiffel Tower peaking through at various locations around Paris...

 You just never know when you are going to catch a glimpse.

Since I don't usually spend much time under the tower, I had never noticed this bust before.  Gustave Eiffel is the engineer who designed the tower for the 1889 Universal Exposition.  The Eiffel Tower is the most visited paid monument in the world.

If you don't have a reservation, you must stand in line to take your turn to ascend by lift. (Lines are much longer in summer.) I have been up to the upper levels but it was many years ago before I developed a fear of heights.  Back then, there was no waiting for hours in line and there definitely was no such thing as 'reservations'.  Of course if you are in great shape, you can take the stairs to the first level and second levels.

On the upper levels are restaurants, souvenir shops and telescopes; you can even mail a postcard with a special Eiffel Tower postmark.

This is a view from the top looking down at the Trocadero.  You are able to see 360 degrees, 30 miles or so on a clear day.

Studying the structure from this point of view is incredible. It looks so light and airy then you realize all the parts that went into building it and it is even more awesome.

I prefer to look at it from the bottom up.  You don't have to go far to be away from the crowds and get a totally different view.

This photo was taken next to a little pond with ducks.  You couldn't see the hoards of people at all.

The absolutely BEST time to view the tower is after dark.

From the Trocadero terrace, you can see the Eiffel Tower and the fountains lit up.

It has such a warm glow; there is a search light on top.  Then, every hour after dark, which in Spring is not until 10 pm in France, you can see the incredible "light show".  20,000 sparkling lights dazzling for about 10 minutes.

 It's hard to believe that 100 years ago the Parisians wanted to dismantle it...communications and the wars saved it from demolition and kept it in use.  It is still used to broadcast radio and TV signals today.