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 Jeff Steiner's Americans in France.Resource for people that would like to live or travel in France. |
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ParisChamps de Mars
Today the Champs de Mars is best known as the home of the Eiffel Tower. But before building the Eiffel Tower started in 1887, the Champs de Mars had had fruitful and at times infamous life. The Champs de Mars was the main site of the Exposition Universelle of 1867 and 1878. Before that the Champs de Mars was used for parades and other public events. The first fête de la Fédération, now known in English as Bastille Day, was held on July 14, 1790 on the Champs de Mars.
The Champs de Mars has also been home to some unpleasant events, like the Fusillade du Champ-de-Mars (Champ de Mars Massacre) on July 17, 1791 and the guillotining of Paris mayor Jean Sylvain Bailly on November 12, 1793.
The Champs de Mars as it is today, dates to the construction of the École Militaire in 1765, opposite the Eiffel Tower, and the need to have fields - champs for military drills. The Champs de Mars is named after the Roman God of war - Mars.
During the French Revolution, the Champs de Mars was known as the Champ-de-la-Fédération then Champ-de-la-Réunion.
The Champs de Mars was home to the completed head of the Statue of Liberty during the Exposition Universelle of 1878.
Champs de Mars during the Féte de la Concorde on May 21, 1848.
Champs de Mars during the Exposition Universelle of 1867.
Main building for the Exposition Universelle of 1867 was on the Champs de Mars.
During the Exposition Universelle of 1878, the Champs de Mars was home to the Palais du Champs de Mars.
Palais du Champs de Mars from the Trocadéro. Now site of the Eiffel Tower.
This is an interesting photo. It looks to have been taken after the Palais du Champs de Mars was demolished and before the Eiffel Tower was built. In the distance across the Champs de Mars is the École Militaire.
Champs de Mars during the Exposition Universelle of 1878.
Map of Paris with the Champs de Mars.
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