The best cycling routes around Paris

Here is a large, historic bronze sculpture on a stone base, very beautiful to look at

The Institut d'art et d'archéologie, also known as Centre Michelet, is a building in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, located at 8, avenue de l'Observatoire and 3, rue Michelet, currently housing the art history departments of the Panthéon-Sorbonne and Sorbonne Université universities (assigned to the building[1]). It was designed by the architect Paul Bigot between 1925 and 1928. It has been listed as a historical monument since September 9, 1996.

The Galerie Vivienne is one of the city's best-preserved and most vibrant passageways, built in 1823. Its old shops house charming boutiques and fabric shops. Jean-Paul Gaultier, the mischievous son of Parisian haute couture, is particularly well-known. It's a shop you simply must visit, even if only to slip a pair of €400.00 swim trunks through your fingers. Madonna's famous cone-shaped bra comes from his studio. There are also a few lovely restaurants, though they are quite pricey.

The Folies Bergère Theatre is one of the most famous venues in the world. It was here that the very first Music Hall revue was born in the 19th century. Acclaimed by some of the biggest names in French music, including Josephine Baker, Jean Gabin, Charles Trenet, Dalida, Francis Cabrel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Thierry Ardisson, Ben Harper, Zazie, Catherine Ringer, Vanessa Paradis, and many others, the Folies Bergère has stood the test of time and constantly reinvented itself to captivate audiences of all ages. A place steeped in history and secrets, the Folies Bergère Theatre invites its spectators to an extraordinary experience from the moment they arrive: its listed façade, its grand lobby, and its Art Deco elements make this venue a part of the history of live entertainment for over 150 years. 150 years of Folies, 150 years of emotion—the Folies Bergère will remain an essential destination for a long time to come. Dedicated to entertainment, this theater would become the epitome of its kind. Born on the eve of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, this venue, seemingly destined to become the symbol of Parisian life and French pleasure, has presented, from the Belle Époque to the present day, all the stars of a demanding yet popular art form, all the music, all the fashions of a century rich in upheavals and transformations of every kind... Ask around, and you'll always find someone to tell you about an evening they spent at the Folies Bergère. (https://www.foliesbergere.com/fr/histoire)

The three arcades in this row are truly worth seeing, but very crowded on weekends. It's quite quiet in the mornings, although many shops are still closed then; you can still soak up the atmosphere nonetheless.

History and Context The Galerie Vivienne is a covered passage located in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. Its construction began in 1823, at the initiative of Maître Marchoux, president of the Chamber of Notaries. The architect in charge of the project was François-Jean Delannoy. Initially called the "Galerie Marchoux," it was inaugurated in 1826 under that name, but it quickly became known as the "Galerie Vivienne," in reference to the Rue Vivienne where it is located. Architecture and Decoration The gallery is approximately 176 meters long and 3 meters wide. The architectural style is Pompeian Neoclassical, with columns, frescoes, and ornamentation inspired by Antiquity. It is covered by a glass roof that allows natural light to enter and features an imposing central dome. The floor is decorated with colorful mosaics, signed by Giandomenico Facchina. Symbolic decorations are very prominent: allegorical figures (nymphs, goddesses) are featured, as well as symbols of commerce such as caducei, cornucopias, anchors, and so on. Commercial Life and Evolution From its opening, the gallery housed numerous shops: tailors, shoemakers, wine merchants, booksellers, confectioners, and more. Its strategic location (near the Palais-Royal and the Grands Boulevards) made it a very busy thoroughfare. However, during the Second Empire, the gallery lost its prestige: luxury boutiques moved to more fashionable districts (Champs-Élysées, Madeleine), and Haussmann's urban renewal projects negatively impacted its popularity. In the 1960s, the gallery was in decline: the dome collapsed in 1961. Thanks to a campaign to preserve heritage, it was restored. It was listed as a historical monument in 1974. Since the 1960s, it has experienced a renaissance: fashion, home decor, and haute couture boutiques have opened there. For example, Jean-Paul Gaultier opened a boutique in 1986. Today The arcade houses approximately 56 shops (luxury boutiques, tea rooms, grocery stores, bookstores, restaurants, etc.). It is very popular for strolling, shopping, or simply enjoying its elegant architecture. It is open to the public free of charge every day from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., according to its official website. Heritage Value It is an architectural masterpiece among Parisian covered passages, representing the golden age of this type of arcade. It is part of Paris's protected heritage, listed as a historical monument. It also plays a cultural role: events, exhibitions, and fashion shows are held there, reviving its original spirit.

Today we went on a beautiful hike near 🌞 in the Parisian forest. With an area of approximately 846 hectares in the west of the city, the Bois de Boulogne can be considered one of the two 'lungs' of Paris and the second largest green space in terms of area, after the Bois de Vincennes in the east. In October, many cyclamens bloom here along the hiking trail. A hike all the way around the lake with a visit to the island is a wonderful one. A free ferry ride is offered to get to the island. Highly recommended. We took a short break at LE CHALET DES ILES. Afterwards, we hiked a short distance on the island. Surprisingly, the heron was very friendly. I had the impression that it was expecting to be photographed 😄. It immediately struck a pose; I've never been so close to a heron before. There are always great photo opportunities along the hike, with small, babbling brooks in a very idyllic setting.

Bois de Boulogne Paris, France The two trees (240 cm) are a gift from Swedish industry to the Parisians and symbolize love and unity. This bronze statue was inaugurated in 1994. With this donation, the investor – a Swedish industrial holding company – and the Wallenberg family acknowledge the historical significance of relations between France and Sweden. At the tip of the small island in Lake Superior, this symbol of love has become a favorite place for Parisians to rest, row, and contemplate for bird lovers. There are great places to sit and relax. The sculpture is beautiful to behold and highly recommended 👍 to visit.