The majestic Place de la Concorde played an essential part in French history. On many occasions, the square has been chosen for happy or sad national gatherings. One of the many prestigious stages of the Historical Axis, the square features a vast and elegant neo-classical ensemble from the 18th century. It connects the Tuileries Garden to the Champs-Elysées and the Madeleine to Palais Bourbon.
The magnificence of place de la Concorde
The Place de la Concorde plays a significant symbolic part along the Historical Axis. This magnificent vista runs through some of Paris’ most celebrated monuments and squares:
The square takes the form of an octagon measuring 359 by 212 metres. The River Seine borders it to the South, and classical-style buildings to the North. The Egyptian obelisk stands at the centre of the square, flanked by two massive fountains.
The turbulent history of the square
In 1753 it was decided that the site should be designed as a square. This decision was taken during the reign of King Louis XV. At that time, many French cities had started or completed prestigious squares. They were commonly called “Place Royale” to the glory of the King: Montpellier, Nantes, Metz, Dijon or Bordeaux.
For instance, in the then-independent Duchy of Lorraine, the King’s father-in-law, Stanislas Leszczyński, commissioned the beautiful Place Stanislas in Nancy, which was well underway by 1753.
Gabriel, the King’s architect, was tasked with creating a magnificent square along the Historical Axis. It would stage an equestrian statue of Louis XV in the centre. The two monumental pavilions bordering the square’s northern side and divided by the Rue Royale were built in the Louis XV style: the Hôtel Crillon and the Hôtel de la Marine.
Misfortune struck the square on the occasion of the marriage of Dauphin Louis and Austrian archduchess Marie-Antoinette. On the 30th May 1770, people assembled for a celebration with much pomp and ceremony. A beautiful firework display was planned. However, following the accidental fall of a rocket, the crowd was panic-stricken, and 133 people were killed, trampled and choked.
During the Reign of Terror
But the worst was yet to come 20 years later with the uprising of the Revolution. Originally called ‘Place Louis XV’, the square was renamed in 1792 as ‘Place de la Révolution’. It became the stage for horrendous public executions by the guillotine.
During the Reign of Terror, the King, Queen Marie-Antoinette, and more than 1,100 victims were beheaded in less than two and a half years.
Execution of Louis XVI on Place de la Concorde
On 21st January 1793, Louis XVI was guillotined at the exact position of the statue of Brest, at the North-West angle.
From the 13th of May 1793, the “National Razor” was moved across the square near the railings of the Tuileries Gardens. Many more victims were beheaded: Marie-Antoinette (16th October), Madame du Barry, Danton, Madame Roland and Robespierre.
Place de la Concorde
Following those dreadful events of the Reign of Terror, the Directorate changed the square’s name in 1795 to one of reconciliation and hope: Place de la Concorde.
The Monuments of French cities
In the 1830s, architect Jacques Ignace Hittorff transformed the square by adding statues and fountains that can be seen today.
At each corner of the octagon formed by the Place, he erected eight stone monuments representing the French cities of:
The Obelisk, ideally placed in the middle of the Place de la Concorde, is part of the strange geometrical layouts and alignments along the Historical Axis, evoking the symbols of Ancient Egypt.
Napoleon’s campaign to Egypt
To understand the reasoning that led the French to develop such admiration for Egyptology, let’s go back to Napoleon Bonaparte’s campaign to Egypt in 1798. The French Emperor-to-be attempted to conquer Egypt to counteract the English influence in the Middle East and India. The General was not coming to Egypt with soldiers only. As a newly elected French Academy of Sciences member, he took 167 savants to Egypt in 1798. There he founded the first modern scientific institute in Egypt: the Institut d’Egypte in Cairo.
King Charles X (1757-1836) showed an interest in Ancient Egypt and commissioned Jean-François Champollion (who deciphered the ancient hieroglyphs) to arrange for an obelisk to be returned to Paris.
In 1831, Mohammed-Ali, Viceroy of Egypt, offered France one of the two obelisks which guarded the entrance of the temple of Luxor in Upper Egypt. Both date back to Pharaoh Ramses II, the most powerful king of Ancient Egypt.
A unique ship, the Luxor, was designed to carry the obelisk to France down the Nile and across the Mediterranean Sea to the port city of Toulon and then by river to Paris.
In Charles X’s plans, the obelisk had to find its place on Place de la Concorde. That is the square built in honour of his grandfather and where his brother and sister-in-law were beheaded.
Raising the Obelisk on place de la Concorde
On the 25th of October 1836, 200,000 people gathered at the square to witness the lifting operation to raise the obelisk onto its pedestal.
Erection of the Luxor Obelisk on Place de la Concorde in 1836. Painting by François Dubois
To the relief of supervisor Lebas and the assembled crowd, the event was a success. From that day, the “Obélisque de Louxor” sits enthroned in the centre of the square.
Some 3,500 years old, the obelisk is the oldest monument standing in Paris. It is 23 metres tall and weighs 220 tons. However, the French capital was not the only European city to display an obelisk.
Other Egyptian obelisks in Europe
The Romans transferred the one standing in Saint Peter’s Square in Rome to decorate the circus.
Another specimen erected after that of Paris is in London (the obelisk of Tuthmosis III on the Victoria Embankment, better known as Cleopatra’s Needle).
Without forgetting New York (a twin obelisk to the one in London, erected in Central Park).
The pyramidion
When the obelisk was carried to France in the 19th Century, its original cap had long disappeared. In fact, it was believed to have been stolen in the 6th century BC.
In May 1998, the French authorities decided to refurbish the obelisk by putting a copy of the missing gold-leafed pyramid cap on top, thanks to the initiative of Egyptologist Christiane Desroches Noblecourt. This pyramid cap is called a pyramidion. It is supposed to reflect the rays of the sun.
In 1988, this tremendous Egyptian landmark was joined by another pharaoh-related structure along the Historical Axis: the modern Glass Pyramid in the Louvre, evoking the Great Pyramid of Giza.
A perpendicular perspective on the Historical Axis
The Place de la Concorde set the stage for another North-South perspective, much shorter, perpendicular to the Historical Axis.
It features, on the South side, beyond the bridge “Pont de la Concorde” across the Seine:
the Madeleine Church, on the North side, at the end of Rue Royale.
In fact, both monuments match each other across the Place de la Concorde with their grand Classical-style porticos, evoking the design of Roman temples.
The Palais Bourbon housed the National Assembly, and its pedimented, collonaded front was inspired by the Madeleine Church at the far end of the short perspective crossing the Place de la Concorde.
The Pont de la Concorde, crossing the Seine and linking the Place de la Concorde to the Palais Bourbon, was completed in 1791, with many of its stones taken from the dismantled Bastille fortress. When complete, it was said that the people of Paris could ride roughshod over the ancient fortress.
The view from the bridge stretches to the Eiffel Tower, the Alexandre III Bridge on one side, and the other to the Tuileries Garden and the Louvre.
Until the mid-2010s, a Ferris wheel stood in the centre of the square during the Christmas period. It allowed taking beautiful pictures from the beautiful perspective of the Champs-Elysées.
Quick Description: Revolution theme, spectacular plaza, avenue and church, beautiful and somber memorial.
Where: Right Bank, from Place de la Concorde directly north to Blvd Haussmann.
Start at Place de la Concorde, outside Metro station Concorde (##1, 8, #12 lines). End outside the park around Chapelle Expiatoire, near Metro stations Saint Lazare (#3, #12, #13, #14 lines) and Havre – Caumartin (#3, #9 lines) .
Duration: 30 min walk, @1.5-2.5 hrs with venue visits and browsing the flower market and shops. Early Departure Option at the midpoint, Place de la Madeleine, before the route heads to Chapelle Expiatorie.
Best Days: Tues – Fri.
Best Time to Start: 10:30am – 11:30am
Ready to stroll? Open this page vertically on your mobile phone and click VIEW DIRECTIONS.
Connects: by quick Metro rides from station Saint Lazare via the #12 line to Stroll 13 (Musee D’Orsay to Musee Rodin), or Stroll 15 (Concorde-Tuileries-Vendome), or Stroll 17 (Concorde to Place de l’Alma), or Stroll 24 (Montmartre), or Stroll 25 (Pigalle aka SOPI); and from either station Saint Lazare or station Havre – Caumartin via the #3 line to Stroll 21 (Opera-Haussmann-Saint Lazare), or the standalone site, Cimetiere Pere Lachaise; and from station Saint Lazare via the #13 line to the standalone site, Musee Jacquemart-Andre.
Past and Present: This stroll starts at Place de la Concorde, where King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were executed on the guillotine during the Revolution, and follows the route their bodies were taken, up Rue Royale, past the Church of the Madeleine to the church’s unused cemetery land, where they were unceremoniously buried in what became a mass grave. Place de la Concorde is now a spectacular traffic rotary with statues and fountains plus an 18th century royal mansion, Hotel de la Marine, which is open to visitors. The Church of the Madeleine, finished in the early 1800s, replicates the Parthenon and offers an impressive interior. And Chapelle Expiatorie and a surrounding park now sits on the royal gravesite, as a memorial to the king and queen and other victims of the Revolution. The stroll route also brings you to three picturesque shopping arcades, a flower market, and a variety of restaurants, including the famous Maxim’s and a “secret” lunch venue in the cellar of the church.
Attractions (in order):
Place de la Concorde: Forming the western border of the Jardin des Tuileries, and the eastern end of the Champs Elysses. Plaza dating from the 18th century, site of the guillotine during the Revolution, now a spectacular traffic rotary with statues and fountains and the Luxor obelisk, plus former royal buildings along the north side.
Hotel de la Marine: #2 Place de la Concorde, start of route. Magnificent 18th century royal mansion forming the northeastern boundary of Place de la Concorde. Now open to the public, to tout the opulent rooms and view the private Al Thani antiquities collection housed there. Building accessible daily 10:30am-7pm (9:30pm Fridays), but entry requires reserving a tour time. There are five audio guided tours to choose from: four 90 min long, €17; one 45 min long €13. (Note: To visit here on this stroll, schedule your tour time near to your start time.)
Hotel de Crillon: #4-10 Place de la Concorde, start of route. Magnificent 17th century royal mansion forming the northwestern border of Place de la Concorde. It houses an historic luxury traveler’s inn, also called Hotel de Crillon, at #10, as well as the Automobile Club of France and the Hotel de Coislin mansion site. The public areas of the traveler’s inn are accessible.
Rue Royale: running from Place de la Concorde north to Place de la Madeleine. Impressive 18th century street, created as a royal parade route and vista between Place de la Concorde and the Church of the Madeleine. Many of its landmarked buildings now house the flagship stores of luxury brand retailers.
Le Village Royal: #25 Rue Royale, near Place de la Madeleine, with exit at the other end onto Rue Boissy d’Anglas. Shops of upscale brands are set in an 18th century courtyard. Mon-Sat courtyard opens 8am, shops open 10am-7pm.
Galerie de la Madeleine: Route uses entry at #30 Rue Boissy d’Anglas, and exits at the other end onto Place de la Madeleine. This is an operating 19th century shopping arcade with period charm and unique boutiques. Accessible Mon-Sat 8am-11pm, shops generally open at 10am.
Church of the Madeleine: Place de la Madeleine. Large, ornate church built from the late 1700s to the early 1800s, with an exterior that is modeled on the Parthenon in Greece and an interior featuring three domes, plus various artworks. Daily 9:30am-7pm, free.
Madeleine Flower Market: Place de la Madeleine. Open-air stalls are located along the eastern side of the church. Mon-Sat, 8am-7:30pm.
Passage Puteaux: Running between Rue de l’Arcade and Rue Pasquier. Operating 19th century shopping arcade with period detail, shops and a restaurant (see “Dining Suggestions”). Accessible Mon-Fri 7am-7pm.
#34 Rue Pasquier: Across the street from Square Louis XVI and Chapelle Expiatoire. Art Deco style building adorned with remarkable bas relief sculptures of tropical and jungle animals and fish.
Square Louis XVI and Chapelle Expiatoire: Entry on Rue Pasquier. The small park surrounds a memorial dedicated to King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, as well as other victims of the Revolution. It includes a chapel with statues, a crypt and a representative cemetery. Square Louis XVI is open Mon-Fri 8am-6:30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6:30pm, free. Chapelle Expiatorie is open Oct-Mar Mon-Sat 10:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-5pm, April-Sept Tues-Sat 10am-12:30pm and 1:30-6:30pm, €6, free for persons under 18, EU residents under 26, handicapped persons and their aides.
Dining Suggestions (in order):
Maxim’s: #3 Rue Royale, on the left-hand side of the first block as you walk north from Place de la Concorde. Dating from 1893 this became a legendary watering hole of the rich and famous during the 20th century, and was used as a movie set on several occasions. It features Art Nouveau architecture, sumptuous Belle Epoque décor and a limited menu of expensive, classic French dishes, plus sales of branded caviar and fancy chocolates. Wed-Sat Noon-2pm, 7:30-10:30pm. Average cost @€120. Reservations suggested.
Le Boissy d’Anglas: #41 Rue Boissy d’Anglas, opposite entry to Galerie de la Madeleine. French cuisine, short bistro menu. Upscale traditional room, outdoor seating. Mon-Fri 9am-Midnight. Prix fixe meal @€44 3 courses, a la carte mains @€16-22, breakfast pastry options.
Lucas Carton: #9 Place de la Madeleine, next to the Galerie de la Madeleine. Michelin starred restaurant dating from 1860. Inventive French haute cuisine, offered a la carte and in tasting menus. Elegant dining room. Average cost @€120. An alternate dining room, Le Petit Carton, located upstairs, offers somewhat lower prices. Mon-Sat Noon-1:30pm, 7:30-9:30pm. Reservations suggested.
Le Foyer de la Madeleine: Inside the Church of the Madeleine, with an entrance behind the flower stalls. Charitable enterprise offering a short menu of French home style dishes at economical prices. The space consists of vaulted cellar rooms located beneath the church, furnished in traditional restaurant style. Open for lunch only, Mon-Fri 11:45am-2pm. Average cost: @€10 3 courses. No reservations. (Note: Once a “secret” place it is now quite popular, so arrive early if possible.)
La Pate a Nouilles Madeleine: #8 Rue de Castellane. Chinese and Japanese noodle shop. Casual, bright, modern room. Mon-Sat 11:30am-3:30pm, 5:30-10:30pm. Appetizers @€4.10, Soup and wok noodle dishes @€11.40, desserts @€5.30.
O’Ginko: #17 Rue de Castellane. Japanese cuisine, including full menu of cooked dishes, plus sushi and sashimi, served in set menus including soup, salad and choice of main, as well as a la carte. Modern room. Daily 11am-3:30pm, 6:30-11pm. Menu prices @€13-22, a la carte appetizers @€5, sushi rolls @€8.5.
Les Caprices de Charlotte: #14 Rue de Castellane at Rue de l’Arcade. Patisserie with pastries, baguette sandwiches, quiche, coffee and tea. Counter service. Seating for about 20 in casual modern space. Mon-Sat 7am-8pm. Moderate prices.
Le Boutiques des Vins: #31/33 Rue de l’Arcade (actually inside Passage Puteaux). Wine bar serving French cuisine, including a small plates menu, plus many wines by the glass at reasonable prices. Traditional room and seating along the covered passage. Mon-Fri Noon-3pm, 6-11:30pm. Lunch prix fixe @€24.
On October 25, 1836, the Luxor Obelisk was erected in the center of the Place de la Concorde by order of King Louis-Philippe. Offered to France by the Viceroy of Egypt as a token of goodwill, I too this picture today was i was passing through the area and the sun was so magnificent…
"[T]his makes it rather clear that Janet Jackson, via exposing her right breast and her juxtaposition with Beyonce (representing the American spirit), was 'designed' to embody Lady Justice/Liberty - signifying or prompting the rebirth of the spirit of 'Columbia'. The prevalent 'blackness' additionally alludes to the pertinence of another related figure Mary Magdalene, recently made popular by the huge success of the book The Da Vinci Code, as this biblical/esoteric 'wife' of Jesus - embodying the feminine and sexuality - was sometimes portrayed as the 'Black Madonna'."
CONCORDE EL GRAN PAJARO DEJA SU NIDO Los altoparlantes desgranaron tres tristes notas: sonaron como el canto angustiado de un pájaro. En realidad era una estratagema de los técnicos para alejar del aeropuerto de Blagnac las bandadas de estorninos que habían invadido la región. Se trataba de evitar que los pequeños pájaros comprometieran el despegue del pájaro gigante. A las 15 horas y 36 minutos del último 2 de marzo se iniciaba así el Operativo Fox Whisky Sierra Sierra Tango, clave para deletrear, FWSST, nombre Oficial del Concorde para la seguridad aérea. La F por Francia, Whisky por prototipo y, finalmente, la sigla SST por vuelo supersónico. A las 16 y 10, exactamente, todo había terminado. Hubo entre los espectadores una explosión de alegría: la suprema creación de la industria aeronáutica anglo-francesa —el Concorde— volaba, y volaba bien. La multimillonaria apuesta que se había hecho hacía siete años acababa de ser ganada en forma brillante para beneplácito de ingleses y franceses y, en general, de todos los europeos. En los países más industrializados del mundo son muy frecuentes las pruebas de aviones prototípicos. Pero éste era un caso realmente especial, el final de una guerra dé imágenes: la de la industria europea ante la de los Estados Unidos. El éxito del Concorde —un gigantesco avión de pasajeros sin precedentes en la historia de la aviación— significaba nada menos que el derecho, por parte de los europeos, de seguir compitiendo con sus aliados yanquis en el plano de la más compleja de las industrias. El éxito representa para Francia ¡una justificación para seguir proclamando su "grandeur", al tiempo que desautoriza las tácticas y manifiestas protestas del "young power" que alegran las neblinosas calles de Londres. Sin embargo, ese prototipo tiene diferencias con el Concorde definitivo. El 001 —como se lo llama— no pesaba más de 108 toneladas. En su vuelo inicial estaba provisto de ¡muy escasa reserva de carburante en razón de los pocos minutos que duraría y a que no llevaba ningún pasajero a bordo. El futuro Concorde —que será puesto en servicio comercial dentro de tres o cuatro años— deberá despegar con un peso considerablemente mayor: 178 toneladas. En cuanto a los motores que emplea el actual prototipo tampoco son los definitivos. Los probados son los Olympus 593 del estadio "O" y sus performances están limitadas a sólo 37.400 libras con uso de los posquemadores, un dispositivo que tiende a aprovechar los gases mal quemados. Los Olympus que se entregarán dos años después de la puesta en servicio del Concorde, con la entrega del cuadragésimo avión, tendrán una potencia de 38.240 libras, incluidos los correspondientes posquemadores. En el momento de la puesta en servicio comercial, el Concorde será el avión de línea capaz de trasportar 140 pasajeros, además de los integrantes de la tripulación. A pesar de sus gigantescas proporciones desarrollará una velocidad máxima de crucero alucinante: 2,2 Mach, o sea 2.330 kilómetros por hora. No será fácil, sin embargo, verlo cruzar el cielo porque se ocultará a la vista desde la tierra: en los momentos de velocidad máxima viajará a la altura media entre los 15 mil y los 19 mil metros. Como tendrá una carga útil máxima de 12.700 kilos—lo que significará una autonomía de vuelo ligeramente superior á los 6.400 kilómetros— el nuevo avión acortará sorprendentemente la duración de los viajes. Por ejemplo, invertirá sólo 3 horas y veinte minutos en cruzar el océano Atlántico (en la actualidad los aviones subsónicos de reacción que hacen el servicio entre Europa y los Estados Unidos tardan para hacer el mismo recorrido siete horas y media). Si resultan sorprendentes la altura y la velocidad de desplazamiento del Concorde no lo son menos sus dimensiones. Mide 58 metros de longitud (seis metros menos que la altura del obelisco de Buenos Aires). Tiene 11 metros y medio de alto (aproximadamente el de una casa de tres pisos) y más de 26 metros y medio de envergadura, o sea de distancia entre los extremos de las alas. El sistema hermético de la cabina está regulado electrónicamente y puede mantener una presión interior normal equivalente a la que se está expuesto a los 1.800 metros, aunque vuele a 18 mil de altura. Los mandos son accionados por medio de señales eléctricas. Los circuitos correspondientes están duplicados con dos subsistemas totalmente separados y, en el caso de producirse tuna falla general, el piloto puede acudir a un sistema mecánico de emergencia. El sistema hidráulico también consta de dos circuitos principales totalmente separados y de un sistema de emergencia independiente. Tanto el timón de dirección como el tren de aterrizaje, los frenos, el mecanismo de dirección del tren delantero, la nariz abatible (para dar mayor visibilidad al piloto en los momentos de despegue, aterrizaje y maniobras en pista), las entradas de aire y las bombas para el combustible, son de accionamiento hidráulico. Gran parte de la estructura del Concorde ha sido construida de una recia aleación de aluminio, resistente al calor. En ciertas secciones, sin embargo, se empleó una aleación de acero y titanio, de mayor resistencia aún.
Orígenes del proyecto En 1956, establecimientos de investigaciones industriales y estatales de ambos lados del canal de la Mancha, iniciaron los estudios preliminares sobre los problemas del vuelo comercial supersónico. El 19 de noviembre de 1962 se celebró una acuerdo entre los gobiernos de Francia y el Reino Unido en el cual se repartían por partes iguales la responsabilidad, los costos, las tareas de desarrollo y producción, y el producto de las ventas de un avión supersónico que habría de llamarse Concorde. Todo el trabajo, según establecía el convenio, sería fiscalizado por un comité permanente adjunto integrado por funcionarios especializados que son responsables ante ambos gobiernos signatarios. Estos, a su vez, delegaron su responsabilidad en la British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) y la empresa francesa Sud Aviation (sociedad anónima de cuya propiedad forma parte el estado francés). Ambas empresas optaron por el empleo de un largo fuselaje delgado y con alas en forma de ojiva, con el objeto de reducir al máximo la resistencia supersónica. De acuerdo con el convenio, la empresa británica se encargó del 66 por ciento de las tareas de desarrollo del 'motor y del 40 por ciento de las relativas a la estructura, y la empresa francesa, por su parte, del resto, que totaliza aproximadamente el 50 por ciento del proyecto total. El programa de pruebas en tierra fue el más minucioso jamás aplicado hasta ahora a un avión de línea. En él participaron los más importantes laboratorios e instalaciones para el ensayo de aviones, tanto del Reino Unido como de Francia, a un costo equivalente a los 3.780 millones de pesos. El programa de ensayos en aire comprende tres etapas. La primera de ella, a baja altura, está consagrada a la puesta a punto de los equipos. En el interior del actual Concorde hay 12 toneladas de cables e implementos electrónicos que registran tres mil datos y los envían directamente a tierra. De este modo los técnicos de los controles terrestres conocen el comportamiento del avión mejor que el afamado piloto de pruebas André Turcat, quien tuvo a su cargo el primer vuelo de prueba, y posteriormente otros tres más. La segunda etapa de ensayos se iniciará probablemente dentro de poco más de un año. En ella se estudiarán las vibraciones producidas por las corrientes violentas de gran altura. Estas pruebas se realizarán con el prototipo construido en Inglaterra. La tercera etapa estudiará el comportamiento del avión en la zona próxima a la velocidad del sonido (Mach 0,93 y Mach 1,2). En total, las tres etapas de vuelo de prueba llevarán 4.500 horas. Todavía se está investigando el problema del ruido, producido tanto por el estampido sónico como por los motores. En 1967 se realizaron en el Reino Unido una serie de ensayos destinados a determinar la reacción del público al estampido sónico, pero hasta que el propio avión no haya volado a velocidades supersónicas no se sabrá con precisión qué pasará cuando se produzca el estampido. Investigaciones recientes permiten suponer que sería posible atenuar sus efectos, pero incluso si se prohibieran los vuelos supersónicos sobre territorio habitado, seguiría habiendo un gran mercado para el Concorde puesto que el 75 por ciento del tránsito aéreo mundial se limita a rutas oceánicas. Se estima que en la segunda mitad de 1970 las compañías que han comprometido hasta ahora sus compras de Concorde —74 aviones para 10 países: Estados Unidos, Reino Unido, Francia, Australia, Canadá, Japón, Alemania, Bélgica, Líbano y la India— podrán disponer de sus aparatos. Las importantes empresas que han reservado opciones de compra no abrigan dudas acerca del aumento de tránsito que provocará la rapidez del Concorde. Se esperan vender para 1975 unos 200 aparatos y se estima que la demanda mundial potencial es de unos 500 aviones supersónicos, lo que representaría ventas —compartidas con los Estados Unidos— por un valor total de 7.000 millones de libras esterlinas. Tales perspectivas justifican el entusiasmo de sus constructores ante el éxito del primer vuelo experimental. Al día siguiente de la prueba, los ingleses — tradicionalmente parcos en exteriorizaciones— emitieron mediante el Ministerio de Correos de Gran Bretaña estampillas especiales para conmemorar el vuelo inicial del maravilloso pájaro gigante. PANORAMA, ABRIL 19, 1969
El presidente francés Emmanuel Macron proclamó la apertura de los juegos en una ceremonia celebrada en la Plaza de la Concordia.
https://p.dw.com/p/4k1v1
El atleta germano Markus Rehm porta la llama paralímpica frente al famoso Obelisco de Luxor en la Plaza de la Concordia, en París, Francia. Imagen: Gonzalo Fuentes/AP Photo/picture alliance
El presidente de Francia, Emmanuel Macron, proclamó oficialmente "abiertos" los Juegos Paralímpicos de París, este miércoles (28.08.2024) por la noche durante una ceremonia celebrada en la Plaza de la Concordia, en el corazón de la capital francesa.
Un mes después del inicio de la cita olímpica en París, la ceremonia de apertura de los Paralímpicos 2024 ofreció un espectáculo enfocado a la inclusión de todos los cuerpos y prometió una "revolución" que transformará el mundo.
Esta vez bajo el brillante sol parisino, la cita paralímpica, la primera de la historia en Francia, comenzó puntualmente a las 18H00 GMT con un espectáculo de unas tres horas ideado por el prestigioso director de teatro francés Thomas Jolly.
"Bienvenidos al país del amor... y de la revolución", declaró el presidente del Comité Organizador de París-2024, Tony Estanguet, una vez caída la noche en la plaza de la Concordia, donde un escenario central en torno al famoso Obelisco de Luxor acogió el espectáculo 'Paradoxe' (Paradoja).
El Obelisco de la plaza de La Concorde y la Torre Eiffel se iluminan durante la Ceremonia de Apertura de los Juegos Paralímpicos de 2024.Imagen: Thomas Padilla/AP Photo/picture alliance
Unos 4.400 deportistas de 168 delegaciones desfilaron desde los Campos Elíseos, considerada entre los franceses como "la avenida más hermosa del mundo", hasta la plaza donde Luis XVI y María Antonieta perdieron sus cabezas durante la Revolución.
A su paso, los casi 50.000 espectadores aplaudieron y corearon los nombres de los países y los paradeportistas entretenían al público.
"La revolución paralímpica"
"Esta noche comienza la revolución paralímpica", aseguró Estanguet, una idea compartida por el presidente del Comité Paralímpico Internacional (CPI), el brasileño Andrew Parsons, que celebró durante su discurso "el evento deportivo más transformador del mundo".
Los abanderados de Alemania Edina Mueller y Martin Schulz durante la ceremonia de apertura de los Juegos Olímpicos de París 2024 en la Place de la Concorde. Imagen: Zac Goodwin/empics/picture alliance
Tras las palabras de Estanguet y Parsons, el presidente Macron declaró oficialmente "abiertos" los Juegos Paralímpicos de París.
La música tuvo un protagonismo especial durante la ceremonia con Chilly Gonzalez tocando el piano, con la artista francesa Christine and the Queens interpretando una nueva versión de la canción de Édith Piaf 'Non, je ne regrette rien' y con el DJ francés Myd amenizando el desfile de los 167 países más el del equipo de refugiados.
Esas 168 delegaciones, récord histórico de participación, suponen mejorar el récord anterior de 164 en los Juegos Paralímpicos de Londres 2012 y de Tokio 2020, con tres países (Eritrea, Kiribati y Kosovo) debutando en una cita.
French president Macron declares Paris 2024 Paralympic Games open
By Reuters
August 28, 20245:49 PM GMT-3Updated 5 months ago
Item 1 of 2 Paris 2024 Paralympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - August 28, 2024 The Obelisk of Luxor on the Place de la Concorde displays the colours of the flag of France during the opening ceremony REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska
[1/2]Paris 2024 Paralympics - Opening Ceremony - Paris, France - August 28, 2024 The Obelisk of Luxor on the Place de la Concorde displays the colours of the flag of France during the opening ceremony REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
PARIS, Aug 28 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games open on Wednesday during an opening ceremony that was being held on the Champs Elysees and the Place de la Concorde.
Competitions will start on Thursday and end on Sept. 8.
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Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Chris Reese
This square used to be named Place Louis XV after the king who built it, including the two magnificent buildings looking on the square, which were royal property. In the middle of the square used to stand a statue of the same king, which was of course destroyed during the French Revolution. The obelisk, a gift from Egypt, came later in 1836.
With 19 acres, this is the largest square in Paris, therefore it was used for celebrations gathering large crowds: a notable one was a banquet for the marriage of the future Louis XVI with Marie-Antoinette. During that event, fireworks ignited a fire which caused panic among the thousands of people attending and over one hundred of them died crushed by the mass movement.
During the reign of terror, one of the guillotines was placed there for executions of high profile personalities: including the king and queen, and many members of the revolutionary government like Danton and Robespierre. By the foot of the obelisk, a plaque serves as a reminder of the events.
Through this guided historical walk, walk the neighborhoods of Saint-Germain and the Bourbon Palace in search of visible or hidden traces of Freemasonry in the capital. These scattered symbols illustrate the taste of secrecy that characterizes the Masonic initiation rite: its new members are introduced by cooptation and are required not to reveal the identity of other members throughout their initiation. The Masonic secret has always fueled fantasies and misconceptions about this order born in Great Britain in 1717. Your passionate guide will teach you to distinguish the signs and decipher the truth from the false to focus on the historical origin of Freemasons, their organization, the main figures, and above all, their importance in the formation of our society.
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