Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
SQUARE
PLACE DE LA BASTILLE
The Bastille, a 14th-century fortress built to protect the city gates, is the most famous monu-
ment in Paris that no longer exists. Nothing remains of the prison it became under Cardinal
Richelieu, which was mobbed on 14 July 1789, igniting the French Revolution, but you
can't miss the 52m-high green-bronze column topped by a gilded, winged Liberty. Revolu-
tionaries from the uprising of 1830 are buried beneath. Now a skirmishly busy roundabout,
it's still Paris' most symbolic destination for political protests.
If you're interested in finding the Bastille's one-time foundations, look for a triple row of
paving stones that traces the building's outline on the ground between bd Henri IV and rue
St-Antoine. The foundations are also marked below ground in the Bastille metro station, on
the platform of line 5.
MUSEUM
CINÉMATHÈQUE FRANÇAISE
noon-7pm
Mon & Wed-Sat, to 8pm Sun; Bercy)
A little-known gem near the Parc de Bercy, the Cinémathèque Française was originally cre-
ated in 1936 by film archivist Henri Langlois. On site are two museums, one presenting
temporary exhibitions (usually taking a behind-the-scenes look at a particular film) and the
other devoted to the history of cinema, with props (including some from Méliès' classic
A
Trip to the Moon,
featured in
Hugo
), early equipment and short clips of a few classics. Enter
via place Léonard-Bernstein by the park.
Also here is a vast film library for researchers and a
theatre
screening up to 10 films daily.
PARK
PROMENADE PLANTÉE
8am-9.30pm May-Aug, to 5.30pm Sep-Apr;
Bastille or Gare de Ly-
on)
The disused 19th-century Vincennes railway viaduct was successfully reborn as the world's
first elevated park, planted with a fragrant profusion of cherry trees, maples, rose trellises,
bamboo corridors and lavender. Three storeys above ground, it provides a unique aerial
vantage point on the surrounding architecture. Access is via staircase - usually at least one
per city block - and lift (elevator; although they're invariably out of service). At street level,
the
Viaduc des Arts
gallery-workshops run along av Daumesnil.
