Place de la Concorde – the prime vantage point to view the City of Light

Place de la Concorde the prime vantage point to view the City of Light

The City of Light is arguably the most romantic city in the world. The slow meander of the Seine circles it in a three-sided embrace, while the iconic spires of the Eiffel Tower, the beautiful Notre Dame and Louvre Museum loom over a lighted cityscape that rivals the stars. One can rhapsodize about the merits of the city and the density of recognizable landmarks which appear to be in direct competition with London's own. Yet, to capture the aura of elegance and romance that pervades the city from its meanest cobbled street to its grandest monument is an exercise in futility.

One of the best vantage points from which to appreciate the grandeur of Paris is the Place de la Concorde, a product of the mid-18th century. This octagonal public square surrounded by its own moat is Paris' largest city square and is flanked by the city's most prominent monuments. The Champs-Elysees, the most exclusive street in Europe, is found to its west while the gorgeous Tuileries Gardens sprawl coquettishly to its east. The Rue de Rivoli and the River Seine both help form the backdrop to this scenic square, which no doubt inspired artist Jacques Ignace Hittorff in the crafting of his two spectacular fountains, one of which represents the rivers and the other the seas. Two magnificent buildings which now house the French Naval Ministry and the luxury Htel de Crillon arise towards its northern end; these structures are considered the finest examples of Louis XV-era architecture.

A grand equestrian statue featuring Louis XV had once been placed at the center of the square; the French Revolution saw it torn down by revolutionaries as they re-christened the square "Place de la Rvolution" and symbolically used the base of the statue to behead Louis XV's grandson, the reigning monarch. It is hard to believe when one takes in the serene elegance to which this venue has been returned to in modern times, that cheering, bloodthirsty crowds once stood around this square as the guillotine fell upon Queen Marie Antoinette, Charlotte Corday and the Princess Elisabeth of France as well as the ring-leaders of the revolution themselves, Maximilien Robespierre and Georges Danton. In fact, over 1500 heads rolled during the course of a month at the height of the Revolutionary bloodlust; the guillotine was removed a scant year later and renamed Place de la Concorde as a symbolic olive branch to the new monarchy.

Saving the best for last, the centerpiece of the square today is indubitably the Obelix of Luxor, a three thousand year old 23-meter high pink granite edifice which was an early 19th century gift from the Egyptians. Counterbalancing this rather unsubtle display of phallic superiority are the eight female statues placed at the ends of the square, each representing the largest cities of France.

If a traveler seeks to enjoy the elite surroundings and the glamour of Paris in style, the Le Royal Monceau, Paris France is a suitable deluxe hotel Paris is unashamed to add to its repertoire of grandeur and elegance. The luxury hotel Paris is only minutes away from the Champs-Elysees and has been the first choice of visiting dignitaries and celebrity guests for almost a century.

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