This
is a short walk right in the heart of Paris taking in both islands
in the middle of the Seine.
Starting of in front of the Louvre, the walk goes to Les Halles via
the Bource de Commerce and the church of St Eustache.
Passing the shopping centre at Chatelet the walk continues through
a pedestrianised area to the Pompidou Centre.
Carrying on past Hotel de Ville, a taster is given of the Marais area
of Paris before crossing over to the Ile St Louis in the middle of
the River Seine. From here its a short hop to the next island Cite
and Notre Dame. |
Start of Walk
First 400m |
Like
all the walks it is difficult to put a time on it, some people will
do it in a couple of hours, others will take a weekend. Like all the
walks we concentrate on the logistics, there are masses of guide books
and reference material which will cover the history and background
of the places encountered.
We start the walk at the eastern end of the
Louvre at the crossroads of the Rue De Louvre and Rue de Rivoli
outside the Louvre-Rivoli Metro station on Line 1. |
Bource
De Commerce |
Walk
due north along the Rue de Louvre. This is a main Paris artery with
run of the mill shops and offices housed in sometimes historic buildings.
After about 300m, you will see the striking circular building the
Bource de Commerce on your right, set back from the road |
The
Bource de Commerce was built 1765-8 on the site of an hotel as a corn
market. Its certainly an impressive structure and if you can get inside,
do - its now the City of Paris Trade Centre. To fully appreciate the
building you must circumnavigate it which is no hassle as our walk
continues behind the Bource on the opposite side from the Rue de Louvre
we have walked up.
Behind the Bource is an open park style space the Jardin Des Halles.
There are seats, kiosks and space to play boules. You will see steps
leading down underground to a vast underground car-park unseen below. |
Our
next stop is the Church of St Eustache, the vast church you can see
looking to your left. Choose your path over to the church there are
plenty of alternatives.
St Eustache took over 100 years to build, finally completed in 1637.
In size it is second only to Notre Dame which we finish our walk with
a visit to. Take a walk around inside, there is a kiosk selling guide
books inside if you require more insight.
After visiting, return to the gardens and then head along the main
path through the park heading west-east. |
Church
of St Eustache |
 |
This
whole area was once a market area called Les Halles, this has long
gone. In its place is a major shopping centre called Forum Des Halles,
most of it hidden from view underground. You will pass entrances on
your left and see an impressive tiered hole in the ground where you
can see several floors of the centre.
Within the centre is also a swimming pool, cinema and yes that rarest
of commodities in Paris, a public toilet. The complex is also part
of the vast Les Halles/Chatelet Metro and RER interchange - a town
almost in its own right. |
If
you've resisted the charms of Les Halles, carry on straight along
the pedestrianised way, crossing a major road. Just keep going straight
until you come to the Pompidou
Centre (see our special page).
This area is as lively at night as it is during the day. There are
countless bars and restaurants stretching over the extensive pedestrianised
areas. You will almost certainly encounter a number of street entertainers.
The picture to the right is taken from the south-west corner of the
square in front of the building. If you look behind you from this
position there are signposts indicating the way to the Hotel de Ville,
heading south.
Follow the signs to the Hotel de Ville. If you get lost keep heading
south until you hit the main road the Rue de Rivoli, and turn left.
The Hotel de Ville is along the Rue de Rivoli.
The Hotel de Ville (Town hall) is not normally open to the public
unless there is an exhibition on. There is usually a crowd of tourists
in the large square in front milling around. The square was once used
for public executions and the locals used to pay a lot of money for
vantage points around the square.
On the other side of the Rue de Rivoli from the Hotel de Ville is
the large department store - Bazar de Hotel de Ville. Its on our way
so you might want to browse around. |
Pompidou
Centre |
Hotel
de Ville |
| |
Second Half of Walk >>>> |
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