Gardens of the Belle Epoque and the Universal Expositions .281871.E2.80.931914.29 History of parks and gardens of Paris

the serres d auteuil (1898), next bois de boulogne, provide trees, shrubs , flowers parks of paris

napoleon iii captured germans during franco-prussian war of 1870 , second empire replaced third french republic. new government named jean-charles alphand director of public works of paris, , continued work had begun under emperor , haussmann. finished parc montsouris , several smaller squares, including square boucicault (now square maurice-gardette) , square d anvers (1877). of alphand s abundant energy devoted building of universal expositions of 1878 , 1889, each of included extensive gardens. in charge of building paris exposition of 1889, including construction of eiffel tower. last great project before death in 1891.

the construction of new squares , gardens carried during third republic 1 of alphand s protégés, architect jean camille formigé. while did not undertake new large parks on scale of of alphand, built series of new squares in paris neighborhoods; square ferdinand brunot; square frédéric lemaître; square adolphe chérioux; square du vert-galant; square des epinettes, , square des arènes de lutèce. impressive accomplishment serres d auteuil (1898), ensemble of greenhouses provided flowers, trees , shrubs of parks of paris.

jardins du trocadéro (1878-1937)

the trocadero palace , gardens @ paris universal exposition of 1900.



at exposition of 1878, gardens of trocadero displayed full-size head of statue of liberty, before statue completed , shipped new york.

the trocadero had been site of country house of catherine de medici, of monastery, destroyed during french revolution. napoleon had projected build palace son there; king louis xviii planned build monument there battle of trocadero in 1823. under napoleon iii, alphand had built basin, paths radiating outwards, large lawn, , stairway descending hill down edge of river.

when site chosen in 1876 part of paris universal exposition of 1878, architects gabriel davioud , jules bordais chosen construct palais de trocadero, massive temporary structure in vaguely moorish style, large rotunda flanked 2 towers, curving wings on either side. gardens, designed alphand, occupied slope palace on top of hill down seine. center of garden occupied long series of cascades ending in large basin @ bottom @ bottom of hill. cascade lined statues of animals , of female figures representing 5 continents (the statues decorate square next musée d orsay). largest piece of statuary in garden head of statue of liberty, made before rest of statue, , displayed in order raise funds completion.

when exposition finished, gardens redesigned english landscape garden; groves of trees planted, winding paths laid out, , stream , grotto constructed. gardens remained in place paris universal exposition of 1889. paris international exposition of 1937 palace replaced modernist structure , fountains rebuilt, picturesque gardens on hillsidewere left were. (see parks , gardens of 1930s below).

champ-de-mars (1908–1927)

the gardens surrounding huge exposition hall of 1867 paris universal exposition, held on champ-de-mars.



the champ-de-mars gardens (1908–1927) seen eiffel tower

the champ de mars, 24.5 hectares in area, created in 1765 parade ground , training field neighboring ecole militaire. during french revolution site of large patriotic festivals, including festival of supreme being conducted robespierre in 1794. surrounded moat , not open public until 1860, when napoleon iii filled in moat , planted trees along borders, still remained property of army. site of 1867 paris universal exposition, featured large domed pavilion in center, surrounded garden, surrounded large oval-shaped gallery. rest of champ de mars occupied exposition halls , extensive andscape gardens, designed alphand.

the champ-de-mars served again main site of paris universal exposition of 1878. gigantic palace of glass , iron 725 meters long occupied center of park, surrounded gardens designed alphand. paris universal exposition of 1889, celebrating centenary of french revolution, alphand placed eiffel tower in center, near monumental gallery of machines. exposition included palace of fine arts , palace of liberal arts. space around eiffel tower , between galleries , palaces filled large landscape garden, extended along axis between eiffel tower , seine, , ended @ river @ colossal fountain group of allegorical figures, called city of paris illuminates world torch. fountain lit @ night electric lights shining water through plates of colored glass.

in 1889, champ-de-mars formally transferred french army city of paris. used once more paris universal exposition of 1900, and, then, beginning in 1909 until 1927, developed public park. unusual site; large park in paris not enclosed fence, , crossed 3 major boulevards. huge gallery of machines, occupied of site, demolished in 1909. park architect jean camille formigé (1849–1926), protégé of alphand. used long central axis eiffel tower ecole militaire create formal , symmetrical park in french style. long central axis lined paths , rows of trees; basin fountains placed in center; playgrounds built along sides. original gardens 1889 exhibition, around eiffel tower, preserved in original form , can still seen. other french formal gardens, best seen above, in case top of eiffel tower.