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BIBLIOTHÈQUE NATIONALE
The Bibliothèque Nationale de France was first
a royal and later an imperial library before becoming a national
institution. Its mission is to collect and conserve all works published,
whatever the media, with the purpose of making them available to
researchers and professionals. Under French law, publishers must
deposit several copies of the works they publish in the Bibliothèque
Nationale de France. With a 12 million volume collection that includes
Gutenberg Bibles and first editions from 15th century, the Bibliothèque
Nationale is possibly the largest library in Continental Europe.
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LA BOURSE (PARIS STOCK MARKET)
La Bourse |
The Paris’s Stock exchange had a rather frivolous beginning.
Founded in 1724, it soon became a treasure chest for the Bourbon
kings who enjoyed issuing wirthless bonds to finance their taste
for palaces and warfare. The Jacobins closed the exchange during
the Revolution to fend off war profeeters. It was reopened with
Napoleon, who loved all Neoclassical things and relocated it to
its current somber building, complete with requisite Corinthian
Columns. The Bourse houses a Museum of itself that explains its
history and ambiguous present function. |
THÉÂTRE MUSICAL POPULAIRE (OPÉRA COMIQUE)
Opéra comique |
Laughs and sobs have resonated at the Opéra Comique for 2
centuries. Originally built as the Comédie Italienne, it
burned down twice in the 1840s and was finally rebuilt in 1898.
It was here that Bizet’s Carmen first hitched up her skirts,
cast a sweltering glance at the audience, and seduced Don José.
With the new management the opera has changed its name and expanded
to embrace all kind of musical theatre, including Broadway musicals
and operettas. |
TOUR DE JEAN SANS PEUR
Tour Jean sans peur |
Who is Jean Sans Peur (Fearless Jean)? He is the man responsible
for the Hundred Years' War. His big mistake? Murdering Louis d'Orleans
in 1407. Halfway up the tower where he used to live, you can find
an enchanting vault encrusted with leafy greenery. The structure
also houses the council of the duke of Burgundy. The vault of the
large screw is one of the masterpieces of the French Gothic sculpture.
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