Paris The Capital of France

First and foremost you may want to hit the most famous spots like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Notre Dame, and all the typical tourist attractions, although these may be the most well known places in France there are so many other things to see and do. France is known for its museums and cathedrals but did you know that you could visit King Louis the XIV’s Palace of Versailles or Claude Monet’s home that was the background of many of his most accomplished paintings? Cave art, historical sights, world-renowned restaurant ands so much more are all apart of France’s rich

We recently watched the film Paris is Burning, a documentary about black drag queens in Harlem and their culture surrounding balls. Directly related we also read two feminist critiques, Gender is Burning: Questions of Appropriation and Subversion by Judith Butler and Is Paris Burning by bell hooks. Two areas of critique I focus on and question are the critiques regarding the filmmaker, audience and drag queens and how they participate to reinforce a heterosexual racist patriarchy. Furthermore I ask if this line of investigation is the most beneficial way to view and understand the film and its various participants.

In “The Other Paris” by Mavis Gallant, Howard’s proposal and Carol’s compliance are instigated by society’s imposing perception of the nature of marriage; the justification both individuals share about their actions is precipitated by the pressure society has placed upon such union. Through employing an ironic tone and comical characterizations of Carol and Howard, Gallant criticizes how society approaches the subject of marriage.

During the nineteenth century, Paris further developed into the entertainment capital of the world. Alistair Horne, the author of the Seven Ages of Paris, vividly illustrates several historical moments that occurred in Paris. Through the horrors and triumphs, Paris was able to endure through it all for ages and still emerge greater than before. In comparison, Vanessa R. Schwartz, the author of Spectacular Realities: Early Mass Culture in Fin-de-siècle, demonstrates how the explosive popularity of the boulevard, the newspapers, wax museums, panoramas, and early cinema led to the creation of a new culture in Paris. Driven by consumerism, a cultural revolution was happening, who’s new culture transcended gender and class divisions. Both authors

In “The Other Paris,” two characters, Carol and Howard Mitchell are soon-to-be married young adults whose actions are completely influenced by the norms of society. The author, Mavis Gallant, provides clear social commentary on the societal influences on marriage through satirical uses of irony and mockery, the use of a omniscient narrator, and substantial characterization of the relationship between the couple to show the reader how ridiculous and formulaic the “pillars of marriage” can be, and how society ultimately determines which aspects of these pillars receive emphasis.

For a bohemian, eclectic ambiance, stop by the Paris on Ponce. Placed above Ponce de Leon Avenue, this building is filled with oddities, antiques and artwork. The landmark building offers a range of antiques, ateliers and home furnishings to suit every budget.

Paris is Burning is a documentary about the ‘ballroom culture’ of LGBT and black cultures. It was shot in the mid-80s in New York, but it was released 1990. Through the film and the characters, many aspects of this culture are explored. Things like ‘realness’, ‘balls’, and the different concept of ‘family’ that the members of this community have, allows us to see and learn more about the drag community and what is like to see the world through their eyes. Besides all of these aspects, the film main focus is gender identity, theme that has also bring about many opinions about what gender is and what does it mean to be a woman. Some of the questions that the film has raised are if to be a woman is to be born like one or is just to look like one.

The environment in which people live in demonstrates the societal norms and values of said culture. In Émile Zola’s The Belly of Paris, Florent, a political outcast, returns to Paris only to find that the regime has drastically changed. Napoleon III, a self-elected emperor, has torn down many of the streets of Old Paris to make room for the angular and orderly streets of New Paris as well as the new markets of Les Halles. Throughout the novel, the character’s lives revolve around the various markets in Les Halles and the streets of Paris. Zola uses descriptions of architecture and city planning as well as how people use space within Paris to demonstrate the city’s corruption, signifying that the architecture of a city is a reflection of

In Charles Rearick’s book, Paris Dreams, Paris Memories, he describes the various ways in which Paris is “represented” through various images he identifies as the City of Light, Old Paris, the Capital of Pleasures, and Paname. Rearick further writes how and why these images of Paris came of importance and how they shaped the geographical layout of the city we know today. All of these images together have likewise produced the city of Paris while also providing the framework of Parisian events and experiences.

In spite of their appearance, these massive spans serve no practical function. They are strictly ornamental and do not help support the structure, which was the first object built to withstand the forces of the wind as well as gravity. Only now, more than one hundred years later, can we see the tower in context. It has aged gracefully and no longer stands in contrast to the ornate architecture that has survived in modern Paris. Once the exposition was over, plans were made to destroy the Eiffel Tower. The monument that brought so much displeasure because it represented that which was modern, new, and very un-Parisian, was actually saved by technological advances. Engineers realized that the structure would make a perfect broadcasting tower.

The Louvre was not founded as a museum, and the road to attaining today’s program expanded across six centuries of monarchies, wars, treaties, and revolution. Dating far back to the 12th century as a fortress for King Phillip II, the Louvre laid foundations with protective walls, and underground crypts to function not as a gallery for the public, but rather a stronghold for the private. As the decades turned, the old Louvre acclimated to the needs of the monarchies, undergoing usage as both a stronghold and a retreat, but entirely defense-based nonetheless (Deitz). Two centuries passed when Charles V altered the program from a bulwark of protection, changing it into a residency. Here the program shifted towards a notion of more public structure. Several French kings after, Francis I decorated the bulky fortress with a French renaissance style, further changing the Louvre’s appearance and adapting the architecture to the art style of the time. This move would be seen again in I. M. Pei’s controversial addition. Under King Henry IV, the Louvre underwent reconstruction (Kostof). During the rise of Versailles, artisans resided within the Louvre’s halls, giving way to the notion of an art influenced program for the building

It was one of the largest efforts to rebuild the centre of a city since ancient times. While there was the glamour of the many entertainments in the city, there was also a darker side of poverty, crime and prostitution. "The city - with its pristine exterior, its soiled underside, its hollow entertainments - provided the makings of an enormous duality: a two-sided mirror...a spectacle and secret life." (Bromber 1996: 62) One of the key parts to this design by Haussmann were the wide tree lined avenues, which replaced the smaller streets that had previously existed in the city. "Haussmann's grand design for the reconstruction of Paris was being carried forward by the Third Republic, and the city was now laced with wide, tree-lined avenues." (Schneider 1972: 134) In fact, the modern city of Paris is based on the city that was built by Haussmann and the modern perception of Paris as being the artistic and cultural centre that it is known for, is chiefly based on Haussman's design and re-modelling of the city.

3. Lack of theme parks and the large population that lived in and around Paris had to be targeted and offered a unique, fun filled and mystical theme park. A Disney park in Paris was poised to be a sure shot winner.

Paris is like no other place on earth, its beauty is indescribable, the amount of famous structures is astounding, and is attraction draws many tourists there every year. My experience touring Paris will always be on of my favorite memories. Everywhere I looked, it was as if I was in a dream. There was so much elegance in such simple structures it seemed unrealistic. Wherever I went, it seemed as if the magnificence only grew with each passing step.

If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would like to travel to Paris the capital of France. Paris is said to be one of the best cities in the world. Although it is urban, people there still live romantic and slow-paced lives. I think that such a place is hard to extremely rare. Also, Paris is famous for its politics, fashion, arts and science. I really want to try out the food in Paris especially the cheese there. I have also read a lot about the attractions in Paris such as the Louver, the Eiffel Tower and the Notre -dame de Paris. I yearn to see for myself these great works of art. Paris is also a shopping heaven; there are different famous brands and luxury brands in different department stores. Parisians understand how to enjoy their life and how to find happiness from ordinary things. They also understand how to transform their ideals about life into art, make them into music or other artistic forms. In a word, I really love Paris.