Elegant Real Estate Locations in Paris, France III: Invalides and the Eiffel Tower

By: Karl Schabmuller
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:25:35
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By the end of the 17 th century Louis XIV realised his dream of a hospice for wounded soldiers. Upon the King’s request, one of the most renowned architects, Jules-Hardouin Mansart conceived the elegant “H?tel des Invalides” and its beautiful church with the fabulous golden dome, which was completed in 1708. During the following years, Robert de Cotte designed and laid out the “Esplanade des Invalides”, a symmetrical green lawn that links the church to the Seine . In the late 19 th century, this axis extended to the northern riverbank including the impressive “belle ?poque ensemble”, the “petit” and the “grand palais”. The famous “Alexandre III bridge” with its beautiful lampposts was inaugurated in 1896 by the Russian Czar Nikolai II. The French Foreign Office, the so-called “Quai d’Orsay”, is located in a sumptuous “second empire” palace on the east side of the “Esplanade des Invalides”. In elegant buildings just a few steps further resides the Canadian Cultural Institute and the British Council.

The top floor apartments in “rue Fabert” on the opposite side of the lawn are particularly interesting. They are flooded in light and offer outstanding views of the “golden cupola”, the magic “Alexandre III” bridge, and the elegant glass-steel construction of the two “belle ?poque palais”. From here it is possible to see as far as “Sacre Coeur” and “ Montmartre ”. There is no doubt that this is one of the city’s greatest real estate locations. The southern side of “Invalides” on “Place Vauban” is also very attractive. Inspired by “Saint Peter’s” in Rome , the architects initially planned a two-wing colonnade opening at the entrance of the church and forming a large square. This plan was subsequently cancelled and thus the surrounding buildings are now situated very close to the church and its magnificent dome. The so-called “Br?teuil” district nearby is residential and highly prized by its “bourgeois” population. The remarkable “Ecole Militaire” conceived by the architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel under the reign of Louis XV is only a ten-minute westward walk from here. It marks the final point of the “Champs de Mars” ensemble, which also includes the Eiffel Tower , and the stretch up to the Seine . The buildings on either side of the park date back to the famous “Haussmann period” and many of them have exquisite stone-carved fa?ades.

The top-floor apartments are prized because of their fantastic views of the Eiffel Tower and the city, whereas ground floor properties are sought after because of their private gardens, which are particularly rare in Paris .

The tree-lined lanes parallel to the park are highly appreciated as they are both quiet and green with the added advantage of being close to shops e.g., “avenue Charles Floquet” and “Elisee Reclus”. One of the most famous residents was Fran?ois Mitterand who lived the last years of his life (and also died) here in “avenue Fr?d?ric Le Play”.

The attractive residential area to the east offers some truly elegant 19 th century boulevards, for example avenues “Rapp”, “Bourdonnais” or “Bosquet”. Most of the sumptuous “Haussmann” buildings have extraordinarily beautiful stone-carved fa?ades with little balconies. In some places, “Art D?co” buildings with opulent ornate fa?ades can be seen eg, “29, ave Rapp”, by J. Lavirotte. Many Parisians enjoy living in the residential area between “Invalides” and “Champs de Mars/Eiffel Tower” as it offers both attractive real estate and an excellent infrastructure including the “rue Cler” street market, which is a real eldorado for gourmets. The charming “gros Caillou” district appears rustic in comparison and is considered the least expensive neighbourhood within the 7 th arrondissement.

Article source: Expert Articles