Lafayette Blog|Your Blog About Lafayette
Nov
29
Filed Under (Destinations) by
peterhutch asked:
The Statue of Liberty, formerly known as “Liberty Enlightening the World”, was the brainchild of French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, a gift from France to America. Its construction took hundreds of workers working 7 days a week, 10 hours a day, 9 years to complete in 1884. 350 statue pieces were packed into 214 crates and shipped from France to New York. The statue was reconstructed on Bedloe Island, now called Liberty Island, in New York harbor because this was where people would get their first view of the New World as they sailed into the harbor. The statue is a universal symbol of freedom that welcomes all immigrants coming to America.
Located on a 12 acre island, the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.
In transit, the Statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 crates. The Statue was re-assembled on her new pedestal in four months time. On October 28th 1886, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty took place in front of thousands of spectators. She was a centennial gift ten years late. “The story of the Statue of Liberty and her island has been one of change. The Statue was placed upon a granite pedestal inside the courtyard of the star-shaped walls of Fort Wood (which had been completed for the War of 1812.)
History
Construction of the Statue began in France in the year 1875, by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi. The final completion date of the individual sections was in June of 1884, and it stood in Paris until it was dismantled in early 1885 for shipping to the US. Engineering of the structure’s assembly was done by Gustave Eiffel. The French frigate “Isere” transported the Statue from France to the United States. In transit the Statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 crates.
There are 354 steps inside the statue and its pedestal. There are 25 viewing windows in the crown. The seven rays of Liberty’s crown symbolize the seven seas and seven continents of the world. Liberty holds a tablet in her left hand that reads “July 4, 1776″ (in Roman numerals), Independence Day of the United States of America.
Symbolism
The classical appearance (Roman stola, sandals, ****** expression) derives from Libertas, ancient Rome’s goddess of freedom from slavery, oppression, and tyranny. Her raised right foot is on the move. This symbol of Liberty and Freedom is not standing still or at attention in the harbor, she is moving forward, as her left foot tramples broken shackles at her feet, in symbolism of the United States’ wish to be free from oppression and tyranny. The seven spikes on the crown represent the Seven Seas and seven continents.
America probably could not have won its freedom from the British during the American Revolution without the help of the French. France provided arms, ships, money and men to the American colonies. Some Frenchmen - most notably the Marquis de Lafayette, a close friend of George Washington - even became high-ranking officers in the American army. It was an alliance of respect and friendship that the French would not forget.
Lady Liberty, representative of freedom to the world, shines bright in New York Harbor. Created by Frenchmen Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the Statue was a gift from France to the United States. Now, visitors can view the inside of the statue through a glass ceiling, and capture a better image of Lady Liberty through the enhanced lighting and video system surrounding the statue. Once again, visitors can walk onto the observation deck to see New York City and its Harbor. With a torch and a book in her hands, Lady Liberty has generously welcomed immigrants and visitors for over a century.
WHELLER
The Statue of Liberty, formerly known as “Liberty Enlightening the World”, was the brainchild of French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, a gift from France to America. Its construction took hundreds of workers working 7 days a week, 10 hours a day, 9 years to complete in 1884. 350 statue pieces were packed into 214 crates and shipped from France to New York. The statue was reconstructed on Bedloe Island, now called Liberty Island, in New York harbor because this was where people would get their first view of the New World as they sailed into the harbor. The statue is a universal symbol of freedom that welcomes all immigrants coming to America.
Located on a 12 acre island, the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.
In transit, the Statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 crates. The Statue was re-assembled on her new pedestal in four months time. On October 28th 1886, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty took place in front of thousands of spectators. She was a centennial gift ten years late. “The story of the Statue of Liberty and her island has been one of change. The Statue was placed upon a granite pedestal inside the courtyard of the star-shaped walls of Fort Wood (which had been completed for the War of 1812.)
History
Construction of the Statue began in France in the year 1875, by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi. The final completion date of the individual sections was in June of 1884, and it stood in Paris until it was dismantled in early 1885 for shipping to the US. Engineering of the structure’s assembly was done by Gustave Eiffel. The French frigate “Isere” transported the Statue from France to the United States. In transit the Statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 crates.
There are 354 steps inside the statue and its pedestal. There are 25 viewing windows in the crown. The seven rays of Liberty’s crown symbolize the seven seas and seven continents of the world. Liberty holds a tablet in her left hand that reads “July 4, 1776″ (in Roman numerals), Independence Day of the United States of America.
Symbolism
The classical appearance (Roman stola, sandals, ****** expression) derives from Libertas, ancient Rome’s goddess of freedom from slavery, oppression, and tyranny. Her raised right foot is on the move. This symbol of Liberty and Freedom is not standing still or at attention in the harbor, she is moving forward, as her left foot tramples broken shackles at her feet, in symbolism of the United States’ wish to be free from oppression and tyranny. The seven spikes on the crown represent the Seven Seas and seven continents.
America probably could not have won its freedom from the British during the American Revolution without the help of the French. France provided arms, ships, money and men to the American colonies. Some Frenchmen - most notably the Marquis de Lafayette, a close friend of George Washington - even became high-ranking officers in the American army. It was an alliance of respect and friendship that the French would not forget.
Lady Liberty, representative of freedom to the world, shines bright in New York Harbor. Created by Frenchmen Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the Statue was a gift from France to the United States. Now, visitors can view the inside of the statue through a glass ceiling, and capture a better image of Lady Liberty through the enhanced lighting and video system surrounding the statue. Once again, visitors can walk onto the observation deck to see New York City and its Harbor. With a torch and a book in her hands, Lady Liberty has generously welcomed immigrants and visitors for over a century.
WHELLER
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Oct
20
Filed Under (Destinations) by
Phil Chavanne asked:
If there’s one thing the French know how to do well, it’s food. Food is more of an art (and for some, a quasi religion) in France, and so I knew I would be remiss in my duties to readers of paris-eiffel-tower-news.com if I did not go and seek out Paris’s finest gastronomic glories for you. Sampling the following is not an option – it’s a must!!!
In Part I, we discovered real French bread at Poilane’s and the Raspail organic food open street market. Now, we uncover the top level Lafayette gourmet food court, and Paris’s finest fromageries in Androuet’s 5 Parisian cheese shops to you.
Lafayette Gourmet – a Riot of Tastes and Colors
The Galeries Lafayette is one of the most distinguished and famous shopping landmarks in Paris. Their high-fashion displays and grand old-world architecture (including a very fine stained-glass dome) make any shopping there a remarkable experience. I have to admit though that I tend to spend most of my time loitering around its breathtaking Gourmet food court.
The food court is located on the top floor of the Galeries, and is a veritable riot of tastes and colors. There you’ll find everything and more to tantalize the dedicated gourmet: a bakery with a dizzying array of specialty breads and pastries (testament to France’s continuing love affair with baked goods of every description); a cheese counter with at least a hundred different varieties of cheese (both French and imported); meats and seafood; a deli offering the very best specialty foodstuffs; and fruit and veggies of every origin from all around the world — all products flawlessly fresh.
There is even a large section dedicated to every spice imaginable. The luxury chocolate and candy displays are worth a prolonged visit. I usually stock up here on all kinds of European chocolates when I’m in town as many brands can’t be found in the US and all of them are sold cheaper in Paris.
To top things off, Lafayette Gourmet also boasts a ‘wine library’ unlike any other: 1,800 of the world’s finest wines, classified and presented with enough loving attention to satisfy demanding wine connoisseurs.
40, boulevard Haussmann 75009 PARIS
Metro: Chaussée d’Antin La Fayette
Say Cheese!
Beside wine, what else are the French obsessed with? Cheese! The French passion for cheese and the proliferation of the stuff in their country is frankly unsurpassed. A famous quote from Charles de Gaulle goes, “How can you be expected to govern a country that has 246 kinds of cheese?”
The French are as serious about their cheese as they are about their wine, and so it comes as no surprise that, like wine, French cheese is protected by AOC laws (appellation d’origine contrôlée, name of a controlled origin). These laws allow only certain limited quantities of a particular cheese to be produced in order to prevent mass production ruining the subtle variations in French regional cheeses.
So, in search of the ultimate cheese repast, I asked my Parisian friends where the cheese crème de la crème (no pun intended) was to be found in France’s capital. The answer was unanimous: “Androuet!”
And Androuet it was. I wandered over to their fromagerie (cheese shop) at 37, rue de Verneuil and was greeted with the most tantalizing displays of cheeses – you have to see it to believe it! The cheeses look a far sight different than what they laughingly call cheese in supermarkets – this is the real enchilada.
Family owned and run, Androuet was founded back in 1909 by the current owner’s grandfather, and since then its people have been cultivating the art of the maître fromager affineur (cheese maturing master). The name is famous worldwide. Today, and to the great benefit of the Parisian population, the house of Androuet actually comprises 5 fine cheese shops in Paris alone and plans to open another one in the new Roissy airport! They even have a branch in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital.
Androuet’s cheeses hail from more than 200 different locations and are all exclusively made with raw milk. Each cheese is unique, cured and matured under the supervision of maîtres affineurs (masters in cheese ripening), and aged or prepared in curing cellars. You’ll find Androuet’s shops in all Parisian tourist guides, and I was told that their clientèle comes from all over the world – from the US to Japan.
Cheese is best accompanied with bread and wine, and Androuet specializes in the best. They provide a wide range of wines, from red Sancerre to Chateau Neuf du Pape, and work with two Parisian bakeries to supply you with some very decent bread to go with your cheese.
So you can get your cheese, your wine and your bread all in one fell swoop, as well as excellent advice on all three free of charge. The staff speaks English, and a variety of other languages, so communication shouldn’t be much of a problem… failing that, animated gesticulations punctuated by the odd use of random foreign words have always worked wonders for me abroad…
For those who want to take some of this priceless loot back home, Androuet provides air-tight and vacuum-sealed packages.
For Americans, you can check the US Customs & Border Protection website for the latest on food importing rules at help.cbp.gov, or the US Department of Agriculture’s website (www.usda.gov). At the moment, they confirm that cured cheeses (i.e. hard cheeses like parmesan and cheddar) are generally admissible if imported for personal use, although this is subject to change depending on disease outbreaks. Keep in mind that you should declare them. Ask for advice from Androuet’s staff – they’ll be in the know about this.
A buffet-size assortment goes from 35 to 70 euros, and they do themed gourmet gift baskets, boxes and chests too. They even cater for private or business cheese-themed buffets with the whole nine yards: fresh and dried fruit, Poilane or Poujauran breads (see below), wine, candles, floral decorations etc.
Androuet in Paris (normal working hours Tuesday to Saturday, and they all close at 7:30 pm):
37, rue de Verneuil - 75007 Paris
Metro: Rue du Bac, Solférino (line 12).
134, rue Mouffetard - 75005 Paris
Metro: Censier Daubenton (line 7).
1, rue Bois le Vent - 75016 Paris
Metro: La Muette (line 9), Passy (line 6).
17, rue des Belles-Feuilles - 75016 Paris
Metro: Victor Hugo (line 2), Trocadéro (lines 6, 9).
23, rue de la Terrasse - 75017 Paris
Metro: Villiers (lines 2, 3).
SYTSMA
If there’s one thing the French know how to do well, it’s food. Food is more of an art (and for some, a quasi religion) in France, and so I knew I would be remiss in my duties to readers of paris-eiffel-tower-news.com if I did not go and seek out Paris’s finest gastronomic glories for you. Sampling the following is not an option – it’s a must!!!
In Part I, we discovered real French bread at Poilane’s and the Raspail organic food open street market. Now, we uncover the top level Lafayette gourmet food court, and Paris’s finest fromageries in Androuet’s 5 Parisian cheese shops to you.
Lafayette Gourmet – a Riot of Tastes and Colors
The Galeries Lafayette is one of the most distinguished and famous shopping landmarks in Paris. Their high-fashion displays and grand old-world architecture (including a very fine stained-glass dome) make any shopping there a remarkable experience. I have to admit though that I tend to spend most of my time loitering around its breathtaking Gourmet food court.
The food court is located on the top floor of the Galeries, and is a veritable riot of tastes and colors. There you’ll find everything and more to tantalize the dedicated gourmet: a bakery with a dizzying array of specialty breads and pastries (testament to France’s continuing love affair with baked goods of every description); a cheese counter with at least a hundred different varieties of cheese (both French and imported); meats and seafood; a deli offering the very best specialty foodstuffs; and fruit and veggies of every origin from all around the world — all products flawlessly fresh.
There is even a large section dedicated to every spice imaginable. The luxury chocolate and candy displays are worth a prolonged visit. I usually stock up here on all kinds of European chocolates when I’m in town as many brands can’t be found in the US and all of them are sold cheaper in Paris.
To top things off, Lafayette Gourmet also boasts a ‘wine library’ unlike any other: 1,800 of the world’s finest wines, classified and presented with enough loving attention to satisfy demanding wine connoisseurs.
40, boulevard Haussmann 75009 PARIS
Metro: Chaussée d’Antin La Fayette
Say Cheese!
Beside wine, what else are the French obsessed with? Cheese! The French passion for cheese and the proliferation of the stuff in their country is frankly unsurpassed. A famous quote from Charles de Gaulle goes, “How can you be expected to govern a country that has 246 kinds of cheese?”
The French are as serious about their cheese as they are about their wine, and so it comes as no surprise that, like wine, French cheese is protected by AOC laws (appellation d’origine contrôlée, name of a controlled origin). These laws allow only certain limited quantities of a particular cheese to be produced in order to prevent mass production ruining the subtle variations in French regional cheeses.
So, in search of the ultimate cheese repast, I asked my Parisian friends where the cheese crème de la crème (no pun intended) was to be found in France’s capital. The answer was unanimous: “Androuet!”
And Androuet it was. I wandered over to their fromagerie (cheese shop) at 37, rue de Verneuil and was greeted with the most tantalizing displays of cheeses – you have to see it to believe it! The cheeses look a far sight different than what they laughingly call cheese in supermarkets – this is the real enchilada.
Family owned and run, Androuet was founded back in 1909 by the current owner’s grandfather, and since then its people have been cultivating the art of the maître fromager affineur (cheese maturing master). The name is famous worldwide. Today, and to the great benefit of the Parisian population, the house of Androuet actually comprises 5 fine cheese shops in Paris alone and plans to open another one in the new Roissy airport! They even have a branch in Stockholm, Sweden’s capital.
Androuet’s cheeses hail from more than 200 different locations and are all exclusively made with raw milk. Each cheese is unique, cured and matured under the supervision of maîtres affineurs (masters in cheese ripening), and aged or prepared in curing cellars. You’ll find Androuet’s shops in all Parisian tourist guides, and I was told that their clientèle comes from all over the world – from the US to Japan.
Cheese is best accompanied with bread and wine, and Androuet specializes in the best. They provide a wide range of wines, from red Sancerre to Chateau Neuf du Pape, and work with two Parisian bakeries to supply you with some very decent bread to go with your cheese.
So you can get your cheese, your wine and your bread all in one fell swoop, as well as excellent advice on all three free of charge. The staff speaks English, and a variety of other languages, so communication shouldn’t be much of a problem… failing that, animated gesticulations punctuated by the odd use of random foreign words have always worked wonders for me abroad…
For those who want to take some of this priceless loot back home, Androuet provides air-tight and vacuum-sealed packages.
For Americans, you can check the US Customs & Border Protection website for the latest on food importing rules at help.cbp.gov, or the US Department of Agriculture’s website (www.usda.gov). At the moment, they confirm that cured cheeses (i.e. hard cheeses like parmesan and cheddar) are generally admissible if imported for personal use, although this is subject to change depending on disease outbreaks. Keep in mind that you should declare them. Ask for advice from Androuet’s staff – they’ll be in the know about this.
A buffet-size assortment goes from 35 to 70 euros, and they do themed gourmet gift baskets, boxes and chests too. They even cater for private or business cheese-themed buffets with the whole nine yards: fresh and dried fruit, Poilane or Poujauran breads (see below), wine, candles, floral decorations etc.
Androuet in Paris (normal working hours Tuesday to Saturday, and they all close at 7:30 pm):
37, rue de Verneuil - 75007 Paris
Metro: Rue du Bac, Solférino (line 12).
134, rue Mouffetard - 75005 Paris
Metro: Censier Daubenton (line 7).
1, rue Bois le Vent - 75016 Paris
Metro: La Muette (line 9), Passy (line 6).
17, rue des Belles-Feuilles - 75016 Paris
Metro: Victor Hugo (line 2), Trocadéro (lines 6, 9).
23, rue de la Terrasse - 75017 Paris
Metro: Villiers (lines 2, 3).
SYTSMA
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Oct
04
Filed Under (Destinations) by
Gerald Robinson asked:
Paris has become synonymous with women’s fashion. From the late 19th century, the world has looked to the City of Light for its fashion direction. To take home a piece of Paris fashion, consider the following:
Department Stores
Don’t dismiss Parisian department stores as a source of fashion. They can be a great place to see a wide range of styles and designers – all under one roof. The larger stores even have a number of mini-boutiques representing the “big name” designers within the store.
Galeries Lafayette – Built in 1906, this belle epoque multi-level shopping palace is as much fun to look at as it is to shop in. Each floor circles an atrium overlooking the bustling main cosmetics floor. The store specializes in women’s clothing and accessories. The view from the tea shop on the top floor is worth the visit. The Galeries Lafayette offers free fashion shows on Wednesdays. Le Printemps – Located near the Palais Garnier, this huge store is noted for its household goods as well as its fashion. The store offers many services for American visitors, including shipping, translation, and a personal shopping service. Printemps offers several free fashion shows each week. Bon Marche – Located on the Left Bank, this stylish store was Paris’ first department store. Designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame), it is particularly known for its younger, slightly off-beat fashion.
Haute Couture
Since the late 19th century, Paris has been the undisputed Queen of fashion. Designers, such as Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Balenciaga, and Schiaparelli have all contributed to making the Parisian Haute Couture industry the best in the world. More recently, Christian LaCroix and Karl Lagerfeld have helped to perpetuate that status. Many of the great fashion houses are located in side streets jutting off of the Champs Elysees near the Place de la Concorde.
Getting into a fashion show at one of the major houses can be difficult if you’re not an A-list celebrity or have a seven-figure checking account. Your best bet is to enlist your hotel’s concierge. (Remember to tip him well.) Failing that, most of the most famous houses have adjacent pret-a-porter (ready to wear) stores, where you can find manufactured versions (but still well-made and tailored) of the singular haute couture fashions.
Les Boutiques
The younger and more modern French designers have mostly opted to open their own retail stores and forego expensive haute couture operations. These stores, with names such as Sonia Rykiel, Thierry Mugler, and Kenzo are largely concentrated in the area surrounding the Right Bank fashion houses, along the Left Bank, and around the Place de la Victoire. Prices are still somewhat steep, but generally much less than those at the “big name” houses.
American vs. French Sizes
French sizes in women’s clothing and shoes are completely different from US sizing. Use the following as a guide:
Dresses, Coats, Skirts
US 4 = French 32 US 6 = French 34 US 8 = French 36 US 10 = French 38
Sweaters and Blouses
US 4 = French 78 US 6 = French 81 US 8 = French 84 US 10 = French 87
Women’s Shoes
US 5 = French 36 US 7 = French 38 US 8 = French 39 US 9 = French 40
The above is intended to be a guide. There are also slight differences in fit between French and American clothes. French-made shoes, for instance, tend to be slightly narrower than American shoes.
MORONEY
Paris has become synonymous with women’s fashion. From the late 19th century, the world has looked to the City of Light for its fashion direction. To take home a piece of Paris fashion, consider the following:
Department Stores
Don’t dismiss Parisian department stores as a source of fashion. They can be a great place to see a wide range of styles and designers – all under one roof. The larger stores even have a number of mini-boutiques representing the “big name” designers within the store.
Galeries Lafayette – Built in 1906, this belle epoque multi-level shopping palace is as much fun to look at as it is to shop in. Each floor circles an atrium overlooking the bustling main cosmetics floor. The store specializes in women’s clothing and accessories. The view from the tea shop on the top floor is worth the visit. The Galeries Lafayette offers free fashion shows on Wednesdays. Le Printemps – Located near the Palais Garnier, this huge store is noted for its household goods as well as its fashion. The store offers many services for American visitors, including shipping, translation, and a personal shopping service. Printemps offers several free fashion shows each week. Bon Marche – Located on the Left Bank, this stylish store was Paris’ first department store. Designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame), it is particularly known for its younger, slightly off-beat fashion.
Haute Couture
Since the late 19th century, Paris has been the undisputed Queen of fashion. Designers, such as Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Balenciaga, and Schiaparelli have all contributed to making the Parisian Haute Couture industry the best in the world. More recently, Christian LaCroix and Karl Lagerfeld have helped to perpetuate that status. Many of the great fashion houses are located in side streets jutting off of the Champs Elysees near the Place de la Concorde.
Getting into a fashion show at one of the major houses can be difficult if you’re not an A-list celebrity or have a seven-figure checking account. Your best bet is to enlist your hotel’s concierge. (Remember to tip him well.) Failing that, most of the most famous houses have adjacent pret-a-porter (ready to wear) stores, where you can find manufactured versions (but still well-made and tailored) of the singular haute couture fashions.
Les Boutiques
The younger and more modern French designers have mostly opted to open their own retail stores and forego expensive haute couture operations. These stores, with names such as Sonia Rykiel, Thierry Mugler, and Kenzo are largely concentrated in the area surrounding the Right Bank fashion houses, along the Left Bank, and around the Place de la Victoire. Prices are still somewhat steep, but generally much less than those at the “big name” houses.
American vs. French Sizes
French sizes in women’s clothing and shoes are completely different from US sizing. Use the following as a guide:
Dresses, Coats, Skirts
US 4 = French 32 US 6 = French 34 US 8 = French 36 US 10 = French 38
Sweaters and Blouses
US 4 = French 78 US 6 = French 81 US 8 = French 84 US 10 = French 87
Women’s Shoes
US 5 = French 36 US 7 = French 38 US 8 = French 39 US 9 = French 40
The above is intended to be a guide. There are also slight differences in fit between French and American clothes. French-made shoes, for instance, tend to be slightly narrower than American shoes.
MORONEY
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