The
Champs-Elysées - often referred to as the world’s most beautiful avenue. Maybe…,
certainly among the most beautiful ones, obviously with some 100 million visitors
per year.
Normally, most of my posts are trying to praise the beauty of Paris, but this time I must allow myself to come with some critics, something I have done very occasionally, e.g. here.
Normally, most of my posts are trying to praise the beauty of Paris, but this time I must allow myself to come with some critics, something I have done very occasionally, e.g. here.
I took some
photos from the lower, eastern parts, of the “Champs”, between the “Rond-Point”
and “Place de la Concorde”. Here are some examples of what I found:
This “pergola”,
some kind of shelter, originally built for a flower market at “Place de la
République”, but rather immediately, in 1883, transferred to the Champs,* has been
in this bad shape for years. How is this possible? Its “sister”, on the other
side of the “Champs” is in good shape.
The
pavements, visited by tens of thousands of tourists every day, are in very bad shape,
and have been so for years. I saw examples of wheel-chairs and baby-buggies in difficulties…
Where are
the gardeners (doing such wonderful jobs elsewhere in Paris) and the “leaf-sweepers”?
A tree should have been replanted…
Street lampions
to be repaired (and a forgotten garbage bag).
When were
these benches repainted last time?
The “Rond-Point” is surrounded by six fountains.
They are supposed to be newly equipped (for the xth time). I saw an announcement
about this maybe two years ago. The works seem to be ongoing, but obviously in
a very slow pace – not a single “worker” the last times I have passed. When I
see what they are supposed to look like, I have some doubts… too technical
solutions very seldom work for a long time without important repairs… or abandon
– many examples unfortunately to be found in Paris.
If this post could find its way to the mayor of
Paris…
*/ I found
detailed information about this here.
Addendum November 5:
Did Mrs Hidalgo read this post? Walking home tonight, I found that some urgent repairs had been done and also that some “leaf-sweepers” were present!
Addendum November 5:
Did Mrs Hidalgo read this post? Walking home tonight, I found that some urgent repairs had been done and also that some “leaf-sweepers” were present!
Posts
3 comments:
Cela me rend triste Peter.
En Juillet 2017 j'ai vu la saleté près et sur le Champ de Mars.
On ne peut pas passer son temps à vouloir supprimer les voitures de la Capitale et tenir celle-ci clean pour le plaisir des Parisiens et des touriste.
Tu devrais envoyer le lien de ta publication à la Mairie de Paris.
LA
Peter, you are right and wise to point out the parts that aren't so good in hopes that someone will take heed and do the right thing to repair. Paris is indeed a beautiful city and you capture that beauty all the time. But this part seems like a neglected little hole, for whatever reason.
Tell me they mayor's name and I'll write him a letter!
We're finally home. Lovely to see you on this trip. It was one of the highlights of my Paris stay! Thank you!
This is my favorite stretch of the avenue. Just because there are no fancy shops, the city should still have some pride. Come on, Paris!
Post a Comment