Whilst the French Revolution occurred over 200 years ago (1789-92) ,too many landmarks remain for Paris to claim that it is a brand new city. Yet whilst these homages to an iconic and somewhat uncertain turning point in history are on display for everyone to see, it is questionable whether both residents and holiday makers really appreciate their significance.
October 2013 saw myself and a group of friends head off to Paris on an eventful school residential. As historians, artists, and linguists it is safe to say that although we were all looking forward to soaking up the typical sophisticated Parisian atmosphere, we were also keen to explore the heritage and overwhelming significance of the city. Our four days were spent hopping from metro station to metro station, exploring places of historical importance such as the Arch du Triomphe, Napoleon's Tomb and Palace of Versailles (to name but a few!)
The integration between the past and the present Paris really fascinated me to the extent that it has taken me this long to fathom what I saw and to be able to put it into words. Whilst walking along the Champs du Mars, directly opposite the Eiffel Tower, it occurred to me that I was walking in the same place in which hundreds of radical Parisians were massacred by the monarchy for daring to sign a petition asking for a constitutional monarchy. Yet at the same time that I was pondering why on earth I was allowed to walk across such important ground, at least a hundred people were standing by the grass taking selfies and eating crepes. On another occasion, whilst standing by the wall of a church which had visible bullet holes from the weapons of the revolutionary armies, so many people were walking past with Chanel and other designer handbags. In the light of this, is it really reasonable to argue that Paris is the city of history that it has claimed to be?
Well, it certainly cannot be ignored that these monuments exist, and no one can argue that the French Revolution and the era of Napoleon never happened - we can see that with our own eyes. Perhaps what has changed is the relative importance of such heritage. Everyday citizens within Paris are as accustomed to the Eiffel Tower and Louvre as Londoners are to the House of Parliament and the Tower of London. Understandably, when you live somewhere that is so culturally rich, it must be hard to fully appreciate it as you've been exposed to it your whole life. But perhaps the advent of social media and a growing online community has meant that people do not need to go abroad to experience history for themselves. Why travel to Paris to see the Arch du Triomphe when you can watch someone else's trip on YouTube? The time that would have been wasted whilst appreciating history can be spent shopping for macaroons and I love Paris t-shirts!
History needs to be seen up close and personal to be truly appreciated and believed. Whilst a day trip around Paris is indeed fun however it is spent, I cannot champion enough the importance of spending time uncovering the city's heritage for yourself - it's too important to forget.
October 2013 saw myself and a group of friends head off to Paris on an eventful school residential. As historians, artists, and linguists it is safe to say that although we were all looking forward to soaking up the typical sophisticated Parisian atmosphere, we were also keen to explore the heritage and overwhelming significance of the city. Our four days were spent hopping from metro station to metro station, exploring places of historical importance such as the Arch du Triomphe, Napoleon's Tomb and Palace of Versailles (to name but a few!)
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| The Champs du Mars, taken from the Eiffel Tower |
Well, it certainly cannot be ignored that these monuments exist, and no one can argue that the French Revolution and the era of Napoleon never happened - we can see that with our own eyes. Perhaps what has changed is the relative importance of such heritage. Everyday citizens within Paris are as accustomed to the Eiffel Tower and Louvre as Londoners are to the House of Parliament and the Tower of London. Understandably, when you live somewhere that is so culturally rich, it must be hard to fully appreciate it as you've been exposed to it your whole life. But perhaps the advent of social media and a growing online community has meant that people do not need to go abroad to experience history for themselves. Why travel to Paris to see the Arch du Triomphe when you can watch someone else's trip on YouTube? The time that would have been wasted whilst appreciating history can be spent shopping for macaroons and I love Paris t-shirts!
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| I will never forget my trip to Paris - both the history and the company were incredible. |
