Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 07.djvu/159

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PARIS 115 fabxs leine, etc., and its length of nearly 3 miles forms the most stirring part of the city. Here may be noted also the mag- nificent triumphal arches of Porte St. Denis and Porte St. Martin, the former of which is 72 feet in height. On the S. side of the Seine the boulevards are neither so numerous nor so extensive, the best known being the Boulevard St. Germain, which extends from Pont Sully to the Pont de la Concorde. The ex- terior boulevards are so named because they are outside the old city limits; and Place de la Concorde, one of the largest and most elegant squares in Europe, sun rounded by fine buildings and adorned by an Egyptian obelisk, fountains, and statues; Place de I'Etoile, in which is situated the Arc de Triomphe, a splendid structure, 152 feet in height; the Place Vendome, with column to Napoleon I.; Places des Victoires, with equestrian statues of Louis XIV.; Place de la Bas- tille, with the Coluinn of July; Place de la Republique, with colossal statue of the Republic; etc. Within the city are situ- THE PANTHEON AT PARIS the military boulevards, still farther out, extend round the fortifications. After the boulevards mentioned the best streets are the Rue de Rivoli, Rue Castiglione, Rue de la Paix, Rue de la Chaussee d'Antin, the Rue des Pyramides, and 12 fine avenues radiating from the Place de I'Etoile. There are six passenger sta- tions for the railways to the various parts of the country, and a railway around the city (the ceinture) , by means of which interchange of traffic between the different lines is effected. There are also tramway lines to Versailles, St. Cloud, and other places in the suburbs, and an underground electric road. Squares, Parks, Etc. — The most not- able public squares or places are the ated the gardens of the Tuileries, which are adorned with numerous statues and fountains; the gardens of the Luxem- bourg, in which are fine conservatories of rare plants; the Jardin des Plantes, in which are the zoological gardens, hot- houses, museums, laboratories, etc., which have made this scientific institution famous; the Buttes-Chaumont Gardens, in which an extensive old quarry has been turned to good account in enhanc- ing the beauty of the situation; the Pare Monceaux; and the Champs Elysees, the latter being a favorite holiday resort of all classes. But the most extensive parks are outside the city. Of these the Bois de Boulogne, on the W., covers an area of 2,150 acres, gives an extensive