If you\u2019re just joining us on our tour of Paris, feel free to go back and read a few of the previous posts that might be of interest to you. In our last post, we discovered two modern marvels dotting the Parisian cityscape: l\u2019Arche de la D\u00e9fense<\/i><\/b> and le Centre Pompidou<\/i><\/b>. These sights might not speak to traditionalists or to those captivated by \u201cclassic\u201d architecture, but they are an important element of the city\u2019s multi-faceted personality and should be on your itinerary if you want the full Parisian experience.<\/p>\n
Today, we will continue our exploration of post-modern Paris by visiting le Parc de la Villette<\/i><\/b><\/a> (Villette Park). Described as \u201c[une] espace de d\u00e9tente, lieu de culture et de divertissement,<\/i><\/b>\u201d (a venue for relaxation, culture and entertainment), le Parc de la Villette is in fact the largest urban park in the city stretching over an area of 55 hectares (136 acres). La Villette used to be an abattoir<\/i><\/b> (slaughterhouse) and meat market built in 1867 during the reign of Napoleon III. In 1979, plans were laid out to develop the area into a vast urban park and cultural complex d\u00e9di\u00e9 \u00e0 la musique, la science et la technologie<\/i><\/b> (dedicated to music, science and technology). Like la Basilique du Sacr\u00e9 C\u0153ur and l\u2019Arche de la D\u00e9fense, un concours international<\/i><\/b> (an international contest) was held to select a forward-thinking and ambitious architect capable of taking on such a formidable project. In 1983, French architect Bernard Tschumi won the competition. It took nearly vingt ans<\/i><\/b> (twenty years) to complete, but the Parc de la Villette has since become a symbol of creativity, modernism and daring architectural achievement.<\/p>\n
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