L'étoile !
Monday, July 26, 2010 Posted by Eric Tenin
OK, I won't even think of pretending I took this shot! Besides, it is highly prohibited to fly over Paris unless you have a good reason... No, I stole it from the television on the occasion of the arrival of the Tour de France on the Champs Elysées (that is actually what I like about this event each year: they show breathtaking views of Paris). Now, look more closely (click in the photo to enlarge it). Do you see the little "arms" around the Arc de Triomphe, embedded in the pavement? Very few people know they are there, because you can only see them from above. Well, they are star arms and that is why before being called the Place Charles de Gaulle, it used to be called "L'Etoile" (the Star).
July 26, 2010 12:33:00 AM GMT+02:00
Breathtaking views of Paris for sure! The giant screen that was set up on the Champs Elysee was an amazing addition to being able to witness the final sprints live.
I'm curious about one thing though. During the tv coverage of the Bastille Day parade it was also mentioned about flying in Parisian airspace being prohibited. But I had to wonder when not long after that I looked up from my apartment window (in Paris) and saw a plane flying overhead! ?
July 26, 2010 1:05:00 AM GMT+02:00
Neat! - those little star arms. Merci, Eric.
July 26, 2010 2:36:00 AM GMT+02:00
Gee, I wish I could see what you're referring to, but I can't.
July 26, 2010 3:24:00 AM GMT+02:00
Katie K -- there's a 12-point star shape embedded in the pavement of the circle around the arc. Each point of the star points to one of the 12 streets that fan out from there.
And who knew?? So cool, Eric—you can show us pix from the TV anytime you want!
July 26, 2010 3:36:00 AM GMT+02:00
Oh, a star! How wonderful!
July 26, 2010 4:31:00 AM GMT+02:00
WEll now Eric you've taught me something yet again, that I did not know about Paris. I smiled when I read this post because I could just hear the "Metro Lady" saying, "Charles de Gaulle Etoile" right before I got off the last day I was in Paris. Small but sweet memories. Merci mon ami!
V
PS and thanks for the "star" info!
July 26, 2010 4:33:00 AM GMT+02:00
I think it's an understatement to say that "Very few people know they are there..." because many tourists would have made the ascent up the Arc de Triomphe -- and would have noticed the star formation. :)
I was up there before and wow, it was truly breathtaking (even though it was a night scene)...still stunning!
July 26, 2010 6:16:00 AM GMT+02:00
Well golllleeee, I'll be darned.
I always assumed "l'Etoile" referred to the radial pattern streets forming a star as they radiated from l'Arc. I love this photo.
I missed Suzy's anniversaire yesterday? Ooh, sorry Suzy. Happy B'day one day late. (Better than a dollar short.)
July 26, 2010 6:24:00 AM GMT+02:00
Cool. I never noticed that!! I always thought the "star" referred to all the avenues coming in from around the Arch, at least that's what I was told. Neat.
July 26, 2010 6:35:00 AM GMT+02:00
I appreciate your ingenuity in photographing this from the television. Excellent shot Eric!
July 26, 2010 8:08:00 AM GMT+02:00
Eric, my heart has fluttered at those views!
By the way, I notice that this year there is some sort of water slide ride near the Grande Roue. Have you tried it?
July 26, 2010 9:39:00 AM GMT+02:00
That's why I come here every day for my daily shot of this wonderful city.
I had no idea about the stars so next time I'm in the area I will look and very knowledgably (is that a word?!) point them out to whom ever I'm with!!!
July 26, 2010 9:59:00 AM GMT+02:00
@amusette: It is forbidden to fly over Paris, but only Paris City, which means only inside the "périphérique"!
It looks strange, but planes can fly over Vincennes, Montrouge, Neuilly , Clichy, etc... but not over Paris...
And quite often, with the distance, the difference is not obvious ;-)
July 26, 2010 11:16:00 AM GMT+02:00
I was trying too hard to see it, then all of a sudden, eureka! Thank you, Eric. I taped the Paris portion of le Tour and I'm looking forward to regarding it.
July 26, 2010 12:21:00 PM GMT+02:00
Very good tv shot though Eric! Little distortion. What a great view. So - why, when can fly over other cities, is Paris different? What's the official line? Security? Or is it France wanting to keep its beauty all to itself? ;D
Traffic looks unusually calm...
July 26, 2010 1:09:00 PM GMT+02:00
That's awesome. I've been on top of the Arc de Triomphe several times and never noticed that!
July 26, 2010 2:15:00 PM GMT+02:00
Be still my beating heart....this photo is amazing. I'm always glued to my TV to watch every stages of the Tour de France. Oh la la, the scenery as well as the cute men on cycles are always fascinating to watch! I'm sad that the tour is over! Until next year. Thanks for the beautiful photo, Eric!
July 26, 2010 2:22:00 PM GMT+02:00
I love the story Eric. That's both interesting to be taught and beautiful to see as a stolen picture from Tv. In both cases, this interesting post is due to your quality sharing, as always. Thanks a lot.
July 26, 2010 2:49:00 PM GMT+02:00
Hey Flore, nice to see you back!
To everyone: since you like aerial views, have a look at THIS!
July 26, 2010 3:53:00 PM GMT+02:00
Cool Eric and thank you (again! I'll never stop to thank you, I think so !)
I began to watch the YAB video which is GREAT (I can speak about your quality sharings, indeed!). I'll watch the rest of the video later. Very nice :)
July 26, 2010 4:46:00 PM GMT+02:00
That is really cool! I have never seen an aerial view of the Arch and find it fascinating, especially the notion of the stars embedded in the pavement. So beautiful.
July 26, 2010 5:38:00 PM GMT+02:00
Wow beautiful picture! Absolutely breathtaking! Ashley, Travel Onion
July 26, 2010 5:45:00 PM GMT+02:00
Contador was just proclamed winner of the Tour de France!! As an spanish I'm so proud, definitely this is our year in terms of sport.
Anyway, congratulations for the picture, really nice. I really like Paris and I think the best way to experience the city properly is the local way. I just want to share with you guys this nice site
Local Paris Tours which you can discover the Paris to the parisian way
July 26, 2010 7:18:00 PM GMT+02:00
Certainly makes for an interesting layout of the neighborhood. We are so much on the grid in North America.
July 26, 2010 7:57:00 PM GMT+02:00
Merci! Eric for the link to the very cool film of Paris -- the music is great too.
July 27, 2010 1:56:00 AM GMT+02:00
Lovely shot...Merci!! I always liked the "Etoile" moniker...sweet memories! We actually used to have an amazing French restaurant in SF called "L'Etoile"..now long gone.
July 27, 2010 2:19:00 AM GMT+02:00
Nice link, Eric!! Really nice link :)
July 28, 2010 8:24:00 AM GMT+02:00
A good view of L'Etoile can be seen on Google Earth.
My not-so-high-speed internet is downloading the movie for me, about 35 minutes, then I can watch it.
July 29, 2010 2:38:00 AM GMT+02:00
The place might be called Charles de Gaulle but there's still a metro station called Étoile, n'est ce pas?!
August 25, 2010 12:07:00 PM GMT+02:00
I would like to exchange links with your site www.parisdailyphoto.com
Is this possible?
August 26, 2010 6:41:00 PM GMT+02:00
Oh! I never knew! It is amazing. Thank you for this, Eric. I noticed a similar star pattern as a graphic that appears in the stone floor of Napoleon's tomb over at Les Invalides. I guess the star must be associated with him, maybe?
-Kim