OK, maybe there are not enough skyscrapers to compete with Manhattan, but that's close enough ;-) This area is called, Le front de Seine, it's located in the 15th arrondissement and it was not always like this... This part of Paris was very industrious (the 15th was known to be a worker area), but from the 50's onwards factories started closing or moving to the suburbs. Since Paris needed offices and housing, the government thought of building towers, like in many "modern" cities. The work started in 1967, but due to the many complaints (it was too "modern"), it was never totally completed and stopped in 74. Now they are renovating some areas, and especially a big shopping mall called Beaugrenelle, that should (re)open very soon. More (in French) here.
I had my office there for 10 years (until last year!)
ReplyDeleteI can even see the window on your picture ;-)
Really? So you had a fantastic view on the Seine !!
DeleteGorgeous photo! It looks like an architectural drawing.
ReplyDeleteYes a little bit. I had to strengthen the contrast a bit...
DeletePart of what I love about Paris is precisely that it's NOT Manhattan! I was living there when this began in '67—wasn't a big fan then, either. Love your picture though—and would love it even more if it were a photo of, say, Chicago. :~}
ReplyDeleteYeah, I remember - even if I was a little boy! - that it was controversial!
DeleteThis almost looks like a computer rendering! I've seen these buildings at night, but I didn't realize that they were only in the 15th. Eric, you're giving me a terrific education!
ReplyDelete;-)
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