Champ de Mars – Field of Mars
This point of interest is available as audio on the tour: Visit Paris, On the Champs Elysées
You’re now walking through the Champ de Mars, aka the Field of Mars. This large public garden stretches some 780 meters, from the Iéna Bridge all the way to the Military Academy. In fact, it’s exactly because of this military school that it’s called Champ de Mars, in honor of the Greek god of war. It was laid out here, on the Grenelle plain, as a training ground for the king’s soldiers. Since then, it has been the scene of major events in the history of Paris. It was here that the French celebrated their 1st national holiday, the Fête de la fédération, on July 14, 1790! A year later, a gun battle broke out here to disperse a demonstration. This is also where Jean Sylvain Bailly, the first mayor of Paris, was guillotined. Thankfully, things have settled down since then. These days, Parisians and visitors alike gather on the lawns here to enjoy picnics or simply watch the Eiffel Tower light up at night.
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