The best road cycling routes around Luzarches

Magnificent place along the canal for a peaceful ride. Even though the cycle path is not in impeccable condition in some places.

Shade and coolness with the sound of flowing water

Nice spot with a beautiful descent towards Viarmes

The Place de la Concorde, located at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées and bordering the Seine, is the largest square in Paris (approximately 8 hectares). It forms a strategic point connecting several major thoroughfares: the Tuileries Garden, the Rue Royale, the Pont de la Concorde, and the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Origins and Creation (1755–1772) The square was designed starting in 1755 by the architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel, First Architect to King Louis XV. It was intended to glorify the monarchy and house an equestrian statue of Louis XV, which was unveiled in 1763. The initial design featured: a vast open esplanade, two monumental pavilions to the north (now the Hôtel de Crillon and the Hôtel de la Marine), decorative octagonal moats, dry moats, and balustrades. The overall design is in a restrained and harmonious neoclassical style. The French Revolution: Place de la Révolution (1792–1795) From 1792 onward, the square became a major political symbol. The statue of Louis XV was toppled and replaced by the guillotine. Between 1793 and 1794, more than 1,100 people were executed there, including: Louis XVI (January 21, 1793), Marie Antoinette, Charlotte Corday, Georges Danton, and Robespierre (July 27, 1794). This event profoundly marked the history of the square. Renaissance and pacification in the 19th century In 1795, it was renamed Place de la Concorde, symbolizing national reconciliation. Major elements added in the 19th century: Luxor Obelisk (1836) At the center stands an Egyptian obelisk, a gift from the Viceroy of Egypt, Muhammad Ali, to France. Dating from around 1300 BC, it comes from the Temple of Luxor, weighs over 220 tons, and is covered in hieroglyphs celebrating Ramses II. It was erected in 1836 during the reign of Louis-Philippe. Monumental Fountains Two large fountains inspired by St. Peter's Square in Rome: Fountain of the Seas (facing the Mediterranean), Fountain of the Rivers (facing the Seine). They symbolize: navigation and trade, and France's major waterways. Statues of the Eight Cities of France (1830–1836) Around the square, eight allegorical statues represent: Paris – Marseille – Lyon – Bordeaux – Nantes – Brest – Rouen – Strasbourg. (Strasbourg remained veiled after 1871 in memory of annexed Alsace). Surrounding Architecture To the north: Hôtel de Crillon (1788), an aristocratic palace that became a luxury hotel, Hôtel de la Marine, former royal furniture repository and later headquarters of the Navy. To the south: Opening onto the Seine and the Pont de la Concorde (1787–1791), built in part with stones taken from the Bastille. To the west: View towards the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. To the east: Entrance to the Tuileries Garden and view towards the Louvre. Contemporary Role Today, the Place de la Concorde is a major tourist attraction, a major thoroughfare, a venue for national ceremonies, and hosts each year: the Bastille Day parade on July 14th, temporary illuminations and installations, and social demonstrations. It remains a symbol of: royal power, revolutionary violence, national reconciliation, and the grandeur of Parisian urban life.

Located in the 8th arrondissement, at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées, next to the Tuileries Garden and the Pont de la Concorde. Monuments and Highlights Luxor Obelisk: Height: 23 m, weight: 220 tons. Covered in hieroglyphics, with diagrams at the base depicting its transport from Egypt. Two monumental fountains (1840): Fountain of the Seas and Fountain of the Rivers, designed by Jacques Ignace Hittorff, inspired by those of St. Peter's in Rome. Allegorical statues: Representing French cities (Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg, Nantes, Brest, Lille, Bordeaux, Rouen). Rostral columns and historic lampposts surround the square.

The Place de la Concorde, with its famous granite obelisk of Luxor towering into the sky, is one of the most impressive squares in the world. Particularly impressive are the unique setting of the Place de la Concorde, the numerous works of art, and the history of the square. History of the Place de la Concorde In the mid-18th century, the square was originally designed as a royal square, with a large equestrian statue of Louis XV enthroned in the center, adjacent to the Jardin des Tulieres and the Seine. The name and function of the square changed during the French Revolution. The largest square in Paris at the time was called Place de la Révolution and was the scene of gruesome events: More than 1,000 people were guillotined here, including Louis XVI, his wife Marie Antoinette, and Robespierre and his followers. In order to eradicate the memory of the bloody revolution, the square was renamed Place de la Concorde in 1795.

A beautiful fountain complex at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Taking a break here is both worthwhile and interesting. A visit is highly recommended 👍.

The Château de Thiers-sur-Thève, now in ruins, is a former 13th-century fortified castle listed as a Historic Monument in 1862. Built as a hunting lodge for the bishops of Beauvais, it is distinguished by its large state room pierced with large windows, a rare example of medieval residential architecture in the Île-de-France region. Partially dismantled in the 15th century, its circular towers, moats, and Gothic remains can still be admired.