Basilique du Sacré-Coeur (聖心堂)

Basilique du Sacré-Coeur (聖心堂)

After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, it was proposed to construct a church to the Sacred Heart on the butte Montmartre. Although originally the fund raising was by public subscription, in 1873, the National Assembly declared its construction to be a state undertaking. Of the 78 entries in the competition for its design, the one chosen was by the architect named Abadie. He was already well known for his restoration of the St-Front Cathedral in Périgueux.
The plans for the new basilica called for an edifice of Romano-Byzantine style, and the first stone was laid in 1875. Abadie himself died in 1884 with only the foundation having been completed.

Completed in 1914, it was not consecrated until 1919 after World War I had ended. The final cost was 40 million francs. Since 1885, there has been perpetual adoration and worship within.

The interior of the church contains one of the worlds largest mosaics, and depicts Christ with outstretched arms. The nearby bell tower contains the ``Savoyarde''. Cast in Annecy in 1895, it is one of the worlds heaviest at 19 tons.

Originally uploaded by mambo1935

MOULIN ROUGE

MOULIN ROUGE

Most tourists come to "Moulin Rouge" to watch the fabulous show at night.

Originally uploaded by mambo1935

L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE - The Triumph Arch

L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE - The Triumph Arch

The Arc de Triomphe is a monument in Paris that stands in the centre of the Place de l'Étoile, at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. It is the linchpin of the historic axis (L'Axe historique) leading from the courtyard of the Louvre Palace, a sequence of monuments and grand thoroughfares on a route leading out of Paris. The monument's iconographic program pitted heroically nude French youths against bearded Germanic warriors in chain mail and set the tone for public monuments with triumphant nationalistic messages until World War I.

Originally uploaded by mambo1935

The Ballroom of Fontainebleau Château, France

The Ballroom of Fontainebleau Château, France

Built under François 1st and completed under Henri II by Philibert Delorme, the Ballroom has recently been restored. Originally planned as an open-air loggia, glass windows were rapidly installed to protect it from harsh weather. One can admire the frescos full of movement of Primaticcio and his student Niccolo dell’Abate, as well as the splendid marquetry of the flooring designed under Louis Philippe, reproducing the coffered ceiling richly decorated in silver and gold...

Originally uploaded by mambo1935

金沢城 (Kanazawa Castle, Japan)

金沢城 (Kanazawa Castle, Japan)

Kanazawa sits on the Sea of Japan, bordered by the Japan Alps, Hakusan National Park and Noto Peninsula National Park.

The centre of the castle town was the castle. While many castle towns in Japan had the castle placed to one side of the city, Kanazawa spread out concentrically from the castle site. Kanazawa Castle itself largely burned down in 1888, but there are a few buildings remaining, notably the Ishikawa Gate and the Sanjikken Longhouse, and one large section has been painstakingly rebuilt to authentic standards of construction.

Originally uploaded by mambo1935

金沢兼六園 (Kenrokuen Garden, Japan)

金沢兼六園 (Kenrokuen Garden, Japan)

Kenrokuen Garden is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, along with Kairakuen Garden in Mito City and Korakuen Garden in Okayama City. It is designed for the stroller's pleasure and the name KENROKUEN literally means "garden combining six," referring to its six focal themes of beauty: extensiveness, quiet seclusion, artificial construction, antique elgance, abundant water and wide prospect. It covers an area of twenty-five acres with hills, man-made winding streams, tranquil ponds, and waterfalls.

Originally uploaded by mambo1935

金沢駅 (Kanazawa Station, Japan)

金沢駅 (Kanazawa Station, Japan)

Kanazawa Station, one of the most unique rail stations I've ever been.

Kanazawa sits on the Sea of Japan, bordered by the Japan Alps, Hakusan National Park and Noto Peninsula National Park. The city sits between the Sai and Asano rivers.

The name "Kanazawa"　(金沢), which literally means "marsh of gold", is said to derive from the legend of the peasant Imohori Togoro (lit. "Togoro Potato-digger"), who was digging for potatoes when flakes of gold washed up. The well in the grounds of Kenrokuen known as 'Kinjo Reitaku' （金城麗澤）was recreated by the Maeda lords to acknowledge these roots. The area where Kanazawa City is was originally known as Ishiura Village, and the Ishiura Shrine near Kenrokuen is a remnant of this period.

Originally uploaded by mambo1935