Pavillon de l'Arsenal

Pavillon de l'Arsenal, originally uploaded by Bejan.

Yesterday I spent most of the day at Pavillon de l'Arsenal which was very nice and has a great website ( www.pavillon-arsenal.com/home.php ). It is similar to the SLU discovery center but focus on history, urban redevelopment, and architecture. It includes a very nice timeline exhibit showing how Paris developed since it was founded. The exhibit included lots of old pictures as well as videos about project as well as interviews. It also included a very large scale model of Paris which you can see above.

The areas in yellow are areas where the government is focusing redevelopment efforts. They are mostly on the edge of the city and are located in areas that were previously industrial. The areas in purple are areas that are experiencing change. Combined these areas cover roughly 10 percent of Paris. As any good urban redevelopment project this effort includes the construction of a new tram line along the lime green line (tram line 3 www.ratp.info/orienter/plan_metro_pdf.php) which connects to many of the subway lines.

Versailles

Versailles, originally uploaded by Bejan.

I need to get one

I need to get one, originally uploaded by Bejan.

The Axis

The Axis, originally uploaded by Bejan.

La Defense is a very interesting place. Paris directed all commercial growth outside the city during the 60's and 70's creating this huge commercial complex centered around an extention of the Champs Elysees axis. A huge pedestrain boulevard was created with a roads, a metro line (line 1), and stores below.
All the building in La Defense are very commercial looking and look somewhat random in their placement. Together the whole area looks like some utopian dream of what future cities will look like.

Bicycle riding in Crèteil

Bicycle riding in Crèteil, originally uploaded by Bejan.

Hey everyone! This is my 3rd day in Paris. Yesterday I went to a flee market and then we went to an Iranian BBQ.Today I'll be heading into central paris and revisiting all of the really touristy stuff in addition to the new architecture museum that they have here.