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Elbie Gimble
The Parisian Paradox!
Paris, France - The Parisian Paradox!
(Entries in alphabetical order)
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Arc de Triomphe: A massive and famous monument in Paris, France, standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. It was built by order of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 to honor the victories of the French armies. It's covered with sculptures depicting military triumphs and is a symbol of French national pride. Underneath it lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.
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Art Deco: A very popular style of art, design, and architecture that came out in the 1920s and lasted until the 1930s. It was known for its sleek, geometric shapes, rich colors, and decorative elements often inspired by ancient cultures, modern machinery, and exotic materials. This style appeared in everything from buildings and furniture to fashion and jewelry, representing luxury, glamour, and technological progress.
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Bois de Boulogne: A very large public park located on the western edge of Paris, France. Often called the "lungs of Paris," it's about two and a half times the size of New York City's Central Park. It was designed in the mid-19th century and includes lakes, waterfalls, gardens, and walking paths. It offers a vast natural escape from the busy city, popular for boating, cycling, and picnics.
Champs-de-Mars: A large public green space and park in Paris, France, stretching from the Eiffel Tower to the École Militaire. It's a popular spot for picnics, relaxing, and enjoying views of the Eiffel Tower. Historically, it has been used for military parades, public celebrations, and world's fair exhibitions, including the one for which the Eiffel Tower was built.
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Cloche Hats: Very fashionable style of women's hat in the 1920s. The word "cloche" is French for "bell," which describes their shape perfectly – they were close-fitting and bell-shaped, covering most of the wearer's forehead. They were often made of felt and decorated with simple ribbons or embroidery, becoming a symbol of the flapper era's fashion.
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Compagnie Générale Transatlantique: A famous French shipping company, often called "French Line" in English. It was founded in 1855 and became known for its luxurious ocean liners that traveled across the Atlantic Ocean, especially between France and North America. They operated some of the most beautiful and fastest ships of their time, offering elegant travel for many passengers, including famous people.
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Cravat: A type of necktie, worn by men for formal occasions. The term originally referred to a piece of fabric worn around the neck in the 17th century, but by the 19th and early 20th centuries, it had evolved into various styles of neckties, often made of fine silk or linen. They were a key part of formal menswear, showing elegance and status.
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Eiffel Tower: One of the most famous landmarks in the world, located in Paris, France. It's a huge iron tower designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World's Fair, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. At 1,083 feet tall (including its antenna), it was the tallest man-made structure in the world for many years and remains an iconic symbol of France and a marvel of engineering.
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Esplanade des Invalides: A large, open public green space in Paris, France, part of the Hôtel des Invalides complex. This complex was originally built as a home and hospital for disabled soldiers under King Louis XIV. Today, it houses various museums, including the Army Museum, and is where Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb is located. The Esplanade itself is a wide, tree-lined lawn often used for public events and as a pleasant place for a stroll.
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European Edible Dormouse: Latin name, Glis Glis. A small rodent, similar to a large mouse or small squirrel, found in parts of Europe. They are known for being very sleepy, spending a lot of time in hibernation, and for their bushy tails. Historically, in ancient Rome, these dormice were sometimes eaten as a delicacy, which is how they got the "edible" part of their name. They are mostly active at night and love to eat nuts and fruits.
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French State Railways Express Train (Etát): One of the major railway companies in France. In the 1920s, their express trains were known for being very fast and reliable, connecting major cities across the country. These trains often featured powerful steam locomotives and comfortable carriages, making long-distance travel efficient and enjoyable for passengers.
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Gare Saint-Lazare: One of the six large main train stations in Paris, France. It's a grand building made of glass and iron, first opened in 1837, making it one of the oldest railway stations in the world. It's famous not just for being a busy transportation hub but also for its beautiful architecture and for being a subject in many famous paintings by Impressionist artists like Claude Monet.
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Grand Palais: A huge and famous historic exhibition hall and museum complex in Paris, France. It was built for the 1900 Universal Exposition (another world's fair) and is known for its magnificent glass roof, ornate stone façade, and impressive size. Today, it hosts major art exhibitions, fashion shows, and other large events.
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Great Plains: A vast, mostly flat area of land in the middle of North America. It stretches across many states in the central United States, like Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, and goes up into parts of Canada. Historically, this region was home to huge herds of bison and was the land of many Native American tribes. Later, it became known for its rich farmland, where lots of wheat and other crops are grown, making it a very important farming area for both countries.
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Haute Couture: A French term that literally means "high sewing" or "high fashion." It refers to the creation of exclusive, custom-fitted clothing designed and made by hand for specific clients. These garments are known for their extremely high quality, detailed craftsmanship, and expensive materials. Paris is considered the global capital of haute couture, with certain fashion houses earning the right to be called "couture houses" by meeting strict standards set by the French government.
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International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts
(Paris World's Fair): (SEE Photos) A very important world's fair held in Paris, France, in 1925. Its main goal was to show off new ideas in art, design, and manufacturing after World War I. It was a huge event where countries displayed their latest styles, especially the Art Deco style, which became very popular because of this fair. The exhibition helped spread new design ideas around the world and showed how art could be part of everyday objects, not just paintings in a museum.
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Lacquerware: This efers to objects, often made of wood, that are covered with many layers of a special, shiny, hard varnish called lacquer. This technique, which originated in East Asia thousands of years ago, creates a very durable and beautiful finish. Lacquerware is often intricately decorated with painted designs, carvings, or inlays, and it's highly valued for its artistry and craftsmanship.
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La Havre: (SEE Map) A major port city located on the northwest coast of France, where the Seine River meets the English Channel. It has been an important gateway to France for centuries, especially for trade and passenger ships crossing the Atlantic. The city was heavily damaged during World War II but was rebuilt in a modern style, which is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique post-war architecture.
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Loom: A loom is a machine used to weave thread or yarn into fabric. Looms have been used for thousands of years, evolving from simple hand tools to complex, automated machines in factories. The invention of powered looms during the Industrial Revolution greatly changed how clothes and textiles were made, making production much faster and cheaper.
Louvre Museum: Located in Paris, France, it is the largest art museum in the world and a historic palace. It started as a medieval fortress but was transformed into a royal palace and then opened as a museum in 1793. It houses an incredible collection of art spanning thousands of years, including famous masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, making it one of the most visited museums globally.
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Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris): A famous medieval Catholic cathedral in Paris, France. Known for its beautiful French Gothic architecture, including its stained-glass windows, flying buttresses, and gargoyles, construction began in 1163. It has been a central part of French history and culture for centuries, though it suffered significant damage in a fire in 2019 and is currently being restored.
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Popular Mechanics: A magazine that started way back in 1902. It's known for explaining how machines work, new inventions, and science in a way that regular people can understand. Over the years, it has covered everything from cars and airplanes to space travel and computers, always aiming to inform and inspire people interested in technology and innovation.
Quoits: An old game that's a bit like horseshoes. Players throw rings, traditionally made of metal or rope, at a peg or pin stuck in the ground. The goal is to get your quoit to land over or closest to the peg. It’s a simple but fun game that has been played for many centuries and is still enjoyed today.
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Seine River: (SEE Map) A major river in France that flows through the heart of Paris. It's an essential waterway for the city, both historically and currently, for transportation, trade, and tourism. Many of Paris's most famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame, are located along its banks, and numerous beautiful bridges cross it.
Shuffleboard: A game that can be played on a long court on land or on the deck of a ship. Players use long sticks, called cues, to push flat discs towards a scoring area at the other end of the court. It's a game of skill and strategy, enjoyed by people of all ages, and it became a popular way for passengers to have fun on ocean voyages.
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Teak Wood: A very special type of wood that comes from tropical trees. It's famous for being extremely strong, durable, and resistant to water, rot, and insects. Because of these qualities, teak has been used for centuries to build ships, outdoor furniture, and other things that need to last a long time, even in harsh weather. Its natural oils protect it, giving it a long life without much maintenance.
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Waxing Gibbous: In astronomy, "waxing gibbous" describes a phase of the moon. After the moon is half-lit (first quarter), the lit part continues to grow larger each night. When it's more than half lit but not yet a full moon, it's called a waxing gibbous. "Waxing" means growing, and "gibbous" refers to its bulging, rounded shape. This phase happens in the days leading up to the full moon.
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Map of France
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Photo of Main Entrance & the Alexander III Bridge.
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Photo of fair from the hotel Les Invalides.
Another photo of the fair with the Grand Palais in the background.
Copyright © 2025 - Todd von Dölven - All rights reserved.
The information included in this work has been researched and verified to the best of my abilities and may possibly contain errors. It is purley my intent to interest young people and others in the subject matter, historical events, and scientific breakthroughs that these stories contain. Traditional internet searches as well as help from various AI sources have been used in my attempt to maintain accuracy. If any of this information is erroneous or incorrect, I sincerely apologize. If you see any corrections that should be made, please contact us via the chat feature of this site.
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