Axe majeur, Urban art installation in Cergy-Pontoise, France
Axe majeur is a monumental art installation in Cergy, France, that stretches over three kilometers. The route connects several architectural elements, including a white crescent, an observation tower, paths through gardens, rows of concrete columns, and a red footbridge over the Oise.
Construction began in 1980 as a joint project between Israeli artist Dani Karavan and Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. Completion took three decades as individual stations were built one after another.
The twelve stations along the route carry names such as Sky, Island or Tower and invite walkers to continue forward. Visitors follow a path that extends from the city to the river, passing through parks and open areas.
Saint-Christophe railway station in Cergy provides access to the installation, from where visitors continue on foot. The observation tower offers a wide view over the Île-de-France region and surrounding towns.
The entire axis runs in a straight line to the Champs de Mars in Paris, creating a spatial link between suburb and capital center. This alignment allows a clear line of sight to the Eiffel Tower on certain days.
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