Avenue de l'Observatoire, Residential street in Paris, France
Avenue de l'Observatoire is a wide residential street in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, running from the Palais du Luxembourg down to the Paris Observatory. Chestnut trees line both sides, and the central strip holds the Jardin des Grands Explorateurs, a garden with statues and a fountain.
Avenue de l'Observatoire was laid out in 1867 as part of the major transformation of Paris under Baron Haussmann, designed by engineer Gabriel Davioud. The goal was to create a direct and formal link between the Luxembourg gardens and the observatory to the south.
The Avenue de l'Observatoire follows the Paris meridian, an imaginary line that divides the city from north to south and runs directly through the observatory at the end of the street. Along the way, sculptures and fountains represent the rhythm of the day, including the Fontaine Carpeaux, which visitors can spot during a walk.
The street is easy to walk from end to end, and the central garden strip invites a slow stroll from north to south. Walking in both directions gives different views, as the perspective changes depending on which way you face.
At number 26, a building from 1863 was demolished to make room for student housing, while the neighboring building from 1960 was kept and fully restored. Today, two planted courtyards sit between the buildings, accessible through a small passage and a stone staircase.
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