Post by parisianfields on Mar 15, 2011 19:18:13 GMT -5
The 3rd arrondissement is often overlooked, a sort of "poor cousin" of the Marais. It was only recently, when I was studying some photographs that my husband and I took a couple of years ago, that I put two and two together and figured out exactly what and where the "Temple" was and I began to understand a bit more about this part of the city.
The Temple was once a self-contained village built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century around a church outside the old city walls. There was a fortified tower in the complex. The site was eventually engulfed by the city, and the religious buildings were put to other uses. Its last major appearance in history is as the place where Louis XVI and his family were imprisoned before he, his wife, and his sister went to the guillotine.
Napoleon I ordered the demolition of the tower, and Napoleon III had the last few buildings on the site torn down. It became a clothes market, which closed some years ago. There are now plans to renovate the market buildings and create a community recreational centre on this historic site.
I spent a long time trying to square old Turgot plans and old maps with contemporary maps, and as far as I can figure out, the old tower occupied the area that is now the southeast part of the market. I think.
There was also some sort of oval building called the "Rotonde," built in 1788, which would have been there when the royal family was imprisoned, but I can't find out much about it (does anyone know about this building?).
I wrote up my tentative explorations on our blog, but I know there is a lot more to figure out about this area that is so rich in history. I would welcome ideas and suggestions.
parisianfields.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/the-queen-in-the-tower/
The Temple was once a self-contained village built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century around a church outside the old city walls. There was a fortified tower in the complex. The site was eventually engulfed by the city, and the religious buildings were put to other uses. Its last major appearance in history is as the place where Louis XVI and his family were imprisoned before he, his wife, and his sister went to the guillotine.
Napoleon I ordered the demolition of the tower, and Napoleon III had the last few buildings on the site torn down. It became a clothes market, which closed some years ago. There are now plans to renovate the market buildings and create a community recreational centre on this historic site.
I spent a long time trying to square old Turgot plans and old maps with contemporary maps, and as far as I can figure out, the old tower occupied the area that is now the southeast part of the market. I think.
There was also some sort of oval building called the "Rotonde," built in 1788, which would have been there when the royal family was imprisoned, but I can't find out much about it (does anyone know about this building?).
I wrote up my tentative explorations on our blog, but I know there is a lot more to figure out about this area that is so rich in history. I would welcome ideas and suggestions.
parisianfields.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/the-queen-in-the-tower/
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha