Engraved with “Arago” and directional markers, what are these bronze medallions embedded in the ground? These are part of Hommage à Arago. This artwork stretches over six miles in Paris. It marks the original Paris Meridian.
Hommage à Arago is a tribute to French astronomer François Arago. He lived in the 19th century. He helped formulate meridian measurements. The Dutch artist Jan Dibbets created this unique monument in 1994.
Before Greenwich became the prime meridian, Paris had its own. France gave it up when the meter was accepted as a universal measurement. This line was formalized in 1667. It starts at the Observatoire in the 14th arrondissement.
The Hommage à Arago consists of 135 bronze medallions. Each one is about eight inches in diameter. They are set into the pavement. Each medallion is stamped with “N” and “S”. These mark the north and south directions.
You will find these medallions in various locations. They appear on sidewalks and in parks. You can even spot them inside the Louvre museum. Searching for them is like a treasure hunt through Paris.
The medallions mark a line running from Porte de Montmartre to Cité Universitaire. This stretches across the city. The total distance spans 9.2 kilometers.
Sadly some medallions have disappeared. Roadworks, theft, and vandalism may be to blame. One empty space sits in front of Jardin du Luxembourg on rue Auguste Comte. However you can still find medallions inside the park.
There once was a statue of Arago. It stood in a small plaza where boulevard Arago crosses the meridian. This statue was melted down during World War II. It was used for armaments. Only an empty pedestal remains today. Hommage à Arago spreads his name across Paris. These small bronze markers pay homage to Arago’s legacy.
The Da Vinci Code novel called the Paris Meridian the Rose Line. The book features the medallions. They guide Robert Langdon along the meridian.
Let’s hope Hommage à Arago does not suffer the same fate as the statue. These medallions help us remember a great scientist and a pivotal moment in time. Look closely. You might just spot one beneath your feet. They connect us to history and science with every step.