Is it a gate or is it a triumphal arch? That’s the question that often comes up here at the Quartier de la Porte-Saint-Martin. The Quartier de la Porte-Saint-Martin is a historic place. It’s named after a very special monument. The monument is the Porte Saint-Martin, of course. You’re standing right in front of it. Now, you might be thinking, “wait a minute, it looks like an arch, not a gate.” And you wouldn’t be wrong! You see, the Porte Saint-Martin replaced an older, actual gate that was part of the city walls. King Louis XIV, the Sun King himself, wanted something grander. Something that screamed victory. So in 1674, this imposing arch was built to commemorate his victories on the Rhine and in Franche-Comté. Take a closer look at the arch. Notice the incredible detail, the carvings depicting Louis XIV’s triumphs. It’s not just a monument. It’s a story carved in stone.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to