“A crossroads between arrondissements,” you might overhear a Parisian say, “but so much more than that.” They’d be talking about Place du Colonel Fabien, a square that straddles the 10th and 19th arrondissements of Paris. Don’t let its modern appearance fool you, this place echoes with centuries of history. Before it bore the name of Colonel Fabien, a Resistance hero, it was known as “Place du Combat”. But this ‘combat’ wasn’t the stuff of revolutions or wars. Instead, from 1778 onwards, this square hosted a different kind of spectacle: animal fights. Imagine the cacophony as Parisians cheered on dogs pitted against bulls, boars, even bears! Thankfully, this brutal practice was outlawed in 1883. Today, Place du Colonel Fabien is dominated by the headquarters of the French Communist Party, a striking building designed by the renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. Look closely – it’s a fascinating blend of curves and angles, a testament to Niemeyer’s unique vision. The square stands as a silent witness to the changing face of Paris, from public executions at the nearby Gibbet of Montfaucon to the political fervor of the Communist Party.
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