Squares, Parks, Etc.—The most not able public squares or places are the ated the gardens of the Tuileries, which are adorned with numerous statues and fountains; the gardens of the Luxem bourg, in which are fine conservatories of rare plants; the Jardin des Plantes, in which are the zoological gardens, hot houses, museums, laboratories, etc., which have made this scientific institution famous; the Buttes-Chaumont Gardens, in which an extensive old quarry has been turned to good account in enhanc ing the beauty of the situation; the Parc Monceaux; and the Champs Elysees, the latter being a favorite holiday resort of all classes. But the most extensive parks are outside the city. Of these the Bois de Boulogne, on the W., covers an area of 2,150 acres, gives an extensive view toward St. Cloud and Mont Va lerien, comprises the race courses of Longchamps and Auteuil, and in it are situated lakes, an aquarium, conserva tories, etc. The Bois de Vincennes, on the E., even larger, is similarly adorned with artificial lakes and streams, and its high plateau offers a fine view over the surrounding country. The most cele brated and extensive cemetery in Paris is Pere la Chaise (106% acres), finely situ ated and having many important monu ments. The Catacombs are ancient quarries which extend under a portion of the S. part of the city, and in them are deposited the bones removed from old cemeteries now built over.
Churches.—Of the churches of Paris the most celebrated is the cathedral of Notre Dame, situated on one of the is lands of the Seine, called the Ile de la Cite. It is a vast cruciform structure, with a lofty W. front, flanked by two square towers, the walls sustained by many flying buttresses, and the E. end octagonal. The whole length of the church is 426 feet, its breadth 164 feet. The foundation of Notre Dame belongs to the 6th century; the present edifice dates from 1163; but was restored in 1845. The interior decorations are all modern. The church of La Madeleine, a modern structure in the style of a great Roman temple, entirely surrounded by massive Corinthian columns, stands on an elevated basement fronting the N. end of the Rue Royale; the church of St. Genevieve, built about the close of the 18th century, was after its completion set apart, under the title of the Pan theon, as the burying place of illustrious Frenchmen; St. Eustache (1532-1637), a strange mixture of degenerate Gothic and Renaissance architecture; St. Ger main I'Auxerrois, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries; St. Gervais; St. Roch; St. Sulpice; Notre Dame de Lo rette; St. Vincent de Paul; etc. On the very summit of Montmartre is the church of the Sacred Heart, a vast structure in medieval style, estimated to cost $4,800, 000. The Protestant churches are the Oratoire and Visitation, and chapels be longing to English, Scotch, and Ameri can denominations. There are also a Greek chapel and several synagogues.
Palaces and Public Buildings.—Not able among the public buildings of Paris are its palaces. The Louvre, a great series of buildings within which are two large courts, is now devoted to a museum which comprises splendid collections of sculpture, paintings, engravings, bronzes, pottery, Egyptian and Assyrian antiqui ties, etc. (see LOUVRE) ; the palace of the Tuileries, the main front of which was destroyed in 1871 by the Commun ists, has since been restored, with the exception of its principal fagade, the ruins of which have been removed and its site converted into a garden; the Palais du Luxembourg, on the S. side of the river, has very extensive gardens attached to it, and contains the Mils& du Luxembourg, appropriated to the works of modern French artists; the Palais Royal is a famed resort; the Palais de l'Elysee, situated on the Rue St. Honore, with a large garden, is now the residence of the President of the Republic; the Palais du Corps Legislatif, or Chambre des Deputes, is the building in which the Chamber of Deputies meets; the Palais de l'Industrie, built for the first international exhibition in 1855, is used for the annual salon of modern paintings, etc. The City Hall is situated in the Place de PHOtel de Ville, formerly Place de Greve, on the right bank of the river. It was destroyed by the Com munists in 1871, but has now been re erected on the same site with even greater magnificence. It • is a very rich example of Renaissance architecture. The Hotel des Invalides, built in 1670, with a lofty dome, is now used as a retreat for disabled soldiers and is cap able of accommodating 5,000. It con tains the burial place of the first Na poleon. The Court House is an irregular mass of buildings occupying the greater part of the W. extremity of the Ile de la Cite. Opposite the Court House is the Tribunal de Commerce, a quadrangular building inclosing a large court roofed with glass. The Mint (Hotel des Mon naies) fronts the Quai Conti, on the S. side of the Seine, and contains an im mense collection of coins and medals. The other principal government buildings are the Treasury (Hotel des Finances), in the Rue de Rivoli; the Record Office (Hotel des Archives Nationales). The Exchange (La Bourse) was completed in 1826; it is in the form of a parallelo gram, 212 feet by 126 feet, surrounded by a range of 66 columns. A distinctive feature are the extensive markets, among the most important of which are the Halles Centrales, where fish, poultry, butcher meat and garden produce are sold. A notable and unique structure is the Eiffel Tower, built in connection with the Paris Exhibition of 1889, and which is to have a permanent existence. It is a structure of iron lattice-work, 984 feet high, and having three stages or plat forms. It is as yet the highest building in the world.