New modern work of art for a modern art museum in the historical center of Paris

"Zinedine Zidane headbutt statue" - Adel Abdessemed

On this Tuesday, 25th of September 2012, a strange new piece of Art was installed on the square of the Pompidou center. If you get closer, you can recognize an event that football-soccer fans can't forget (but even if you are not one, you may know it also because it was widely related in the French or Italian media).

"Zinedine Zidane headbutt statue" at the George Pompidou Center - Adel Abdessemed

Some explanations => here.
The statue is huge, have a look below, just before its installation:

"Zinedine Zidane headbutt statue" on a truck before installation - Adel Abdessemed

Paris is an historic city, nevertheless a modern city, a city which regularly grows rich of new works of art, temporary or permanent. So, if you are use to walk (or run) in the city, you may be often surprised by new artistic appearances.
Have a walk in the district of Beaubourg for example and you'll discover how the city can be rich in history and in modernity.

Modern art museum George Pompidou Center (also named "Beaubourg center" or "Beaubourg" as the district name)

The Pompidou Center, for instance, created in 1977, was the subject of a big controversy. Its detractors even said that it was the best place to see Paris, because it was the only spot where you can't see the Pompidou Center... (actually, it is a very nice viewpoint!).

In any case, the creation of the museum entailed an important artistic revival of the district.
See, very near, the "Niki de Saint-Phalle" fountain which pays tribute to the different works of the composer Stravinsky.

Stravinsky fountain or Automaton fountain 1983 - Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely

Near the fountain, see a recent huge street-art creation:

"Chuuuttt !!!" ("Huuusssh") 2011 - Street art - Jef Aerosol

Close to the Pompidou center, we can admire old creations, as the Saint-Jacques tower, which was modern at the time!

"Saint-Jacques de la Boucherie" tower

If you in Paris in October, you will probably be amazed by the modern art outdoor creations, temporary sculptures or other kind or artistic expressions linked to the FIAC.
Enjoy!

Conciergerie - The first public clock

The tower of the Clock

If you visit Paris, do visit the Conciergerie.

We had to bear giant advertisements since 2011, big commercial images spoiling the river Seine. I guess there could be other ways to finance the restoration than allowing these huge advertising hoardings:

At least, it is now completely renovated. The result is beautiful.
The clock is now visible in all its beauty.
It was the first public clock being installed around 1370. This version dates from 1535.
The renovation seems to have restored the clock in a state more compliant with the original clock.

Gilts and paintings are redone. The most considerable change is the background restored in blue with fleur-de-lis (lily flowers).

The Clock

Go check, the clock is on time!

Paris Plages

Arc  of Triumph sunset - August 2nd 2012

Well, as said in the previous post, yesterday was really the best day of the year to see the sun "going trough" the Arc of Triumph but unfortunately the sky was very cloudy as you can see on the picture above...
Next August? Meanwhile, you can have a look of what happens here when the sky is without clouds...

August (and July) are also the time to go to "Paris Plages". "Paris Plages"?

Paris Plages 2012

Paris Plages 2012

Paris Plages 2012

Paris Plages 2011

Paris Plages 2011

Yes, sand beaches in Paris!

"Paris Plages" starts end of July and finishes end of August.
During the other periods, the banks are used by cars. Impossible to remark such details as below (unless you are in a traffic jam or running the Paris Marathon, well, not too fast...).

See also the official site here.
Welcome to "Paris Plages"!