4.7.1. THE GRAND AXIS AS MODEL

LOUIS XIV CREATES THE STRAIGHT LINE THAT MERGES WITH THE HORIZON AS A SYMBOL OF ENDLESS MIGHT

Claude Abron

Photo taken from the top of the Grand Arch, far to the west

It harks back to the space that leads to the royal tombs:

Foreign cities adopt the model later, but only in capitals, and only to underscore the State:

In Washington, the point of focus emphasizes State grandeur

In New York, Fifth Avenue has no point of focus.

New York's three points of focus  — the Flatiron building, the MetLife building and the Public Library seen from W. 42nd Street —  are built on a layout that is practical only. 

Paris's unique grandeur 

comes from the innumerable streets

that lead the eye to a target

and hark back to the kings.

*      *     *

Next,
4.7.2. 

Perspectives and points of focus, 

keys to the city's grandeur