III, 1. MAJESTY ON A HUMAN SCALE, FORGOTTEN GIFT OF KINGS

FRANCE'S 17TH-CENTURY KINGS USED URBAN DESIGN AND MONUMENTS TO EMPHASIZE THEIR GROWING POWER

 

France's first straight street leads to the Basilica of Saint-Denis (12th century) and royal mausoleum

Rue de Birague

Paris's first straight street leads to a statue of a king on horseback.

Claude Abron

The Grand  Axis symbolizes the infinite power of monarchy. The design appears throughout Paris. As well, many foreign capitals have adopted it to highlight their most important buildings or monuments.

Those innovations stem from a uniquely powerful monarchy and could not have been born elsewhere, yet they go unnoticed.

In brief

• A parade route changes course

• The milestones' meanings

• The royal imprint blossoms

• The curtain falls

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Next,
3.1.1. 
A parade route changes course