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Tour Saint-Jacques

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The Tour Saint-Jacques in Paris is a must-see for any traveler seeking a unique and historical experience. This Gothic-style tower, built in the 16th century, stands tall at 52 meters and offers breathtaking views of the city. Visitors can climb the 300 steps to the top, where they will be rewarded with panoramic views of Paris and its many landmarks. The tower’s intricate details and stunning architecture make it a true gem of Parisian history. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the Tour Saint-Jacques and its stunning views on your next trip to Paris .

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Tour Saint-Jacques Overview

Visitor experience and accessibility, climbing the tower, park and surroundings, facilities and amenities, visitor information, tour scheduling and reservations, historical context and significance, saint-jacques-de-la-boucherie church, the french revolution impact, gothic architecture and restoration, scientific contributions of blaise pascal, historical figures, cultural and social impact, pilgrimage and religious importance, role in parisian urban development, art and mythology representations, literature and popular media references, tour saint-jacques in reviews and recommendations, user feedback and ratings, comparisons to other parisian landmarks, noteworthy first-time visitor tips, trust and safety considerations.

Tour Saint-Jacques stands as a solitary Gothic tower in Paris’s bustling 4th arrondissement. Initially part of the larger Eglise Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie , a 16th-century church demolished during the French Revolution, this landmark now serves as a historical beacon amidst the city’s modern vibrance. Your journey to this remarkable site begins near Châtelet , along the Rue de Rivoli .

The tower boasts intricately crafted stone architecture, revealing the grandeur of the medieval period and the skillfulness of its craftsmen. As you gaze upon Saint Jacques Tower, consider the alterations overseen by Baron Haussmann, whose visions for Paris led to the tower’s isolation from its original church body. The landmark, not merely an architectural marvel, holds significant historical relevance, standing tall as a testament to the city’s resilience.

Surrounded by a pleasant garden, the tower is particularly noticeable near the Hôtel de Ville . Despite the loss of the Eglise Saint Jacque De La Boucherie, the remaining tower retains the Gothic monument’s essence, a commanding example of the flamboyant Gothic style imbued with Parisian historical significance.

• Address: Paris, 4th arrondissement
• Closest Metro: Châtelet

When visiting, remember that Tour Saint-Jacques opens seasonally for guided tours, inviting you to climb the edifice for sweeping views of Paris. As you ascend, the stonework and the careful details in the tower’s design remind you of the dedication to artistry that defines historical French architecture.

Tour Saint-Jacques is an architectural gem nestled in the heart of Paris, offering a rich blend of heritage and scenery. Ensuring a rewarding visit, this section provides essential details on what to expect from climbing the tower to planning your visit.

The journey to the top of Tour Saint-Jacques is a spectacle in itself. You should be prepared for a strenuous climb , as the tower features over 300 steps with no elevator. However, your exertion is rewarded with stunning views of Paris and an up-close encounter with the tower’s famed gargoyles . Keep in mind that the climb may not be suitable for those with mobility issues or a fear of heights.

Surrounding Tour Saint-Jacques is a charming park , Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques, where the atmosphere is relaxed, and the square’s cleanliness is well-maintained. Take a stroll or rest on a bench and admire the tower’s external statues and architecture, or enjoy the Seine River nearby. The park often has a festive atmosphere in the summer and includes a playground for children.

Basic facilities are provided for visitors. Toilets are available and are typically kept clean . However, there are no extensive amenities given the tower’s historical nature, so plan accordingly. For those interested, brochures may be available to enrich your visit with knowledge about the site’s history and architecture.

Essential location information is crucial for a hassle-free experience. Tour Saint-Jacques is situated in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. An English brochure detailing the tower’s history is a helpful resource if available during your visit, and you can look for informative signs around the park.

To visit the tower’s interior or bell tower, reservations are typically required. It’s important to book in advance, as the tours are conducted in small groups to preserve the site’s integrity. The tower is open for guided tours from Friday to Sunday . Always check the latest schedule and make reservations beforehand to secure your spot.

As you trace the cobbled streets of Paris, the Tour Saint-Jacques stands as a fascinating palimpsest of history, exhibiting layers of significance from religious, revolutionary, and scientific narratives.

Once part of the larger Church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, the tower is the sole survivor of the Gothic structure dating back to 1523 . This church was an important meeting point for pilgrims on the Way of St. James, heading toward Spain.

Amid the turmoil of the French Revolution , the church was dismantled in 1797 , a decision emblematic of the era’s radical urban renewal. The tower withstood the destructive wave of revolutionary fervor, emerging as a solitary testament to Paris’s medieval past.

Exhibiting the flamboyant Gothic style, the tower underwent extensive renovation concluded in 2009 . The intricate stone tracery and breathtaking spire exemplify the architectural brilliance of the period under King Francis I.

Engraved in history, the tower is where Blaise Pascal conducted atmospheric pressure experiments in 1648 . His initiatives were foundational to the scientific community and commemorated with a statue of the mathematician positioned at the tower’s base.

Several historical figures are interwoven with the tower’s narrative. Notably, Nicolas Flamel, a famed alchemist, lived nearby, cementing the tower’s connection to the rich tapestry of Parisian legends and lore.

Tour Saint-Jacques, a monumental gothic tower in the heart of Paris, is more than a mere landmark. It stands as a testament to the city’s deep-seated religious traditions, urban metamorphosis, artistic inspirations, and its ubiquitous presence in literature and media. Each brick and sculpture tells a story, contributing to the rich cultural and social panorama of France’s capital.

Your journey through Paris is not complete without understanding Tour Saint-Jacques’ role as a beacon for pilgrims. This solitary tower was once part of the larger Église Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie and stood as a starting point for the Via Turonensis , one of the four main pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela . Revered as the symbol of Saint James the Greater , patron saint of pilgrims, it continues to resonate with those retracing the steps of countless voyagers before them.

Witness the tower’s significance in Paris’ cityscape evolution, particularly during Baron Haussmann’s sweeping 19th-century urban renewal. Embedded in the fabric of the 4th arrondissement , the tower survived Haussmann’s drastic renovations, which radically transformed the Châtelet area and broader city contours. Today, it punctuates the skyline, a steadfast reminder of a Paris once medieval, amidst the buzz of its modern-day avenues and public squares .

Adorned with statues of the Four Evangelists — the man, lion, eagle, and ox — and intricate gargoyles, Tour Saint-Jacques is a treasure trove of gothic art. Each statue stands as an allegory, with Saint Jacques le Majeur himself keeping watch from the base. These figures are not just decorative; they are steeped in the city’s collective memory, embodying Parisian artistic prowess and the mythology that underpins French culture.

As you peel through layers of Parisian lore, you find Tour Saint-Jacques deeply engraved in literature and popular culture. It’s woven into tales of the alchemist Nicolas Flamel and appears in various fictional works that traverse the centuries. Its cinematic silhouette adorns film and television, offering a backdrop that immediately announces “Paris” to viewers worldwide, while in literature, it serves as the silent witness to narratives dense with French ambiance.

As you navigate the wealth of traveler insights and local expertise, a narrative emerges, revealing Tour Saint-Jacques as a storied jewel among Parisian landmarks. The following insights and tips aim to enhance your visit and understanding of this Gothic treasure nestled in the heart of the 4th arrondissement.

Tripadvisor rates Tour Saint-Jacques highly, with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 450 reviews. Visitors frequently mention the landmark’s historical significance and stunning panoramic views. Here’s a snapshot of visitor sentiments:

• “A must-see for any traveler seeking a unique and historical experience in Paris .”
• Stunning views of the city, including landmarks like Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower .

Tour Saint-Jacques stands as a unique monument, distinct even within a city of renowned landmarks. Visitors often compare the intimate and intricate experience of Tour Saint-Jacques favorably to the vastness of the Eiffel Tower or the splendor of Notre Dame . Its proximity to the Seine River adds to its charm and underlines its historical significance in French heritage.

First-time visitors should note that the tower is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM , with last entry allowing enough time to fully enjoy the experience. Important tips include:

• Allocate sufficient time for the climb to enjoy the observation deck.
• Check weather conditions to ensure clarity for the best views of Paris .

The site upholds industry-leading trust & safety standards , ensuring a secure visit. Detailed reviews often commend the well-maintained structure and the care taken to provide information on the landmark’s history, making for an enriching French cultural experience.

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How to Visit Châtelet’s Tour Saint-Jacques in Paris

If you want to begin your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, begin at Châtelet and the Tour Saint-Jacques in Paris. Or skip the pilgrimage and let MagmaCultura help you discover the fabulous history of the tower and its uses through the centuries. A specialized guide leads you to one of the most beautiful, panoramic views of Paris! Along the journey up 300 steps, you will also visit a room with tower decoration fragments and a meteorology room that was in use until 2000.

MagmaCultura works with the City of Paris for the ticketing and guided tours. The Tower is open to visitors every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from the second weekend in June until the second weekend in November, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For group visits, school visits or visits in languages other than those offered online , write to [email protected] . For the English tour at 1 p.m., use the contact email address to request specific dates and times. In September, October and November a minimum of two per weekend are planned depending on the availability of the guides. The French tours run every hour between 10 a.m. and 6 pm.

To be sure of going up in the tower, reservations should be made online www.toursaintjacques.fr .  Tickets are for timed entry. There is a ticket kiosk at the foot of the Tour Saint-Jacques.  Full price is 12 euros and reduced price is 10 euros. The reduced price (for visitors under 18 and students) includes admission and the g uided tour. The tour lasts one hour. Access restrictions: People suffering from claustrophobia and vertigo. People with walking difficulties or heart problems, with visual, hearig or physical disabilities. You must be over 10 years old.

MagmaCultura agency’s tour retraces the history of this eleventh century vestige on the Right Bank ( Rive Droite ). The former bell tower of the Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie church has dominated the landscape of the Right Bank of the Seine for five centuries. The church was sold during the French Revolution and only the tower remains. Prior to the City of Paris’s purchase of the tower in 1836, it was  a bomb-making facility. The city turned it into an ornamental tower surrounded by a garden, which remains today.

More information from the City of Paris

City of Paris events Tour Saint-Jacques 

City of Paris Discover the view from the Tour Saint-Jacques  

A Little History Before You Go

I would highly recommend reading the history of the area before you take the tour. Read about the Grand Châtelet and Grand Boucherie (in French so needs a translation). Because of the smell, this area was outside the city walls. The butchers and fish mongers worked and cleaned and sold the meat and fish. The Seine was so close they could conveniently jettison the carcasses and innards to float away. This area was so filthy and unhygienic! What a difference a couple of centuries makes.

The church, Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, originally finished in 1523, was dismantled stone-by-stone in 1793 and only the clock tower was allowed to remain. The tower was saved when a private individual persuaded the revolutionaries to save this unique piece of their heritage and history. They agreed as long as it was transferred into secular hands and out of the church’s possession.

The City of Paris bought and restored the tower of the former church, Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, in 1836. It was renovated in 1858 to not look like a church bell tower.  The tower survived the Haussmannien period and became an ornament along the public thoroughfare of rue de Rivoli.

Wanting to have green spaces as in London, a park was made around the tower and a facing street was named in honor of Queen Victoria coinciding with her Paris visit. The tower of Saint-Jacques was used as a meteorological observatory from 1895 to 2000. For anyone that visited Paris after 2001, you would have seen the tower engulfed in scaffolding. The renovations were so extensive to match stone fragments and reinforce the foundation that work could not begin until 2006 and lasted until its reopening in 2013.

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Tour Saint-Jacques: Paris’ Secret Stairway to Heaven

In bustling Châtelet, surrounded by the paths of tourists and locals alike, stands the Tour Saint-Jacques (Saint-Jacques Tower). Surprisingly, despite its towering silhouette, many remain unaware not only of its rich history, which includes a connection to the alchemist Nicolas Flamel, but also, of the simple fact that it’s open for visits .

On a bright summer day, I had the pleasure of ascending this hidden stairway to heaven, and the experience was nothing short of breathtaking. Its central position offers an unparalleled 360-degree view over the entirety of Paris, making it an exceptional vantage point. More interestingly, beyond its 300 steps, the tower gave me the opportunity to delve into the story of a legendary Parisian figure (one that Harry Potter fans certainly know): Nicolas Flamel, the most famous of alchemists.

Tour Saint-Jacques: an Architectural Curiousity

The Tour Saint-Jacques is often overlooked by tourists and Parisians alike. It seems to have been standing there as long as the city itself, often eclipsed by other central Paris monuments like the Louvre, Bourse du Commerce, and even Les Halles. Yet, travelers who have the curiosity to book a visit to the tower will uncover with their guides a treasure trove of architectural anecdotes shedding light on Paris’s history.

The tower is a unique example of Flamboyant Gothic architecture in the center of Paris. Reconstructed in the 16th century, its design somewhat contradicts the architectural trends of its era. While many were leaning towards inspirations from Antiquity at the time, the tower held onto its Gothic roots, showcasing either a conservative choice or respect for the architectural legacy of the church.

Indeed, the tower is the only remnant of a church, the original Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie (Saint Jacques of the Butchery), owing its name and function to the foundation of a chapel by the Confederation of Butchers in the 12th century. The main body of the church disappeared towards the end of the 18th century when it was destroyed, and its stones sold.

The Gothic style was preserved by architect Theodore Ballu, who led the restoration of the tower in 1855. He employed many sculptors to restore the tower’s ancient prestige, notably through intricate alcoves sheltering statues of saints but mostly through the gargoyles and chimeras jutting from the walls.

I’ve always found these monsters fascinating. They are supposed to symbolize the evil contained in temptation and our own unsatisfied human desires, embodied by monstrosities and thus left outside of the church. Throughout your visit, you’ll have the chance to see some of their original molds inside the tower, kept as tokens of the tower’s restoration, but also the real ones up close on the roof of the tower.

The science behind the Tour Saint Jacques

Although Theodore Ballu was quite a figure in his time, his name is not the most famous attached to the Tour Saint-Jacques. The tower has also been a hub for scientific explorations. The famous French mathematician, Blaise Pascal, is said to have once used this very site for his experiments. That’s why a statue of him stands on the pedestal at the bottom of the tower. It is said that he used the site to conduct tests proving the existence of the void (admittedly, I’m not well-informed on this experiment, so I’ll leave you to do your own research on this one!).

When you ascend the tower during your guided tour, you’ll also discover what remains of an old weather forecast station used until the 1990s as an annex of the Montsouris station. Perched 25 meters above the ground in a room of about 30 square meters, this space resembles a movie set. With old bottles of chemicals left on abandoned shelves, this surprisingly modern platform serves as a reminder of the tower’s multifaceted history, bridging the past with the present in an unexpected way!

Nicolas Flamel & Tour Saint-Jacques: The Alchemist’s Connection

Another intriguing facet of Tour Saint-Jacques is its stained-glass windows connected to Nicolas Flamel. Known as a scribe and often associated with alchemical legends, his association with the tower brings a mystical touch to its history. But what does the alchemist really have to do with the tower?

Nicolas Flamel began his career in Paris as a copyist and public writer in a small shop adjacent to the church of Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie. His career, marriage to Pernelle, a well-off widow, and his real estate speculations amassed him a comfortable fortune. He dedicated his money to charitable works, among which the construction of the portal of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, hence the initials on the edifice.

His fortune, amassed during challenging times (following the Black Plague and amidst the context of the Hundred Years’ War), was amplified by rumors, leading to the myth that made him an alchemist who had succeeded in the quest for the Philosopher’s Stone, capable of transmuting metals into gold. This title of alchemist was acquired partly by chance, rumors, and the phenomenon of pseudepigrapha (falsely attributed works or texts whose claimed author is not the real author). In reality – and to the disappointment of those, including myself, who wish to believe he was a real sorcerer – the most famous “alchemist” never actually practiced alchemy.

Nevertheless, Flamel did live in the area and contributed to the construction of the Tour Saint-Jacques. His official house (“Maison de Nicolas Flamel”), which he commissioned (but may never have lived in, yet another myth around his character), and the street named after him, are located just a stone’s throw away. The legend lives on, entwining his story with the history of this remarkable tower.

How to visit the Tour Saint-Jacques: practical information

When to visit the Tour Saint-Jacques?

The tour Saint-Jacques is open for visits from May to November, but it’s generally better to visit on days with clear skies, to enjoy the panoramic view offered from the top. The visit lasts about an hour and it is recommended to wear good shoes since you’re going to ascend about 300 steps. Unfortunately, this is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.

How to book your tickets to Tour Saint-Jacques?

It’s really recommended to book in advance as only small groups are allowed. You can book your tickets through the website: http://boutique.toursaintjacques.fr/ French-speaking readers might enjoy this article about 7 things you did not know about the Tour Saint-Jacques .

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A climb to the top of the Tour Saint-Jacques, Paris

Last Updated:  11 August 2022

Only a few people have been able to climb the  Tour Saint-Jacques , a single tower that rises in the centre of Paris . Many don’t even notice the monument as their paths lead them straight to famous landmarks in the vicinity: Notre-Dame , Sainte-Chapelle , the banks of River Seine … and the shopping precinct of rue de Rivoli. Here is a selection of photos taken during our ascent. At the end of the article, I’ll tell you how you can plan your ascent to the tower and enjoy breathtaking views over Paris!

What about Tour Saint-Jacques? 

Bearing witness to the past of the Right Bank, the Saint-Jacques Tower is a Parisian monument that cannot be overlooked. Since its full restoration in the 2000s, the former bell tower of a church which no longer exists has been opened to the public by its owner, the Municipality of Paris. We booked in advance and came to visit the inside and the top of the tower yesterday.

Situated in the neighbourhood of  Châtelet  in the  4th arrondissement of Paris, the curious Saint-Jacques Tower stands alone, surrounded by the trees and lawns of the Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques.

From the public garden, the Flamboyant Gothic features of the tower are clearly visible, particularly at the top of the tower:

To the top of the Tour Saint-Jacques

Please note! This account dates back to our last ascent to the tower in 2015. Since then, a few things have changed (a different tour agency, the great fire of Notre-Dame, etc.), which explained you might have only a slightly different experience.

We started our guided tour of the tower at the west side gate, where the friendly guide welcomed us. Around 12 people joined the group, and the visit started at 10 am at the base of the tower for a historical presentation of the tower.

By the statue of Blaise Pascal , the tour guide explained the troubled past of the former church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie and the destiny of its bell tower, which was saved from demolition during the French Revolution. Now we are ready for the ascent of 300 steps!

Following the presentation, we climbed a short flight of spiral stairs to reach the first floor. Inside were artefacts left by the craftsmen who participated in the recent restoration. The tour guide explained the phases of restoration from the 19th century to the 2000s.

The 19th-century restoration

The 19th-century restoration programme took place at a time when Gothic architecture was rediscovered.

Under the auspices of writers (Victor Hugo) and with architects’ passion, many Gothic churches and monuments were restored.

Viollet-le-Duc is famous for its work on Carcassonne , Pierrefonds and notably Notre-Dame Cathedral , where he added fantastic creatures made of stone: the chimeras.

Tour Saint-Jacques was no exception to the rule, and many additions were made when restoring the site. An example of this is the beautiful siren (see photo below) added in the 19th century to the tower’s façade, knowing that sirens were not at all fantastic creatures depicted in the Middle Ages!

The location of the former bells

The second flight of stairs of approximately 80 steps led us to another fascinating floor where the ceiling is the actual top of the tower. The tower housed a carillon with 12 bells when it was the bell tower of the church. It was one of the finest in Paris after that of Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Reaching the platform

The longest climb finally got us to the tower’s summit at 60 metres high, where the group discovered one of the most beautiful views of Paris. For our tour guide, it is the most stunning view due to the central position of the tower: a 360-degree view makes the monuments and landmarks of Paris so close and offers unexpected perspectives.

With a good lens, the Eiffel Tower reveals its iron laces. In the forefront rises the neo-Gothic basilica of Sainte-Clotilde :

View of the Île de la Cité in the forefront and the Left Bank in the background. You can spot several monuments: the Tribunal de Commerce, the Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle, the Saint-Sulpice and Saint-Germain-des-Prés churches, the Montparnasse Tower and the Panthéon (under restoration):

The long façade of the Conciergerie on the Île de la Cité with the neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés behind it. You can see the dark skyscraper of Montparnasse Tower in the background:

A gargoyle overlooking the first arrondissement of Paris:

The modern structure of the Pompidou Centre and the Gothic church of Saint-Merri in the forefront:

The best place to view Haussmann’s work

A stunning view reveals the work of Baron Haussmann in the mid-1850: boulevard de Sébastopol leading to the Gare du Nord. The shady street marks the boundary between Paris’s 1st (left) and 4th (right) arrondissements. To the left, the neighbourhood of Les Halles (with the new canopy and Saint-Eustache church) and the hill of Montmartre:  

To the left: the perspective of rue de Rivoli leading up to the Place de la Concorde. You can see the CBD of La Défense in the background.

To the right: the district of Les Halles with Saint-Eustache church and the hill of Montmartre.

A closer look at the perspective of rue de Rivoli created by Baron Haussmann in the mid-1850s:

A stunning view of the Historical Axis of Paris (la Voie Triomphale). From the Louvre, the axis runs through the Tuileries Garden, the Place de la Concorde (see the Luxor Obelisk), the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Grande-Arche de la Défense (under restoration in 2015):

The Musée d’Orsay and the banks of River Seine:

The Pont des Arts without the love-locks! In 2015 the City of Paris replaced the locks with temporary pinkish deck rails before the installation of new transparent panels:

The best place to see the landmarks of Paris

Two domes in the same picture: the small dome of the Institut de France and the golden dome of Les Invalides:

In the forefront is the dome of the Bourse du Commerce (1st arrondissement) and the massive complex of Opéra Garnier in the background:

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica standing atop the hill of Montmartre:

A closer look at the church of Saint-Eustache, one of Paris’ most beautiful churches:

The Rue de Rivoli and Rue Saint-Antoine looking eastwards (4th arrondissement):

The Romanesque bell tower of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of the oldest churches in Paris:

 The Île Saint-Louis and its romantic quays:  

A closer look at the Gothic features of the Palace of Justice with the towers of the Conciergerie and the Sainte-Chapelle:

Saint-Sulpice (6th arrondissement), Paris’ second biggest church after Notre-Dame cathedral:

The trees of boulevard Saint-Michel, marking the boundary between the 5th (left) and 6th (right) arrondissements:

The Panthéon and its impressively tall crane (2015-2016 restoration):

The Fontaine du Palmier (Palm tree fountain) overlooks the Place du Châtelet and the banks of the River Seine:

How to book the climb!

To visit the monument, book online here .

Fees: Adult: 12 euros, Concession: 10 euros.

Please note:

• The climb is not accessible to children under ten years old.
• The ascent can be difficult as it takes place through a long narrow spiral staircase.
• Therefore, it is best to be in (very) good physical condition and not be prone to dizziness or claustrophobia.

Opening times (2022)

• From Friday 10 June to Sunday 13 November 2022
• Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
• From 10 am to 6 pm.

The guided tour proposed by the MagmaCultura agency retraces the history of the former bell tower of the Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie church, which has dominated the landscape of the right bank of the Seine for five centuries.

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About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

Like it? Leave a comment!

I finally timed my 10th visit to Paris correctly and was able to do the tower tour in September ‘21. Five of us were guided by two very pleasant and knowledgeable young folks who seemed to truly enjoy their work. I’ve been to just about all of the “high” points from which to view the city, and the Tour Saint-Jacques is right there near the top. You’re high enough to see a lot, but not so high that you lose perspective of the details. The climb, if you are healthy enough, is well worth the effort! 🤙🏽

Thank you, Greg for telling us about your visit (and climb!) to the Tour Saint-Jacques!

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Tour saint Jacques

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Tour saint Jacques Crédit photo : Flickr

La Tour Saint Jacques se situe en plein coeur de Paris, dans le 4ème arrondissement, non loin de la Mairie de Paris, du Louvre ou encore de Notre Dame . Cette tour de style gothique flamboyant se trouve actuellement dans un petit parc, à l'intersection des rues de Rivoli et Nicolas Flamel. La tour Saint-Jacques a été construite au XVIe siècle, plus précisément entre 1509 et 1523, comme partie d'une église dédiée à Saint Jacques le Majeur, le saint patron des pèlerins. Cette église connue sous le nom de l' église Saint Jacques de la boucherie était le point de départ pour le pèlerinage des Chrétiens qui allaient à Compostelle en Espagne. La tour était utilisée pour guider les pèlerins, car elle était, avec ses 54 mètres de hauteur, l'un des plus hauts points de Paris à l'époque. Au fil du temps, l'église a subi de nombreux changements et a finalement été démolie en 1797, pendant la Révolution française. La tour est la seule partie de l'église à échapper à la démolition. On raconte que la tour Saint-Jacques à Paris a survécu à la démolition en grande partie parce qu'elle était utilisée comme observatoire météorologique par l'Académie des sciences au 18e siècle. Mais cette relation à la science était plus profonde. En effet, en 1745, l'Académie a installé un instrument appelé "thermomètre à mercure" à l'intérieur de la tour pour mesurer la température de l'air. Cet instrument était le premier du genre à être utilisé en France pour mesurer la température. Plus tard, en 1774, Blaise Pascal, un scientifique français célèbre pour ses travaux en mathématiques et en physique, a effectué des expériences sur la pression atmosphérique à la Tour Saint-Jacques. Il a utilisé un baromètre pour mesurer la pression de l'air à différents niveaux de la tour, en montant et descendant l'escalier en colimaçon de la tour pour mesurer les changements de pression. Les travaux de Pascal sur la pression atmosphérique ont été essentiels pour la compréhension de la météorologie. Ils ont notamment conduit à des avancées dans d'autres domaines scientifiques. La Tour Saint-Jacques est donc un lieu important dans l'histoire de la météorologie et de la physique. Ainsi depuis 1891, le haut de la tour est devenu une station météorologique. Aujourd'hui encore, la tour est toujours utilisée pour des expériences scientifiques et des études météorologiques. Elle est équipée de capteurs modernes pour mesurer la température, la pression et d'autres données météorologiques, et elle sert de point de référence pour les mesures de la qualité de l'air à Paris. La tour a subi des restaurations majeures au fil des siècles pour la préserver, l'embellir et la maintenir debout. La première restauration majeure de la tour a eu lieu en 1836, après que des pierres de la tour se sont effritées et soient tombées sur la rue en dessous. La restauration a été supervisée par l'architecte Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Lassus, qui a remplacé les pierres endommagées et renforcé la structure de la tour. Il a également ajouté une statue de Saint Jacques, en bronze, au sommet de la tour pour remplacer l'ancienne statue en plomb qui avait été fondue pendant la Révolution française. En 1854, une deuxième restauration a été entreprise sous la direction de l'architecte Victor Baltard et de Théodore Ballu. Cette fois-ci, la tour a été entièrement démontée et reconstruite, avec l'ajout de nouveaux éléments architecturaux pour renforcer sa structure. La tour a également été surélevée de quelques mètres pour la rendre plus visible depuis les rues avoisinantes. Enfin, la dernière restauration majeure de la Tour Saint-Jacques a eu lieu en 2009. La tour a été restaurée à son état d'origine avec l'enlèvement des ajouts du XIXe siècle, tels que les contreforts et les balustrades, pour la rendre plus proche de son apparence d'origine. Cette restauration a également permis de renforcer la structure de la tour et de préserver sa longévité. Aujourd'hui, la Tour Saint-Jacques est un monument historique classé et est ouverte au public pour des visites guidées. Les visiteurs peuvent gravir les 300 marches en colimaçon pour admirer la vue imprenable sur Paris depuis le sommet de la tour. Le square de la Tour Saint Jacques attire aussi touristes et habitants du quartier par la beauté de ses plantations et l'élégance de ses pelouses, ce qui en fait un des plus beaux jardins publics de la capitale.

Questions - Réponses Tour saint Jacques

Qui a construit la tour saint jacques .

La Tour Saint-Jacques, située à Paris, est un monument isolé, reste d'une église du XVIe siècle, l'église Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie, détruite après la Révolution française. Cette tour gothique de 52 mètres de hauteur était autrefois le point de départ des pèlerins se rendant à Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Dominant le square Saint-Jacques, elle est célèbre pour sa richesse décorative, ses statues, et son sommet offrant une vue panoramique sur Paris. Elle a été classée monument historique en 1862 et a subi plusieurs restaurations.

Quelles expériences ont été réalisées dans la tour Saint Jacques ?

La Tour Saint-Jacques à Paris a servi de cadre à d'importantes expériences scientifiques. Au XIXe siècle, le physicien français Léon Foucault y réalisa des expériences démontrant la rotation de la Terre. En 1851, il y suspendit son célèbre pendule, un dispositif simple mais ingénieux qui, en oscillant constamment dans le même plan, révélait le mouvement de rotation de la Terre sous lui. Ces expériences ont été cruciales pour la compréhension de la dynamique terrestre et restent un jalon majeur de la physique.

Quels sont les animaux emblématiques dela tour Saint Jacques ?

La Tour Saint-Jacques à Paris est ornée de sculptures d'animaux emblématiques, parmi lesquels les plus remarquables sont les dragons. Ces créatures mythiques, sculptées avec un souci du détail, symbolisent la protection et sont un motif récurrent dans l'architecture gothique. En outre, la tour présente des gargouilles, figures typiques de ce style architectural, conçues pour évacuer l'eau de pluie et représentant diverses formes animales fantastiques. Ces éléments sculpturaux ajoutent à l'aura mystique et historique de la tour, témoignant de l'art et de la culture médiévale.

Qui est la statue sous la Tour Saint Jacques ?

Sous la Tour Saint-Jacques à Paris se trouve une statue de Blaise Pascal, le célèbre mathématicien, physicien et philosophe français du XVIIe siècle. Cette statue rend hommage à ses expériences sur la pression atmosphérique réalisées en 1648. Pascal a utilisé la hauteur de la tour pour ses expériences sur le baromètre, démontrant ainsi les variations de pression de l'air avec l'altitude, une contribution majeure à la science de la physique et de la météorologie.

Peut-on visiter la Tour Saint Jacques ?

Oui, la Tour Saint-Jacques à Paris est ouverte au public pour des visites, mais avec certaines restrictions. L'accès est limité à des visites guidées, généralement disponibles pendant les mois d'été et organisées par l'Office du Tourisme de Paris. Les visiteurs peuvent monter les 300 marches pour atteindre le sommet, offrant une vue panoramique impressionnante sur la ville. Cependant, les places sont limitées et les billets doivent souvent être réservés à l'avance en raison de la forte demande.

Quelles sont les plus belles vues de Paris ?

Paris regorge de points de vue époustouflants. La Tour Saint-Jacques, avec son panorama unique sur le cœur historique de la ville, est un incontournable. La Tour Eiffel offre des vues emblématiques depuis ses plateformes d'observation. Le sommet de la Basilique du Sacré-Cœur à Montmartre révèle une perspective romantique sur Paris. L'Arc de Triomphe offre une vue magnifique sur les Champs-Élysées. Le Centre Pompidou se distingue avec sa vue moderne sur le Marais, tandis que la Tour Montparnasse offre une vue panoramique sur toute la ville, y compris la Tour Eiffel.

Tarifs Tour saint Jacques

12€ par personne

10€ pour les moins de 18 ans, les étudiants et les chômeurs

L'accès au sommet est interdit aux moins de 10 ans.

Billet Tour saint Jacques

A partir de la Tour Saint Jacques, découvrez le reste des monuments de Paris. Notre partenaire a regroupé ici une sélection de bons plans et de billets coupe files ainsi que des billets combinés pour vous permettre de les réserver à l'avance. Planifiez ainsi votre séjour parisien en toute tranquillité et retrouvez les billets directement sur votre téléphone portable.

Acces Tour saint Jacques

Comment aller à la tour saint jacques .

C'est grâce à la station Chatelet que vous pourrez vous rendre à la tour Saint Jacques. cette station est déservie par les lignes de métro 1, 4, 7, 11 et 14.

Horaires Tour saint Jacques

Quels sont les horaires d'ouvertire de la tour saint jacques .

La Tour Saint Jacques est ouverte du vendredi au dimanche de 10 heures à 17 heures entre mai et novembre. Il n'est pas possible de visiter la Tour le reste de l'année.

Contact Tour saint Jacques

Telephone : 01 83 96 15 05

Carte Tour saint Jacques

Adresse : Tour Saint Jacques, 39 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris

Liens utiles Tour saint Jacques

• Site de l'office du tourisme de Paris

Vidéos Tour saint Jacques

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The Saint-Jacques Tower in Paris: 16th-Century Marvel

A 16th-Century Tower in the City Center, Restored to its Former Glory

Courtney Traub.

The only remaining element of a church that once stood in central Paris and a former starting point for Christian pilgrimages southward, the St-Jacques Tower dates to the 16th century--  and recently underwent a dramatic restoration.

The belltower, which had become a public danger due to unstable stone elements, was hidden under heavy scaffolding for years before being unveiled in all of its revamped glory in early 2009. Since then, the tower has once again become a major feature of the landscape on Paris' central right bank ( rive droite ),  and for good reason: it tower boasts stunning stained glass and statuary and looks less like an orphaned remnant of a church than it does a standalone monument.

Read related: 4 Towers to Visit in Paris That Aren't the Eiffel 

Location & Getting There

Getting to the tower is quite easy since it's so centrally located, at the meeting point of many metro and bus stops. 

Address: Square de la tour Saint-Jacques, 88 rue de Rivoli, 4th arrondissement Metro: Chatelet or Hotel de Ville (Lines 1, 4, 7, 11, 14) (Buy Paris metro passes direct)

Tower Visiting Hours

The tower is accessible by reservation in advance only, as part of a guided tour. The 50-minute guided tours are available for individuals and groups at restricted times. Only 5 people are allowed up at a time.

The climb to the top is 300 steps (approximately 16 floors); you should abstain from attempting it if you suffer from vertigo or fear of closed spaces (claustrophobia). Visitors with limited mobility or heart problems are also discouraged should likewise exercise caution. Please also note that for safety reasons, children under 10 are not permitted to take the tour.

Reserving a Tour

To reserve a slot, call  +33 (0) 1 83 96 15 05 from 10 am to 1 pm on Wednesday, or visit the information desk at the tower to reserve on the same day or in advance. 

If you can't make one of the tours or don't like the idea of climbing the tower, the public square on which it stands affords good views and photo opportunities. The square is open daily during daylight hours and closes at dusk.

A Short History of the Tower: 

• The early 1500's: The 170-ft belltower is erected as part of the Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie Church. Although the church was built during the Renaissance, it's designed in the medieval gothic tradition. Christian pilgrims begin their journey along the Saint-Jacques de la Compostelle route here.
• 1793: The church is destroyed during the French Revolution. The remaining tower is pillaged and used as a stone quarry.
• 1836: The City of Paris acquires the tower, which becomes the centerpiece of one of the city's first public squares.
• 2006: The city undertakes an intensive restoration project on the tower.
• 2009: The fully restored tower is unveiled.

Read related feature: All About the Halles/Beaubourg Neighborhood

Tips for Visiting the Tower?

Unfortunately, as mentioned above, the tower isn't open to visitors without a tour reservation. Visit the square in the early morning or dusk hours for fantastic views of the dramatic tower from below (and photo ops of light hitting St Jacques-- a poetic sight by any standards).

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes. Walking 300 stairs up to the top in heels or flip-flops will not be a pleasant experience.  

If you're really hankering to see some dramatic architecture, consider heading over the river to the nearby Notre Dame Cathedral , or to the light-filled, sublime Sainte-Chapelle , featuring some of the medieval period's most intricate and beautiful stained glass. 

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Grimpez au sommet de la tour Saint-Jacques !

Une ascension passionnante… qui se mérite !

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Le Chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle, du Puy-en-Velay à Conques - 9 jours

• Massif Central / Sur plusieurs départements / Le Puy-en-Velay
• Histoire, châteaux - GR® - Traversée en France

Vous trouverez ici l'essentiel des infos utiles à connaitre sur les dix premières étapes "officielles" du Chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle (effectuées en neuf jours), du Puy-en-Velay à Conques, avec renvois sur le blog de l'auteur pour beaucoup plus de photos et de détails. A noter que ce parcours d'un total de 200 km est très élastique, et qu'on peut se composer un itinéraire à la carte. Certains lièvres légèrement chargés l'effectuent même en six jours, à raison d'étapes quotidiennes de trente kilomètres et plus ! Il s'agit de la partie la plus réputée et la plus courue de la Via Podiensis, le Chemin français par excellence. Certes, le parcours se déroule pour l'essentiel en moyenne montagne et en plaine (1400m d'altitude maximum), mais son intérêt tient bien davantage à son ambiance unique et à sa richesse patrimoniale qu'à sa stricte dimension "sportive", même si une bonne condition physique est requise pour enchainer des étapes variant entre 15 et 25 kilomètres et comportant des dénivelés parfois conséquents. On évolue donc dans un univers campagnard non exempt de secteurs sauvages comme l'Aubrac, offrant des paysages d'une grande diversité émaillés d'une multitude de sites remarquables. Humainement, la forte fréquentation de ce GR65 à sens unique occasionne de nombreuses rencontres. D'autre part, le balisage est excellent, et les possibilités d'hébergement toujours très fournies, à la réserve près qu'il est quasi-impératif de réserver en été. Bref, une aventure bien plus humaine que sportive, mais qui reste exigeante par sa durée et par sa longueur. Au final, une expérience inoubliable. – Auteur : Jérôme

Le Puy-en-Velay est desservi par tous les moyens de transport : SNCF, autoroute, routes, et même l’aéroport de Clermont-Ferrand.

Les infos essentielles

Chargement de la carte en cours

• Topo-guide de la FFR ref.651, le GR65 Du Puy-en-Velay à Figeac

Étape 1 : Du Puy-en-Velay à Montbonnet

• Détails sur mon blog
• Kilométrage  : 15,5 km
• Dénivelé  : environ 500m positifs
• Hébergement  : gîtes d’étapes, chambres d’hôtes, bivouac

Descriptif  : une courte étape de mise en train à travers l’Auvergne du Velay, en guise d’introduction au Chemin.

Étape 2 : De Montbonnet à Saugues

• Kilométrage  : 26,5 km
• Dénivelé  : environ 500m positifs et négatifs
• Hébergement  : hôtels, gites d’étapes, chambres d’hôtes, refuge, camping

Descriptif  : Une étape longue qui monte et qui descend, les choses sérieuses commencent ! Paysages variés et beautés architecturales au programme.

Étape 3 : De Saugues à la Chapelle Saint-Roch

• Kilométrage  : 23 km
• Dénivelé  : environ 300m positifs
• Hébergement  : refuge libre ou bivouac.

Descriptif  : on quitte la roche volcanique du Velay pour entrer en terre granitique de Margeride. Le Chemin s’ensauvage quelque peu, entre vastes pâturages et forêts ténébreuses. Le bivouac au refuge de Saint-Roch plonge définitivement dans l’ambiance.

Étape 4 : De la chapelle Saint Roch à Aumont-Aubrac

• Kilométrage  : 23,5 km (25,5 jusqu’au camping)
• Dénivelé  : moins de 200 positifs, 300 négatifs
• Hébergements  : tous types, de l’hôtel au camping

Descriptif  : on s’approche des vastes solitudes de l’Aubrac, en empruntant de bucoliques sentiers sur un terrain vallonné aux pentes parfois raides. Toujours autant de pépites patrimoniales sur la route, dans le registre art roman (à la base, tout au moins...).

Étape 5 : D’Aumont-Aubrac à Nasbinals

• Kilométrage  : 26,5 km (28,5pour le camping)
• Dénivelé  : inférieur à 100m
• Hébergement  : tous types

Descriptif  : Un grand classique du parcours, à ne rater sous aucun prétexte. On entame la traversée du plateau de l’Aubrac, immensité de pâturages dunaires constituant la partie la plus "sauvage" du trek. Arrivée à Nasbinals, village étape emblématique du Chemin.

Étape 6 : De Nasbinals à Saint-Côme-d’Olt

• Kilométrage  : 33 km
• Dénivelé  : près de 1000m négatifs

Descriptif  : La fin de la parenthèse enchantée aubracienne. On descend pour de bon dans la plaine, de 1300 à 358 m ! Il s’agit en fait d’une double étape , qu’on peut diviser en deux en s’arrêtant à Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac. Attention, aucun hébergement n’existe sur le tronçon de 16 km de Saint-Chély à Saint-Côme, c’est l’angle mort du Chemin.

Étape 7 : De Saint-Côme-d’Olt à Estaing

• Kilométrage  : 16 km
• Dénivelé  : moins de 200m
• Hébergement  : hôtel, gîtes d’étape, chambres d’hôtes, bivouac

Descriptif  : courte étape, mais qui peut être pénible par forte chaleur. Son intérêt est surtout patrimonial : le départ et l’arrivée se font dans deux des plus beaux villages de France, Saint-Côme et Estaing, en passant par Espalion qui n’est pas en reste de ce point de vue. Les amateurs de vieilles pierres en prendront plein les yeux.

Étape 8 : D’Estaing à Golinhac

• Dénivelé  : environ 350m positifs

Descriptif  : une autre étape courte à l’intérêt surtout paysager, en forme de promenade champêtre et forestière, des rives du Lot aux plateaux perchés aveyronnais.

Étape 9 : De Golinhac à Conques

• Kilométrage  : 21 km
• Dénivelé  : près de 400m négatifs

Descriptif  : une arrivée en apothéose vers la perle du sentier que constitue le village médiéval de Conques, classé lui aussi plus beau village de France, et le mieux préservé des trois. L’impressionnante abbatiale de Sainte-Foy récompense de tous les efforts du parcours !

Avertissements et Droits d'auteur

Dernière modification : 22 août 2024

10 membres ont cette randonnée en favori !

Auteur : Jérôme

Avis et commentaires

Prenez votre plus belle plume ! 😊

@ Anne-Chantal : désolé pour cette réponse tardive, j’étais cet été sur des sentiers pyrénéens loin de tout réseau, mais aussi content de pouvoir jouer les aide-mémoire, c’est un peu le but. Merci de ton merci, et buen camino ! @hereme : complément bienvenu, moi, je n’avais pas la place ! Arthur a tout dit.

Bonjour Jérôme. Je crois que ta photo n°6 mérite d’exprimer le suite de "par les beaux soirs d’été ...", en accord avec le thème du topo :

Par les soirs bleus d’été, j’irai dans les sentiers, Picoté par les blés, fouler l’herbe menue, Rêveur, j’en sentirai la fraîcheur à mes pieds. Je laisserai le vent baigner ma tête nue.

Je ne parlerai pas, je ne penserai rien : Mais l’amour infini me montera dans l’âme, Et j’irais loin, bien loin, comme un bohémien, Par la nature, heureux comme avec une femme.

Arthur Rimbaud, "Sensation", 1870.

Merci merci pour ce blog Je l’ai lu avant de partir faire cette même rando Là, je viens de revenir et je me suis replongée dans les photos (et leur commentaire) Je n’avais pas emporté d’appareil photo et c’est un vrai bonheur de pouvoir voir les endroits où je suis passée En plus j’aime vraiment beaucoup ta façon d’écrire et ton humour J’avais juste envie de te dire merci Anne-Chantal

C’est quand même bien de le préciser 😉

Tout le monde aura reconnu que la photo du logo représente le tympan de l’abbatiale de Conques... http://www.art-roman-conques.fr/introduction.htm

Bonjour André, désolé pour cette réponse tardive, mais je n’ai de toute façon pas trop de trucs précis à te suggérer, de fait. Tout ce que je peux en dire, c’est que c’est un beau projet qui me parait facilement réalisable, vu que le secteur est quadrillé de GR,de GRP (Randonnée de Pays balisé en rouge et jaune) et de PR (Petite Randonnée balisé en jaune). Autant de sentiers pédestres qui devraient permettre de relier facilement les villages du parcours, sans compter les petites routes de campagne pour d’éventuels raccourcis. Concernant l’hébergement, la réservation est certes très fortement recommandée sur le sentier de Saint-Jacques très couru, mais ça m’étonnerait qu’il y ait foule hors des sentiers battus, ce qui laisse à mon avis une certaine marge de manœuvre et d’improvisation. Je pense que ça peut se planifier en quelques semaines, le temps de se procurer les deux ou trois topos nécessaires, de définir le tracé et le découpage de l’itinéraire, et de faire les réservations nécessaires. Et en autonomie, on pourrait même partir à l’aventure au jour le jour, pourvu qu’on ait cartes et/ou GPS dans le sac, ces contrées restent éminemment peuplées et civilisées, la sauvagerie y demeure toute relative, il y a des routes et des villages partout ! Bon trek !

J’ai envie d’organiser moi-même une grande boucle des plus beaux villages du Lot-Tarn-Aveyron. Si je voulais suivre le chemin de Compostelle, j’aurais tout sur une page. Pour faire un tel circuit "perpendiculaire" au chemin de Compostelle : Albi, Jajac, Belcastel, Rodez, Conques, Figeac, Rocamadour, St-Cirq-Lapopie, on dirait que ça me prendra un an à planifier les étapes, logement etc. Vous avec des trucs à suggérer ?

Bonjour Cazeaux et Agnès, désolé pour cette réponse tardive, j’étais jusqu’à avant-hier sur le GR10, en pleine montagne, sans ordi ni réseau ! Cazeaux : pour ma part, en septembre je reprends le boulot, et j’ai d’autres priorités de trek que le chemin de Saint Jacques. Mais nul doute que vous trouverez des coéquipiers en postant un message sur le forum dédié de ce site, ou sur d’autres du même genre. Au pire, en partant seul, vous ne manquerez pas de vous en trouver sur place, tant le chemin est fréquenté, pour un plusieurs jours, voire des semaines si affinités et rythmes de marche comparables ! L’avantage de cette formule, c’est qu’on peut "tester" ses coéquipiers sur le terrain, sans aucune obligation de part et d’autre, et en changer au hasard des rencontres et des aléas du chemin. Agnès : j’espère qu’il n’est pas trop tard pour ce conseil d’ami, mais à mon sens, si vous n’avez que 5 jours et que vous recherchez les parties les plus sauvages de mon topo, je vous recommande de partir de Saugues jusqu’à Estaing. C’est sans conteste la partie la plus "sauvage", incluant la traversée de l’Aubrac et offrant en prime deux villages inscrits au palmarès des plus beaux villages de France, Saint Côme d’Olt et Estaing (l’idéal serait de pousser jusqu’à Conques pour un troisième, mais si le temps est compté...)

Bonjour, je compte faire un petit morceau du chemin avec une amie, mais que 5 jours de disponible (ce ne sera qu’un début) ! Pourriez vous me conseiller le morceau à faire pour éviter le plus possible les routes, et avec des paysages le plus sauvage possible ? merci d’avance 😉

Bonjour, j’envisage de faire en septembre le chemin Le Puy Conques je suis sportif (courses a pied) jeune retraité 60 ans et recherche des personnes pour le faire avec moi en toute sympathie et découvrir ce chemin de pèlerin. Je vous remercie d’avance.

Merci Laurent, vous m’aviez déjà signalé vos vidéos (voir commentaire plus haut), j’ai visionné la première avec profit !

Bonjour Jérôme, Votre blog est très bien réalisé avec humour parfois. Merci ! Pourquoi ne pas continuer votre Chemin ? Le mien s’est terminé à Saint Jacques de Compostelle le 29 mars 2015. Trois vidéos en sont sorties pour ne pas oublier, faire partager ce merveilleux pèlerinage et peut-être donner l’envie de prendre le sac à dos, qui sait ? Nous ressentons tous ce besoin de témoigner La première retrace Le Puy en Velay - St Jean Pied de Port,(plus particulièrement Cahors/St Jean), La deuxième St Jean Pied de Port - Léon, La troisième Léon - Santiago. Pour visionner sur youtube, taper : compostelle laurent bordet Maintenant, je me prépare pour recommencer depuis Vézelay. Bon Chemin, Buen Camino Laurent

Bonjour Céline. Oui, je confirme qu’il est plus prudent de réserver à l’avance son hébergement. La fréquentation du sentier est telle qu’il arrive même que des groupes nombreux raflent sans crier gare la totalité des places de tel ou tel gîte. Je me suis cassé le nez deux ou trois fois devant des hébergements complets pour ce motif. Je comprends parfaitement et je partage ta volonté d’avancer au jour le jour au gré de sa forme et de ses envies,sans être lié par une planification impérative. La meilleure solution serait de randonner en autonomie, avec la tente et tout le barda, car il y a toujours de la place dans les campings ou des coins discrets, mais ça suppose un minimum d’expérience du bivouac (et de goût pour la chose), et surtout d’alourdir le sac assez considérablement. Cela dit, il n’est pas nécessaire de tout programmer des semaines à l’avance, on peut réserver un ou deux jours avant son arrivée, en fonction de sa vitesse de marche. Et puis, même quand tout est surbooké, l’esprit du chemin fait qu’on trouve toujours une solution pour abriter les marcheurs sans tente, quitte à s’éloigner un peu du parcours. Les hébergeants, les employés d’office de tourisme ou les bénévoles font marcher leur réseau pour vous trouver une place quelque part, en chambre d’hôtes ou chez l’habitant, surtout si l’on est une femme seule. Seuls inconvénients,le stress du SDF qui craint de devoir coucher dehors 😉 et des tarifs bien plus élevés qu’en gîte d’étape. Bref, si tu t’y prends un jour ou deux à l’avance et si ton budget est assez large, tu devrais pouvoir trouver un lit pour chaque soir. Et sinon, un coup de fil à l’office du tourisme ou aux associations religieuses bordant le chemin devrait te sauver la mise en cas d’urgence. Buen camino !

Bonjour. Vous dites qu’il est quasi impératif de réserver l’hébergement en été... Quand on voyage seule aussi ? Je voudrais avancer au jour le jour, ne sachant pas combien de km je suis capable d’avaler. Mais j’ai peur de devoir passer mes nuits à la belle étoile. Qu’en pensez-vous ? Merci !

Bonjour Laurent, je vais de ce pas visionner ces vidéos. Sinon, je n’envisage pas de poursuivre plus avant le chemin pour l’instant, je lui préfère quand même des parcours plus sauvages (et donc) plus montagneux 😉

bonjour karine ! moi aussi c’est ma premiere rando en solo, je parts lundi 15 juin je serai logée au gite de cardinal de polignac ! alors si tu hésite de partir seule rejoints moi ce jour et on demarera un bout de chemin ensemble. Mais si c’est ton désire de faire cette rando prend ta force et lance toi ! et hop c’est parti !!

Merci Jérôme de ce début de parcours. Je vous souhaite d’atteindre Santiago ; Il reste encore beaucoup à découvrir, à marcher, à rencontrer, à vivre.... Pour partager ce pèlerinage que j’ai réalisé jusqu’à Saint Jacques de Compostelle, j’ai réalisé deux vidéos intitulées : "Sur le Chemin de Compostelle - Partage". La troisième sera en ligne en juillet. (Youtube : Compostelle laurent bordet) Bon Chemin, Buen Camino à tous les pèlerins pour cette merveilleuse expérience. Ultréia. Laurent

Bonjour, Membre du groupe Prière & Rando, je souhaite effectuer, du 1er au 31 juillet prochain, le chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle (partie espagnole Le Camino Francès). Ayant quelques troubles de l’équilibre, je cherche une (des) personne(s) pour m’accompagner et m’apporter un peu d’aide. Si vous êtes intéressé et disponible pendant cette période pour partager ce pèlerinage merci de me contacter : [email protected] Bonne journée Olivier

Salut Karine, A mon sens, le Chemin de Saint Jacques est l’un des plus sûrs qui soit pour une femme seule (Je parle du tronçon que je connais, du Puy à Conques). Je n’en ai jamais croisé autant sur un GR, de tous les âges, de 17 à 77 ans, sans qu’aucune n’ait eu autre chose à déplorer que de petits pépins physiques ou matériels. Le terrain est facile, accessible à des marcheurs débutants, seule une bonne forme physique est requise. Le risque le plus grand de ce point de vue est de se faire écraser dans les passages sur bitume 😉 Concernant d’éventuelles mauvaises rencontres, la probabilité me semble très faible : le chemin est très fréquenté, il y a du monde et du réseau presque partout, et si tu t’héberges en gîte tu rencontreras plein de gens avec qui marcher, tu ne resteras pas seule très longtemps ! En plus, il y règne un esprit de solidarité et d’entraide assez réconfortant. Bref, si tu es en forme physique et que tu peux supporter un peu de solitude, tu peux y aller en confiance à mon avis. Avec évidemment les risques inhérents à toute randonnée (entorse, orage, égarement, etc.), mais ça, tu le savais déjà. Après, si tu ne le sens pas d’y aller seule, ne le fais pas, ou alors avec un(e) coéquipièr(e). Bonne rando si tu sautes le pas !

Procurez-vous le film : http://www.amazon.fr/The-Way-La-route-ensemble/dp/2227486937

J’hésite à partir. Ce blog donne encore plus envie de suivre le chemin de Compostelle. Je voudrais partir seule, seulement est ce bien prudent ?

Bonsoir Julia, Il y a de nombreux sites qui proposent une telle carte, dont celui-ci : http://www.lepuyconques.com/

Bonjour Jérôme, Merci pour cette page qui donne vraiment envie. Auriez-vous le tracé de votre itinéraire sur fond de carte pour voir précisément ou vous êtes passé ? Merci d’avance !

Pas mal de ces réflexions rejoignent les miennes. On ne nait pas pèlerin, on le devient par la force du Chemin. Ensuite chacun donne le ou les sens qu’il veut à son "pèlerinage". Me concernant, neuf jours sont quand même un peu courts pour accomplir la métamorphose, et me considérer comme un authentique "Ancien". Sinon, prendre le sentier à contre-courant comme je l’ai fait par hasard l’an dernier pendant deux jours (voir mon topo sur l’Aubrac)est le meilleur moyen de vérifier ce que tu dis : un seul élan, une seule direction ! on fend seul la foule comme jamais. Une expérience qui change les perspectives...

Réflexions d’un ancien du chemin. Partir pour COMPOSTELLE ? Une route, un chemin, un GR ? Poser la question, c’est déjà en partie y répondre.Car cela engage une réflexion dans le temps et l’espace. Partir à quel titre : Randonneur , Amateur d’Arts , Pèlerin, ? J’avoue qu’au départ la motivation était assez diffuse .Je me suis mis tout simplement en route , laissant derrière moi , comme à chacun de mes voyages , une partie de mes racines familiales et en disant selon la tradition ULTREIA !J’ai traversé des villes , des villages , des champs ; j’ai longé des routes , des chemins , le GR 65 ; j’ai rencontré des inconnus , noué des connaissances ; J’ai affronté la chaleur, le vent ,la pluie ; j’ai connu la douleur physique d’un genou mal en point , des ampoules causées par le goudron ; enfin j’ai connu la solitude , compagne propice à la réflexion spirituelle qu’engendrent les émotions d’un instant présent. J’ai donc été à la fois Randonneur , lors de la traversée de la Margeride , de l’Aubrac ou du causse de Quercy ; Amateur d’Arts dans les magnifiques abbatiales du PUY , de LA ROMIEU ou de CONQUES ; Pèlerin en écoutant de très beaux concerts d’orgue dans les cathédrales de MOISSAC, de CONDOM ou d’AIRE SUR L’ADOUR. J’ai croisé des Vététistes , des personnes accompagnées d’ânes ou de chevaux , de chiens . J’ai côtoyé des gens de diverses religions ou de caractères très différents. UN SEUL LIEN UN SEUL ELAN UNE SEULE DIRECTION unissait tout cet ensemble"COMPOSTELLE" Ami internaute si comme moi, tu hésites encore à partir , alors visite tous les sites indiqués et ta décision sera prise et motivée !

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Le tour de l’Aubrac en cinq jours

Le descriptif rapide d’un tour des Monts Aubrac en cinq jours (topo-guide GR de pays "Tour des Monts d’Aubrac", ref.616,carte IGN 1/25000 de Nasbinals 2537OT). Je (...)

Lac du Bouchet et mont Recours (1394m), massif du Devès, Velay

Le lac du Bouchet est un lac d’origine volcanique, plus précisément un maar. Sa magnifique nappe circulaire, entourée de forêts, se niche à 1200 mètres d’altitude (...)

Voie Verte du Velay - Du Puy-en-Velay (Brives-Charensac) au (...)

Venez voyager sur la ligne de chemin de fer qui relie l’agglomération du Puy-en-Velay, au bord de la Loire, au village de Costaros et au lac (le maar) du Péchay, (...)

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Impressionist Paintings

International fine art dealers since 2001

Post impressionist paintings, konstantin alekseevich korovin.

( 1861 - 1939 )

La Tour Saint-Jacques, Paris

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£34,000.00 GBP

Medium: Oil on board

Signed: Signed and titled lower left / stamped with the cachet of the artists studio verso

Size: 13.00" x 16.00" (33.0cm x 40.6cm)

Framed Size: 22.00" x 25.00" (55.9cm x 63.5cm)

Dated: c. 1910

Additional information

Condition: Very good original condition

Provenance: Private collection - France Stamped with the cachet of the artists studio verso

Konstantin Korovin Biography

In 1874, Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin enrolled in the Moscow Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture, studying under Vasilii Polenov and Aleksei Savrasov. In 1885, he made the acquaintance of the art patron and railroad magnate Savva Mamontov, becoming a member of the Abramtsevo colony and a close friend of Fedor Chaliapin and Valentin Serov. In the 1880s and 1890s, he worked as a stage designer for Mamontov’s opera productions such as Sadko, Khovanshchina, and Prince Igor, and in the late 1880s and early 1890s he travelled extensively in Europe, giving particular attention to French Impressionism, which left a profound influence on his painting. In 1894, with Serov, he travelled to the Far North of Russia, sketching and painting vernacular scenes, some of which he then adjusted to the interior design for Mamontov’s Northern Pavilion at the All-Russian Art and Industry exhibition in Nizhnii-Novgorod in 1896. In 1898, he joined the World of Art group and in 1900 was appointed artist-in-residence at the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow, working on a number of major productions such as Cesar Pugni’s ballet, The Little Hump-Backed Horse (1901). Thereafter, Korovin accepted numerous public and private commissions for operatic and dramatic productions, including Les Orientales (1910) for Sergei Diaghilev in Paris. From 1901 until 1918, he taught at the Moscow Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture and, after emigrating to Paris in 1923, worked for a number of émigré theatre companies but with little success. His last major association was with Marie Kousnezoff’s Opéra Privé de Paris from 1929 to 1930.

Korovin was one of Russia’s distinguished portraitists and stage designers. He made his debut as a theatrical painter in 1885 when he executed the sets and costumes for the production of Snegurochka at Mamontov’s private opera company (after Viktor Vasnetsov’s designs) and, thereafter, emerged rapidly as an independent stage designer – decorating 80 operas, 37 ballets, and 17 dramas during his lifetime. Korovin brought to the Russian stage a vibrancy that was lacking in the traditional imperial theaters, revolutionising the convention of stage design as an eclectic confection or dull ethnographical exercise by emphasising vivid colour and fast movement. Celebrated for the stylistic bravura and vivid palette with which he described both town and country, Korovin is also recognised as a perspicacious portraitist and as Russia’s premier Impressionist.

Museum and Gallery Holdings

Moscow (State Central Bakhrushin Theater Mus.) Moscow (State Pushkin MFA) Moscow (State Tretyakov Gal.): The Failure; Winter in Lapland; In the Extreme North; Idyll of the North; In Winter; Paris by Night, the Boulevard des Italiens (1908);The Cafe de la Paix; Nights; The Lilac Tree Paris (MDA) Paris (Mus. National AM, Centre Georges Pompidou) St Petersburg (State Mus. of Theatre and Music) St Petersburg (State Russian Mus.): Street in Vichy (1900)

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The Théâtre du Soleil

Ariane Mnouchkine, born 3rd March 1939 at Boulogne-sur-Seine, is the director of theatre company, the Théâtre du Soleil, which she founded in 1964 with her contemporaries of the ATEP (The Theatre Association of the Students of Paris). In 1970, the Théâtre du Soleil created 1789 at the Piccolo Teatro in Milan, where Giorgio Strehler warmly welcomed and gave his support to the young company.

The company then went on to choose its home on the outskirts of Paris at the Cartoucherie, a former bullet-making factory, in the Bois de Vincennes. The Cartoucherie enabled the troupe to expand on the meaning of theatre as a mere architectural institution, focussing on the concept of the theatre being a place of haven rather than just complying with the traditional architectural notions of a theatre building, and this at a time when urban change and development in France was transforming the place of man in the city and the place of theatre in the city. In the Cartoucherie, the Théâtre du Soleil found the necessary tool to create and present the type of popular yet high-quality theatre dreamed of by Antoine Vitez and Jean Vilar. The troupe invented new ways of working and privileged collectively devised work, its aim being to establish a new relationship with its audience and distinguishing itself from bourgeois theatre in order to create a high-quality theatre for the people. From the 1970s onwards, the troupe became one of France’s major theatre companies, both because of the number of artists working in it (more than seventy people a year) and because of its glowing international reputation. Attached to the notion of the theatre troupe as tribe or family, Ariane Mnouchkine founded the ethic of the group on certain elementary bases: everyone working at all levels, everyone on the same wage, and on stage, the definitive casting only decided upon once many different actors have tried many different roles. Today, the Théâtre du Soleil is one of the last theatre companies in Europe to continue to function in such a way.

The adventure of the Théâtre du Soleil has been continuing for more than forty years, thanks to the faithfulness and affection of a large audience both in France and abroad. Its development is marked by a ceaseless questioning of the role it has to play, of the place of theatre in society and of its capacity to represent its day. The Théâtre du Soleil’s commitment in treating the great political and human questions from a universal angle goes hand in hand with its research on the great theatrical forms and the convergence of Oriental and Western arts.

1964 – 1970

In 1964, Ariane Mnouchkine founds the Théâtre du Soleil with her contemporaries of the ATEP (The Theatre Association of the Students of Paris) and directs its first production, Maxim Gorki’s Petit-Bourgeois (or the Philistines), from the adaptation by Arthur Adamov, at the MJC at Porte de Montreuil. The same year, she co-writes the script of Philippe de Broca’s film That Man from Rio , a film produced by her father, Alexandre Mnouchkine. The Théâtre du Soleil then collectively devises Captain Fracasse after Theophile Gautier in 1965, Arnold Wesker’s The Kitchen in 1967 and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1968. The texts are adapted by Philippe Léotard. In 1969, the Théâtre du Soleil creates Les Clowns , in collaboration with the Théâtre de la Commune d’Aubervilliers. The production runs in Paris and on tour (Théâtre de la Commune d’Aubervilliers, the Avignon Festival, the Piccolo Teatro, the Elysée Montmartre) – 40,000 spectators. In 1970, the Théâtre du Soleil moves into the Cartoucherie in the Bois de VIncennes first to rehearse, and then transforming it into a theatre.

In 1970, the Théâtre du Soleil creates 1789 , a piece about the French Revolution, at the Piccolo Teatro in Milan,then its follow-up, 1793 , which is created three years later at the Cartoucherie. This production runs in Paris andthen on tour (Villeurbanne, Besançon, Caen, Le Havre, Martinique, Lausanne, Berlin, London, Belgrade) – 384,000 spectators. In 1974, Ariane Mnouchkine shoots her first film, at the time of the last performances of 1789 at the Cartoucherie. In this way, she was able to give the spectators of this devised production an unedited record of the work going on at that time in her theatre company. In 1975, the Théâtre du Soleil creates L’Âge d’Or – a first sketch, a collectively devised piece using Commedia dell’Arte masks to recount the contemporary world. The production runs in Paris and on tour to Warsaw, Venice, Louvain-la-Neuve, and Milan – 136,000 spectators. In January 1977, work begins filming the feature-length Molière , directed by Ariane Mnouchkine, with the actors of the Théâtre du Soleil and, on this occasion, certain notable actors from outside the troupe, like Jean Dasté. The shoot lasts for six months, and for the first time in French cinema history, involves television companies (Antenne 2, RAI) in the production of the film. In 1979, the Théâtre du Soleil creates Méphisto , ou le Roman d’une carrière, after Klaus Mann, adapted by Ariane Mnouchkine. The production runs in Paris and on tour – Avignon Festival, Louvain-la-Neuve, Lyon, Rome, Berlin,Munich, Lons-le-Saunier – 160,000 spectators.

From 1981 onwards, the Théâtre du Soleil enters into a period later described by Ariane Mnouchkine as when ‘the work of the Théâtre du Soleil was inscribed in a dialectic movement between the search for contemporary theatre and a periodic need to go back to learn from the source.’ In 1981, Ariane Mnouchkine confronts the troupe with Shakespeare’s history plays and comedies, in a quest to learn from this master, who was playwright as well as director of a troupe. This results in the creation of Richard II in 1981, of Twelfth Night in 1982, and of Henry IV Part 1 in 1984. The production runs in Paris and on tour – Avignon festival, Munich Festival, Los Angeles, Berlin – 253 000 spectators. In 1985 begins a collaboration between Ariane Mnouchkine and Hélène Cixous, a collaboration which still exists today. Cixous will go on to write several plays for the company as well as accompanying its collectively devised work. In 1985, the Théâtre du Soleil creates L’HIstoire terrible mais inachevée de Norodom Sihanouk, roi du Cambodge, written by Hélène Cixous, and a contemporary tragedy about Cambodia on the brink of the genocide. The play runs in Paris and on tour to Amsterdam, Brussels, Madrid, Barcelona – 108,000 spectators. In 1987, L’Indiade ou l’Inde de leurs rêves, a historical drama by Hélène Cixous, recounting the birth of modern India and the Partition of 1947, opens in Paris and then goes on to tour to Tel Aviv – 89,000 spectators. In 1989, commissioned by the National Assembly, and with the company, Ariane Mnouchkine directs the film La Nuit Miraculeuse , a humanist Christmas fairytale, to celebrate the bi-centenary of the French Revolution. The National Assembly and the Place de la Concorde are reserved on certain nights exclusively for the film shoot. Between 1990 and 1992, the company performs the Les Atrides (The House of Atreus) cycle: Euripides’ Iphigenia at Aulis and Aeschylus’ Oresteia ( Agamemnon in 1990, The Libation Bearers in 1991 and The Eumenides in 1992). The production runs in Paris and on tour to Amsterdam, Essen, Sicily, Berlin, Lyon, Toulouse, Montpellier, Bradford,Montréal, New York and Vienna) – 287,000 spectators. In 1994, La Ville Parjure , ou le réveil des Érinyes, by Hélène Cixous opens in Paris. The production runs in Paris and on tour to Liège, Recklinghausen, Vienna and the Avignon Festival – 52,000 spectators. The piece is adapted to a film directed by Catherine Vilpoux, in which alongside images of the stage version are juxtaposed with archival documents recounting the ‘bad blood’scandal, the real event at the origin of Cixous’ epic fable. In 1995, Molière’s Tartuffe opens in Paris and then goes on to tour to Vienna, Avignon Festival, Saint-Jean d’Angély, La Rochelle, Vienne, Copenhagen and Berlin – 122,000 spectators. The creative process and the daily life of the troupe during the rehearsal period is the subject of the documentary film, Au Soleil même la nuit, directed by Eric Darmon and Catherine Vilpoux, in harmony with Ariane Mnouchkine. In 1997, Hélène Cixous collaborates on the writing of Et soudain des nuits d’éveil , a collectively created piece about the exile and destruction of the Tibetan people. The play runs in Paris and on tour to Moscow – 55,000 spectators.

In 1999, Tambours sur la Digue , sous forme de pièce ancienne pour marionnettes jouée par des acteurs (The Flood Drummers), written by Hélène Cixous opens in Paris and then tours to Basle, Anvers, Lyon, Montréal, Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney – 150, 000 spectators. In 2001, Ariane Mnouchkine directs the film adaptation of the stage play at the Cartoucherie with the actors of the company. In 2003, the Théâtre du Soleil creates Le Dernier Caravansérail (Odyssées) , an epic play in two parts (Le Fleuve Cruel and Origines et Destins) which relates the stories of refugees from and throughout the world. The play runs in Paris and on tour to the Avignon Festival, Rome, Quimper, Bochum -the Ruhrtriennale Festival, Lyon, Berlin, New York (Lincoln Center Festival), Melbourne and Athens – 185, 000 spectators. Ariane Mnouchkine also directs the film version of the play, filmed entirely at the Cartoucherie, transformed for the occasion into a real film studio. In December 2006, the Théâtre du Soleil creates Les Ephémères, a piece in two parts. The play runs in Paris and on tour to Quimper, the Athens Festival, the Avignon Festival, the Buenos Aires Festival, the Festival Poa em Cena in Porto Alegre, Sao Paulo, Taipei, the Wiener Festwochen in Vienna, Saint-Etienne, New York (Lincoln Center Festival) – 160 000 spectators. Les Éphémères was filmed by Bernard Zitzermann during performances at the Comédie de Saint-Etienne in June 2008 (co-produced by Théâtre du Soleil, ARTE, and Bel Air Media). In September 2009, Ariane Mnouchkine the Norwegian government awards Ariane Mnouchkine the International Ibsen Prize in recognition of her services to theatre.

In February 2010, the Théâtre du Soleil creates Les Naufragés du Fol Espoir (Aurores) at the Cartoucherie, a collectively devised creation written in part by Hélène Cixous, and directed by Ariane Mnouchkine. The play runs inParis and on tour to Lyon (Les Célestins), Nantes (Le Grand T), the Hellenic Festival in Athens, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, the Festival Poa em Cena in Porto Alegre, the Festival Santiago a mil in Santiago de Chile, the Wiener Festwochen in Vienna, the Edinburgh International Festival, Taipei – 180 000 spectators.

In May 2014, the Théâtre du Soleil creates at the Cartoucherie Macbeth. A Tragedy by William Shakespeare .  Translated and directed by Ariane Mnouchkine. Music by Jean-Jacques Lemêtre.

(May, 29) 50th anniversary of the Théâtre du Soleil

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Konstantin Alekseyevich Korovin was a leading Russian Impressionist painter.

Konstantin was born in Moscow to a merchant family officially registered as "peasants of Vladimir Gubernia". His father, Aleksey Mikhailovich Korovin, earned a university degree and was more interested in arts and music than in the family business established by Konstantin's grandfather. Konstantin's older brother Sergei Korovin was a notable realist painter. Konstantin's relative Illarion Pryanishnikov was also a prominent painter of the time and a teacher at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.

In 1875 Korovin entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, where he studied with Vasily Perov and Alexei Savrasov. His brother Sergei was already a student at the school. During their student years, the Korovins became friends with fellow students Valentin Serov and Isaac Levitan; Konstantin maintained these friendships throughout his life.

In 1881–1882, Korovin spent a year at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, but returned disappointed to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. He studied at the school under his new teacher Vasily Polenov until 1886.

In 1885 Korovin traveled to Paris and Spain. "Paris was a shock for me … Impressionists… in them I found everything I was scolded for back home in Moscow", he later wrote.

Polenov introduced Korovin to Savva Mamontov's Abramtsevo Circle: Viktor Vasnetsov, Apollinary Vasnetsov, Ilya Repin, Mark Antokolsky and others. The group's love for stylized Russian themes is reflected in Korovin's picture A Northern Idyll. In 1885 Korovin worked for Mamontov's opera house, designing the stage decor for Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, Léo Delibes' Lakmé and Georges Bizet's Carmen.

In 1888 Korovin traveled with Mamontov to Italy and Spain, where he produced the painting On the Balcony, Spanish Women Leonora and Ampara. Konstantin traveled within Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia and exhibited with the Peredvizhniki. He painted in the Impressionist, and later in the Art Nouveau, styles.

In the 1890s Korovin became a member of the Mir iskusstva art group.

Korovin's subsequent works were strongly influenced by his travels to the north. In 1888 he was captivated by the stern northern landscapes seen in The Coast of Norway and the Northern Sea.

His second trip to the north, with Valentin Serov in 1894, coincided with the construction of the Northern Railway. Korovin painted a large number of landscapes: Norwegian Port, St. Triphon's Brook in Pechenga, Hammerfest: Aurora Borealis, The Coast at Murmansk and others. The paintings are built on a delicate web of shades of grey. The etude style of these works was typical for Korovin's art of the 1890s.

Using material from his trip, Korovin designed the Far North pavilion at the 1896 All Russia Exhibition in Nizhny Novgorod. He painted ten big canvasses for the pavilion as well, depicting various aspects of life in the northern and Arctic regions. After the closure of the Exhibition, the canvasses were eventually placed in the Yaroslavsky Rail Terminal in Moscow. In the 1960s, they were restored and transferred to the Tretyakov Gallery.

In 1900 Korovin designed the Central Asia section of the Russian Empire pavilion at the Paris World Fair and was awarded the Legion of Honour by the French government.

In the beginning of the 20th century, Korovin focused his attention on the theater. He moved from Mamontov's opera to the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. Departing from traditional stage decor, which only indicated the place of action, Korovin produced a mood decor conveying the general emotions of the performance. Korovin designed sets for Konstantin Stanislavsky's dramatic productions, as well as Mariinsky's operas and ballets. He did the stage design for such Mariinsky productions as Faust (1899), The Little Humpbacked Horse (1901), and Sadko (1906) that became famous for their expressiveness.

In 1905 Korovin became an Academician of Painting and in 1909–1913 a professor at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.

One of the artist's favourite themes was Paris. He painted A Paris Cafe (1890s), Cafe de la Paix (1905), La Place de la Bastille (1906), Paris at Night, Le Boulevard Italien (1908), Night Carnival (1901), Paris in the Evening (1907), and others.

During World War I Korovin worked as a camouflage consultant at the headquarters of one of the Russian armies and was often seen on the front lines. After the October Revolution Korovin continued to work in the theater, designing stages for Richard Wagner's Die Walküre and Siegfried, as well as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker (1918–1920).

In 1923 Korovin moved to Paris on the advice of Commissar of Education Anatoly Lunacharsky to cure his heart condition and help his handicapped son. There was supposed to be a large exhibition of Korovin's works, but the works were stolen and Korovin was left penniless. For years, he produced the numerous Russian Winters and Paris Boulevards just to make ends meet.

In the last years of his life he produced stage designs for many of the major theatres of Europe, America, Asia and Australia, the most famous of which is his scenery for the Turin Opera House's production of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's The Golden Cockerel.

Korovin died in Paris on 11 September 1939. He was buried in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery, in the southern suburbs of Paris.

More Artworks by Konstantin Alexeevich Korovin (View all 45 Artworks)

Traineau se dirigeant vers une chapelle

Traineau passant sur un pont au soleil couchant

Portrait of the Ballerina Vera Trefilova (1924)

Grands Boulevards, Richelieu-Drouot (1935)

Nächtliches Paris

Village scene

Paris By Night (1904)

In the garden (circa 1923)

Pushkin And The Muse (1930)

Paris By Night

Portrait Of Madame Maria Rubin (1922)

La Porte Saint Denis

Winter Sleigh Ride

Chasseur discutant avec une femme dans un traineau