Rue de Rivoli (Rivoli Street), Paris

Rivoli Street, a prominent commercial artery in central Paris, replete with high-end fashion boutiques, carries a great deal of historical significance. It commemorates Napoleon Bonaparte's momentous triumph over the Austrian army at the Battle of Rivoli in January 1797. Initially developed by Napoleon, the novel street carved through the heart of Paris parallel to the north wing of the Louvre Palace and the Tuileries Gardens, marking a pivotal shift in urban planning.

Napoleon鈥檚 project created a wide, elegant street that showcased a blend of Paris's rich historical monuments and the emerging modern city layout. His original plan was later extended eastward by the restored Bourbon King Charles X, followed by his successor King Louis-Philippe. Lastly, Emperor Napoleon III incorporated it into the 17th-century district of Le Marais. Underneath Rivoli lies a significant part of Paris鈥檚 famed sewer system, which includes sidewalks for maintenance workers.

The area around Rivoli Street is home to major landmarks, such as the Opera Garnier, and nearby department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps.

Further east, at Pyramids Square, a statue of Joan of Arc stands near the site where she was wounded in 1429. The street is also linked to other dark moments in French history. A plaque at No. 144 marks the spot where the Huguenot leader Admiral Gaspard de Coligny was assassinated during the Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre 鈥� a wave of Catholic mob violence against the Huguenots during the French Wars of Religion 鈥� in 1572.

While the Rivoli section near the Louvre is more commercial, offering a greater variety of shopping and dining options, its stretch in the Le Marais area is more tranquil and picturesque. It provides an authentic Parisian experience, with serene caf茅-brasseries such as La Tartine 鈥� a local favorite with an extensive wine list. Either way, a leisurely walk on the Rivoli promises a worthwhile experience.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Paris. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Rue de Rivoli (Rivoli Street)
Sight Location: Paris, France (See walking tours in Paris)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Paris Introduction Walking Tour II

Walking Tours in Paris, France

Create Your Own Walk in Paris

Creating your own self-guided walk in Paris is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
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Le Marais Walking Tour

Once a bourgeois area and still a major center of the Paris Jewish community, the Le Marais district is one of the hippest neighborhoods in the city. Boasting a wealth of narrow medieval streets, unique boutiques, and quirky establishments, it represents an eclectic blend of historical sites and the bustling energy of today.

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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On this self-guided walk you will witness the grandeur of the 8th arrondissement of the French capital 鈥� one of its busiest and chic neighborhoods, thanks to the presence of Avenue des Champs-Elys茅es, Arc de Triomphe, and Place de la Concorde.

Your best plan would be to start with the Triumphal Arch and walk up to its viewing area for great sights down the Champs-脡lys茅es 鈥� a lovely... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles

Paris Introduction Walking Tour II

As you continue your acquaintance with Paris driven by its timeless allure, the city's heart reveals itself with an array of places capturing its profound history and artistic legacy. The evolution of Paris is visible on the banks of the river Seine, the linking thread winding its way through the capital as if keeping a watchful eye on its architectural marvels.

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles

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