Place Joachim-du-Bellay
Encyclopedia
Place Joachim-du-Bellay is a vast square located near the center of Paris
, France
, on the path of the 1st arrondissement of Paris.
This square is located near Les Halles
and the Pompidou Center, along with being surrounded by many ethic restaurants and stores, thus making this a well provided for and diverse location.
The place Joachim-du-Bellay was built on the spot of the previously erected Saints Innocents Cemetery
- which has a controversial past itself - in 1787, after the cemetery's destruction. The Fountain of Innocents now resides in the center of the square, marking the last still standing remnant of the cemetery.
The previous structure was that of the Saints Innocents Cemetery, which operated, along with The Church of the Saints Innocents, from the 9th century
(Middle Ages
) to 1780 AD (during the Ancien Régime in France), when it was closed due to overuse.
The Saints Innocents Cemetery is notable because it held the first documented mural of Danse Macabre
, a style of painting during late-medieval times emphasizing the impact of Death
on lives and all ages. This mural was destroyed, however, almost 200 years after its construction, in 1669.
The cemetery held a fountain, originally named Fountain of the Nymphs and now known as Fountain of Innocents (or, Fontaine des Innocents
). This fountain was dismantled in 1787 when the grounds of the church and cemetery were finally torn down, and in its place was erected a stone layed square, place Joachim-du-Bellay, that was originally an herb and vegetable market.
The Fountain of Innocents was re-assembled soon thereafter the completion of said square and earned itself a placement in the center of place Joachim-du-Bellay, where it now stands. The Fountain of Innocents is the oldest monumental
fountain
in Paris.
, a French poet
and literary critic (1522–1560), although no confirmation of this was available.
Ancien Régime in France
Previously cited, (Wikipedia Link).
Danse Macabre
Previously cited, (Wikipedia Link).
1780s Major events of the 1780s - year by year. Not previously cited, (Wikipedia Link).
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, on the path of the 1st arrondissement of Paris.
This square is located near Les Halles
Les Halles
Les Halles is an area of Paris, France, located in the 1er arrondissement, just south of the fashionable rue Montorgueil. It is named for the large central wholesale marketplace, which was demolished in 1971, to be replaced with an underground modern shopping precinct, the Forum des Halles...
and the Pompidou Center, along with being surrounded by many ethic restaurants and stores, thus making this a well provided for and diverse location.
The place Joachim-du-Bellay was built on the spot of the previously erected Saints Innocents Cemetery
Saints Innocents Cemetery
The Saints Innocents Cemetery is a defunct cemetery in Paris that was used from the Middle Ages until the late 18th century. It was the oldest and largest cemetery in Paris and had often been used for mass graves...
- which has a controversial past itself - in 1787, after the cemetery's destruction. The Fountain of Innocents now resides in the center of the square, marking the last still standing remnant of the cemetery.
History of Location
While the history of the location on which place Joachim-du-Bellay resides is long and rich, this history of the square itself is rather simple.The previous structure was that of the Saints Innocents Cemetery, which operated, along with The Church of the Saints Innocents, from the 9th century
9th century
The 9th century is the period from 801 to 900 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian/Common Era.-West Africa:- Southeastern Nigeria :...
(Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
) to 1780 AD (during the Ancien Régime in France), when it was closed due to overuse.
The Saints Innocents Cemetery is notable because it held the first documented mural of Danse Macabre
Danse Macabre
Dance of Death, also variously called Danse Macabre , Danza de la Muerte , Dansa de la Mort , Danza Macabra , Dança da Morte , Totentanz , Dodendans , is an artistic genre of late-medieval allegory on the universality of death: no matter one's...
, a style of painting during late-medieval times emphasizing the impact of Death
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
on lives and all ages. This mural was destroyed, however, almost 200 years after its construction, in 1669.
The cemetery held a fountain, originally named Fountain of the Nymphs and now known as Fountain of Innocents (or, Fontaine des Innocents
Fontaine des Innocents
The Fontaine des Innocents is a monumental public fountain located on the place Joachim-du-Bellay in the Les Halles district in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France. Originally called the Fountain of the Nymphs, it was constructed between 1547 and 1550 by architect Pierre Lescot and sculptor...
). This fountain was dismantled in 1787 when the grounds of the church and cemetery were finally torn down, and in its place was erected a stone layed square, place Joachim-du-Bellay, that was originally an herb and vegetable market.
The Fountain of Innocents was re-assembled soon thereafter the completion of said square and earned itself a placement in the center of place Joachim-du-Bellay, where it now stands. The Fountain of Innocents is the oldest monumental
Monumental
-Music:* Monumental, an album by producer/rapper Pete Rock and rap duoSmif-N-Wessun** "Monumental", title track, and third single off of the album.-Other uses:* Monumental * Monumental Axis, a central avenue in Brasília's city design...
fountain
Fountain
A fountain is a piece of architecture which pours water into a basin or jets it into the air either to supply drinking water or for decorative or dramatic effect....
in Paris.
Name Origin
The place is also thought to be named after Joachim du BellayJoachim du Bellay
Joachim du Bellay was a French poet, critic, and a member of the Pléiade.-Biography:He was born at the Château of La Turmelière, not far from Liré, near Angers, being the son of Jean du Bellay, Lord of Gonnor, first cousin of the cardinal Jean du Bellay and of Guillaume du Bellay.Both his parents...
, a French poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and literary critic (1522–1560), although no confirmation of this was available.
See also
Life of French Poet Joachim du Bellay Enotes. Summary format.Ancien Régime in France
Ancien Régime in France
The Ancien Régime refers primarily to the aristocratic, social and political system established in France from the 15th century to the 18th century under the late Valois and Bourbon dynasties...
Previously cited, (Wikipedia Link).
Danse Macabre
Danse Macabre
Dance of Death, also variously called Danse Macabre , Danza de la Muerte , Dansa de la Mort , Danza Macabra , Dança da Morte , Totentanz , Dodendans , is an artistic genre of late-medieval allegory on the universality of death: no matter one's...
Previously cited, (Wikipedia Link).
1780s Major events of the 1780s - year by year. Not previously cited, (Wikipedia Link).