robjame

Have any of the Paris experts followed or found the Arago markers in Paris? There are supposed to be 135 bronze markers set in the pavement of Paris along the old “Méridien de Paris” (this was the old line of zero meridian until Greenwich was set in the 1880’s). Each is about 10 – 15 centimetres in diameter with Arago’s name imprinted in it as well as N and S for North and South. I know it sounds like a silly exercise to try to locate these but it sounded kind of fun and appealed to the treasure hunter instinct in me. The bd Arago does receive some mention as being an interesting street in itself and I wonder if some of the markers are to be found along this boulevard. Locating these disks should appeal to Robespierre (as well as me) as a GPS should be ideal for this. A picture can be found on this site:

http://www.metropoleparis.com/1999/410/410line.html

AnthonyGA

Some of them are easy to find, but finding every last one of them is problematic, since some of them are on private property.

robjame

Have you found any of them AnthonyGA? Are they located on sidewalks or the middle of the roads?

shellio

I noticed one on the sidewalk of rue de Seine, just south of the arch that opens onto the Place de l'Institut de France. It was just across the street from Square H. Champion, the tiny green space at the top of rue de Seine where it curves to join quai Malaquais.

robjame

Thanks Shellio. We'll look for this one. Were you searching for them or did you just stumble across this one? Did you know what it was?

StCirq

That is really cool, robjame....something else to keep my eyes open for in Paris next month...thanks!

shellio

Robjame, I just noticed it, not looking for them at all. I had heard of them, which I suppose is why I recognized it.

If you're looking for unusual sites/sights you might pick up a book called "Unexplored Paris" by Rodolphe Trouilleux, published by Parigramme.

cigalechanta

robjane, someone asked me the same question and I sent this:

http://www.metropoleparis.com/1999/410/410line.html

robjame

Thanks for the book suggestion, Shellio. I will try to pick up a copy. I love this kind of thing - the hidden, secretive, not-as-well-known sights.

Robespierre

An amusing footnote: for a long time, the French wanted the Prime Meridian to pass through the Paris Observatory, while the British wanted it to be at Greenwich. Neither side would budge until the Brits agreed to a compromise: if the French would allow that Greenwich was zero longitude, the UK would convert all measurements to the metric system.

That was in 1884

Beatchick

Robjame, I don't think it sounds like a silly exercise at all. Rather, it sounds like exactly the kind of thing I would do (I like to hunt down Wallace fountains)!

AnthonyGA

Oh yes, I've seen them; some of them are in very heavily-frequented public places.

All you have to do is find the Paris meridian and walk north. They are all on that meridian. The Paris Observatory is precisely aligned on the meridian, so you can start there. A GPS helps with staying on the line if you need it. Then just look at the ground below you. A lot of them are stuck in sidewalks and pavement and are easy to see. I even put a photo of one on my site, just to prove that they do indeed exist.

cigalechanta

Robjane, I found this for you:

http://tions.net/CA256EA900408BD5/vwWWW/outdoor~02~21

robjame

Great site find cigalechanta. I have marked a few to make sure I can find at least one.
Beatchick - Now you've done it! I have learned all about Wallace fountains and will be looking and photographing them when in Paris in April/May. Just what I need - another quest. I love it. Did you photograph any on your last trip?

Beatchick

I did! I photographed several but they're not up yet. I also got one on my 2003 trip - Place des Abbesses.

Hee hee - I started you on a new obsession. I can't wait to see your photos of those & the Arago markers when you get back!

cigalechanta

robjane this will give you a list of the locations. The ones I sited the most were the four nymphs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_fountains
I would have sent you this list, Mary if I knew of your interest. Too bsad most were not turned on this trip.

Beatchick

I guess I can always do it next trip!

tod

robjame - When you're done with finding Arago markers and Wallace Fountains please use your GPS to find something I could not (as I did not have GPS), up at Sacre-Coeur - that's if you feel so inclined of course!
It is a micro-cache located in a small park very close to Basilique du Sacre-Coeur in Monmarte. The hidden item's co-ordinates are:
N 48* 53.261 E 002* 20.615
UTM: 31U E 451880 N 5415177
It is very small.
Maybe you would do this just for fun if you go up to Sacre-Coeur in April/May?
Naturally you must leave it where you found it and not take anything out or put anything in the container.

robjame

tod - Is it a geocache? If so I should pick up a travel bug and leave it there.

Momliz

What wonderful ideas - now I am so looking forward to finding Wallace fountains and Arago markers when we are in Paris! Treasure hunts, like finding hidden Mickeys at Disneyworld, are so much fun.

A question for all the Paris people - can you think of any other similar hunts that people could go on?

And, when you use the 2nd link that cigale gave, make sure that you include the 02-21 at the end, otherwise it's no good.

Thanks again!