around PLACE DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE 1 CANAL SAINT-MARTIN A few minutes from the square, the quays of the Canal Saint-Martin are one of the nicest places to stroll. Cross from one bank to the other via the little 19th-century foot- bridges, and admire the colourful shop win- dows. Near to Gare de l’Est train station, it is PLACE DE worth taking a look at the former Récollets convent. Built in 1603, this place was in turn LA RÉPUBLIQUE a Franciscan convent, a hospice, a military hospital, a school of architecture and an artists’ squat, before being converted, in 2003, into an international residence with a At the intersection of the 3rd, 10th and cultural vocation. 11th arrondissements, Place de la Répub- 10th. M République.o lique, with its popular, friendly and festive character, gives pride of place to walkers. Numerous armchairs, chairs and tables are scattered around for people to relax, take a break or chat with friends. At its centre stands the Monument to the Republic, a monumental work inaugurated in 1883. The allegory of the Republic, a bronze statue 9.50-metres-high, holds an olive branch in one hand and the Declaration of Human 2 PARC DES BUTTES-CHAUMONT Rights in the other. The three stone figures This is the hilliest park in Paris! And for around it represent Liberty, Equality and good reason: it was laid out on the site of Fraternity. The bronze lion at the foot of the former gypsum quarries. In contrast to the monument symbolizes universal suffrage. It rectilinear French-style gardens, this ‘Anglo- is not surprising that the square is an essen- Chinese’ style park designed under Napo- tialfocus for citizen demonstrations! A leon III affords beautiful views of the capital, stone’s throw from Rue Oberkampf and the especially the Montmartre district. Grottos Canal Saint-Martin and popular with artists and waterfalls, a suspension bridge, an arti- and ‘bobos’, the square is an ideal meeting ficial lake, and a folly perched atop a belve- spot for night owls going on to local bars, dere give it a distinctive charm. The small concert venues, nightclubs, theatres, etc. Temple of the Sybil is a replica of the Temple And going down Boulevard du Temple, you of Vesta in Tivoli. willfind the Cirque d’Hiver: this singular 19th. M Buttes-Chaumont.o www.paris.fr building, a twenty-sided polygon decorated with bas-reliefs, built in 1852 by the archi- tect Jacques Hittorff, has belonged to the famous Bouglione family since 1934. 3rd, 10th and 11th. M République.o 62| NORTH-EAST PARIS