Every diamond needs a worthy setting, otherwise it will be just a stone; likewise, the Eiffel Tower surely would not have become so famous if it did not have such beautiful surroundings.
The Champ de Mars, through which the path to the world's most visited landmark runs, is actually no less worthy of attention. This park is much older than the tower and has witnessed many key events in French history.
Its history began with the creation of the Military School for the sons of impoverished nobles, opened in 1751 by Louis XV. The cadets used the fields adjacent to the school as a parade ground. That is how the field got its name - in honor of Mars, the god of war. Later, kings reviewed troop parades on this ground, and during the revolution protests were held here, one of which ended with demonstrators being shot.
After the French Revolution, the Champ de Mars became a site for patriotic festivities. Horse races were held here, and from here, for the first time in the world, a balloon piloted by Blanchard rose into the sky.
Since 1867, the field gained a new purpose: it became the venue for World Expositions, where countries displayed their highest achievements in various fields. It was for one of these exhibitions that the Eiffel Tower appeared on the Champ de Mars; it was built as a temporary structure and served as the ceremonial gateway to the Expo-1889 grounds.
Today, the Champ de Mars is a beautiful city park, on whose perfect lawns you are free to lie and look at the tower soaring into the sky.
