Models of France!

This afternoon we went to the Grand Palais to see an utterly superb exhibition entitled "France en Relief". It was in the huge nave of the Palace, and displayed sixteen scale models of strategic towns and villages in France, constructed from the 17th to the 19th centuries for military and prestige purposes. They present every detail of the towns and surrounding terrain, in relief. The exhibition was wonderfully designed, including huge mirrors (three are visible here) juxtaposed with several of the models, which ranged from 7 sq m to 160 sq m. Details are definitely best large

It's impossible to choose a blip that presents everything--this is an overview, including part of the roof of the nave. In the middle of the huge floor was an old map of France which was blown up to enormous proportions. Most of the persons leaning over it here are searching for familiar locations.

A previous blip from the nave of the Grand Palais is this installation by Christian Boltanski, a French artist. Richard Serra has also exhibited there.