Place de la Concorde, called Place de la Revolution in 1792, (when the guillotine was erected here), is at the east end of Champs Elysees, adjoining the Jardin des Tuileries.  The square is enclosed with balustrades, upon which stand eight colossal statues of the chief provincial cities.  In the center of it stands the Obelish of Luxor.  This magnificent monument of ancient Egypt, was brought to Paris in 1833 and erected in 1836.  It weighs 250 tons, and to transport it from Thebes to the place where it now stands required three years.  It is one of two monoliths that stood in front of the great temple of Thebes, where they were erected 1550 years before Christ.  Both of them were given to the French Government, by Mehemet All, Viceroy of Egypt, “in consideration of advantages conferred by France on Egypt in aiding to form the arsenal and naval establishment of Alexandria.”  Only one was removed.  It is 72 feet 3 inches high.  Its greatest width is 7 feet 6 inches at the base, and 5 feet 4 inches at the top.  The pedestal upon which it stands, is 15 feet by 9 feet at the bottom and 8 feet at the top, and weighs 120 tons.

The transportation and re-erection of this obelisk cost the French Government about $400,000.  A dear present!  No wonder that they did not go to fetch the other one.

Galignani enumerates the following events which occurred here and rendered the Place de la Concorde famous: 

“July 12, 1789.—­A collision between Prince de Lambesc’s regiment and the people became the signal for the destruction of the Bastille.

“Jan. 21, 1793.—­Louis XVI. suffered death on this place.

“From Jan. 21, 1793, to May 3, 1795, more than 2,800 persons were executed here by the guillotine.

“Feb. 23, 1848.—­The first disturbances that ushered in the memorable revolution of that year took place here.

“Feb. 24, 1848—­Flight of Louis Philippe and his family by the western entrance of the Tuileries Garden.

“Nov. 4, 1848.—­The Constitution of the Republic was solemnly proclaimed here, in the presence of the Constituent Assembly.

“Sept. 4, 1870.—­The downfall of Napoleon III. and the Third Republic proclaimed, after the disaster of Sedan.

“May 22, 1871.—­A desperate conflict between the Versailles troops and the Communists, the latter in their retreat setting fire to public and private Bubldings.”

Jardin des Tuileries,

A pleasure-garden over fifty acres in extent (containing flower-beds, an extensive orangery, trees, statues and fountains) intervenes between Place de la Concorde and the Palace of the Tuileries, and, in connection with Champs Elysees, constitutes a continuous garden and park whose total length is over a mile and three quarters.