Paris Will Create the City's Largest Gardens Around the Eiffel Tower

Re:Paris Will Create the City's Largest Gardens Around the E... by Silhouette on Wednesday May 22, 2019 @08:30PM (#19987137)

I wish them luck. The Eiffel Tower is quite a place to visit, and it's true that the road traffic in the area diminishes it. Paris has some very nice gardens already, but in such a built-up city it's surely a benefit if they can create one more. And while there always seems to be a great party atmosphere in the good viewing spots for the light show, making them less concrete and more park seems likely to improve that too.

Sadly, the area has also been diminished in recent years by all the security around the tower itself. While understandable given actual violence that has occurred there in the past, and even with efficient and professional security staff doing the checks, it can still feel like going into some sort of secure facility more than enjoying a world-famous landmark these days. If the redesign could also reduce the visual impact of the security measures, that would be a bonus.

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Re:Paris Will Create the City's Largest Gardens Around the E... by Fradow on Thursday May 23, 2019 @05:50AM (#19990141)

It's odd very few people talk about the security.

That's what striked me the most a few years ago when I finally decided to go near the Eiffel Tower: when I was young, I remember going there and just going under the Eiffel Tower to sight-see. Nowadays, the security checkpoint put me off doing that, and the high transparent walls make the place feel like an enclave where I don't belong and should just peek from outside.

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Re:Paris Will Create the City's Largest Gardens Around the E... by SmellyGeekBoy on Thursday May 23, 2019 @05:00AM (#19989813)

I visited the tower as a kid, before all the security theater was put in place. Visiting again last year was a very depressing experience, I have to say.

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Re:Paris Will Create the City's Largest Gardens Around the E... by ErikVandeWater on Wednesday May 22, 2019 @11:22PM (#19988106)

You really don't find being pat down by a security officer of your own gender to contribute to a sense of romance and idealism??

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Re:Paris Will Create the City's Largest Gardens Around the E... by Silhouette on Thursday May 23, 2019 @04:52AM (#19989774)

I have never personally had a problem with the security staff at any visitor attraction in Paris. They have always been perfectly polite and professional, and the screening was generally far less intrusive and much quicker than the security theatre we see all too often elsewhere.

I just find it regrettable that the whole area around the base of the tower looks like a fortress these days. If they can move away from that feeling as part of this project, perhaps relocating essential access control measures underground as much as possible, that would be a pleasant improvement.

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Re:Paris Will Create the City's Largest Gardens Around the E... by SmellyGeekBoy on Thursday May 23, 2019 @05:01AM (#19989822)

I'm not sure what gender has to do with it?

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