Ariane Droz

Review of Observatoire de Paris - CNRS L...

I visited the Paris Observatory, and I am happy th...

I visited the Paris Observatory, and I am happy that this building has been preserved in its original form. Nowadays it is common to find depraved historic sites.

It is useful to have some interest in astronomy and its history to be able to appreciate the purity of the place. I recommend that curious and interested people learn about the history of Jean-Dominique Cassini and the place of science in the 17th century, so that they can fully appreciate their visit.



Jean-Dominique Cassini left the observatory of Bologna at the request of Louis XIV in 1667, knowing that he would have the possibility of creating the famous meridian line located on the floor of the observatory and of being able to collaborate with the architect Perrault for the construction of the building. This obviously in order to observe the sky, and to measure the ephemeris necessary to make science evolve.

Those who have visited the meridian line of St-Petronio Basilica in Bologna will be able to appreciate the historical development represented by the Paris Observatory.