| lisa's
project |
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Pass your cursor over the photos
below to see what life was like 100 years ago. You may have to wait a
few moments for the photos to load. See some store
signs of Dijon here.
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My project
started innocently enough. I was given a piggy bank full of francs
for my birthday from my friends at the cafe (see my birthday story
- go to "lisa's world" above). With this money, one of my
purchases was a book titled "Memoire en Images: Dijon" by
Jean-François Bazin . The book is filled with old postcard
images of Dijon. I highly recommend it! As I thumbed through the pages,
thrilled when I recognized so many sights and streets, an idea began
brewing in this head of mine. I marveled at how some things stayed
exactly the same, while others, sadly, disappeared. Happens in every
country, even in small Illinois towns like DeKalb. Hence....my project.
Here are a few examples: |
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| Place Grangier in 2001.
The post office building is grand to be sure. But some residents view
it with mixed feelings, still remembering the chateau that once stood
here. On cursor passover: Place Grangier in 1907. The post office,
under construction in the photo, occupies the former site of Le Chateau
de Dijon. The chateau stored powder and other military supplies during
the wars of Louis XIV. |
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| Dijon - les halles
marche- 2001- still a bustling market center four days a week. Thankfully
this tradition continues to thrive. This photo was taken on a non-market
day. On cursor passover: Dijon - le marche - circa 1900. The Dijonnais
have been trading and selling goods here for two centuries. |
Pass your
cursor over the photos to see life 100 years ago!
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| 2001-the busiest Dijon
street, rue de la Liberté is blacktopped for heavy bus traffic.
The "Three Sisters" buildings hiding in the rear right are
one example of successful restoration projects in Dijon. On cursor
passover: "On pave la rue de la Liberte pres du Coin du Miroir".
Circa 1900. Paving the street near the corner of Miroir and rue de
la Liberte. |
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| Les Halles in 2001.
An interesting building with an interesting history. The church is
long gone, all in an effort to sell more fruits, vegetables, and meats
of all kinds. On cursor passover: The Eglise des Jacobins existed
alongside the market since the 13th century. Unfortunately, the church
was demolished in the late nineteenth century when the market (Les
Halles) was expanded. |
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| Place des Cordeliers,
2001. I wish the city would restore this square to its former grandeur.
The circle of bricks respresenting its lost past is depressing! On
cursor passover: Place des Cordeliers, circa 1910. The monument of
Piron was unveiled the 24th of October 1909. It disappeared during
World War II. |
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I wish I
had room to share all my "before and after" images. I hope to
someday do something more formal with these photos. Until that day, I hope
these examples will stir your local preservation interests and perhaps prompt
you to visit Dijon yourself. I'm happy to say that since the 1960s, Dijon
has rewarded downtown property owners with incentives to improve their facades.
When these projects are complete the buildings receive public recognition
in a seasonal "Dijon Ville" magazine distributed throughout the
city to keep its residents updated on "everything Dijon". They
also vote on the "best" store signs in Dijon. Some are quite charming
and very creative. Check them out by clicking here. |
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