Pont dArcole a Paris - Les Travaux Publics de la France

Île de la Cité is an island in the River Seine, once known as Lutetia, and is the oldest settlement in Paris, France. It is one of two natural islands in the river, the other being Île Saint-Louis. The island has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. It is believed to have been settled by the Parisii, a Celtic tribe, in the 3rd century BC. In 52 BC, the Romans conquered the island and established a city there, which they called Lutetia. The island was the site of several important events in French history, including the signing of the Edict of Nantes in 1598 and the French Revolution. Today, Île de la Cité is home to many famous landmarks, including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Palais de Justice. Île de la Cité with sights such as the Pont Neuf, the Pont de l’Archevêché and Notre Dame cathedral, makes it the central crossroads of the city, which grew outwards from here. Ile de la Cité is the perfect place for a riverside picnic.

Auguste Hippolyte Collard was a French painter born in Paris in 1812. He was a pupil of the famous French painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and became known for his portraits and history paintings. Collard exhibited his work at the Paris Salon from 1835 to 1861 and received many prizes and honours for his paintings. He was made a member of the Legion of Honour in 1867. Collard's paintings are characterised by their attention to detail, use of bright colours and realistic depictions of his subjects. His portraits often captured the personality and character of his sitters, while his historical paintings depicted scenes from French history with accuracy and drama. Although popular during his lifetime, Collard's work fell out of favour in the late 19th century and he died in relative obscurity around 1897. Today, his paintings can be found in museums and private collections around the world.