In this part, I present to you a place full of history and at the same time fantastic : The history of the Joilimont observatory.
This wonderful place is known to Toulouse resindets like myself, but few have actually been there.
I have honesty to say that as administrator of the Toulouse blog, it is a little thanks to you that able to discover this place for the first time.
I was not disappointed !!! .
The history :
Initially, it was " François Garigny " a brillant engineer from the Academy of Sciences, who had is own observatory on the terrace of his house in Toulouse.
It was in 19th century that the Academy of Sciences was establihed on the highest point of Toulouse : " Calvinet hill " , which at that time was in the country side.
Between 1878 and 1908 the Toulouse observatory was modernized under the direction of " Benjamin Bayot" .
The Toulouse observer along with 17 others around the world participated in the creation of the " Sky map " .
Until 1966 on less than 10 000 photos were taken.
In 1970, Toulouse was growing a lot, the decision was made the transfer of all activities to Pic-du-Midi in the Hautes-Pyrénées.
But astronomy in still present on the scene.
Indeed, the place hosts the Academy of Air and Space and the Popular Astronomy Society.
They have worked in close collaboration with the Pic-du-Midi since 1981.
This hill represents the highest point of view from Toulouse and has not finished being a sort of : " celestial hill " .
The space and builingings :
The main building is neoclassical in style with its monumental staircase and large columns housing accommodation and an intrunment room.
In the park, the three observation domes house the telescope and measuring instruments.
Since 1987, all of the buidings on this site have been classified as historical monuments of France.
The garden :
The landscaperd garden, very well maintained quiet and with play areas for children, has been open to the public since 1982.
It is a true haven of peace.
When I was there , I regretted not having taken a book or my snack because this garden is so pleasant and silent despite being in the city.
The monument commemorates the battle of April 10, 1814 :
It is located just before the entrance to the observatory and is called : " The column " .
It is made of terracotta bricks and commemorates the last battle of the empire on French soil.
It is the end of the armies of the world famous " the Corsican ogre " : Napoléon.
Indeed pushed out of Spain and installing these last defenses in Toulouse, after six years of siege, he lost the war on April 10, 1814.
Toulouse has always had close links with Spain.
This is why the inhabitants of Toulouse celebrates the departure of Napoleon and welcomed the victorious European army coalition, led by " General Wellington ".
This monulent was inaugurated in 1839 and built by the famous Toulousern architect " Urabin Vitry " .
In this place 150 soldiers were buried.
A historical table traces the maneurvers of the armies on the ground.
Adress : 1 avenue Camille-Flammarion 31 500 Toulouse.
Precision : Find all the contacts of the Observatory of Jolimont Toulouse in the diary' s Toulouse blog.
That's all for today my friends.
I hope that you will have pleasure to discivering this magnificent and atypical space from Toulouse.
I wish you an enjoy reading.
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Greetings Franck.