The EDF tower of Cergy Pontoise was built in 1974 by the architects Renzo Moro and Guy Lagneau. It is the tallest building in the Val d'Oise. It is 86m high and 14 floors. From innovative design, is one of the first buildings in France to have a structure irrigated. The building is constructed with water-filled tubes which protects it in case of fire.

source: Wikipedia

The underground limestone quarry of Bazemont, located in the Yvelines, was exploited for its rough limestone. There are still several excavations along the quarry road. People said in the village that the steeple of the cathedral of Chartres was built with stone from this quarry.

The quarry is also witnessed the wars of the 19th century. There are many drawings of ancient time. Drawings of soldiers, praise God, graffiti. Second quarries are reused in mushroom places. You can see the remains of the culture of the mushroom into stacks.

People of Bazemont also operated quarries in manufacturing lime from limestone. A furnace that access was by way of Grignens are still at the bottom of the valley Rogère.

source: Website of the City of Bazemont

The sand quarry of Puiselet operated from 1924 to 1944. Here, the remains of a wagon that was used to transport the sand outside. The sand in the region of Fontainebleau (Nemours) is a very pure sand and very fine. As one of the highest quality sand (rich in silica at 95%), it is used for optical camera or glazing prestige (The Louvre pyramid for example).

source: Argonaute(FR) et lemoniteur.fr(FR)

The structure of the dome of the Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon was made of wood. But during the Second World War, a fire destroyed it Sept. 4, 1944. It was only that funds be provided by the state for its reconstruction, hospices have not enough money. The repair was carried out by the Chief Architect of Historic Monuments Jean-Gabriel Mortamet according to architectural plans of Soufflot.

source: Lyon patrimoine (FR)

A piece of amateur map founded in the quarry. I don't know the author of this one. Please contact me if you recognized yourself...

source: unknown

The great dome of the Opera Garnier, home to several dance halls, each with its own piano. The most prestigious occupies the entire area under the green dome. The floor of the ballroom is inclined to replicate that of the theater. A sloping floor allows the public to see the choreography. For some shows, you need a flat surface. It then adds a platform.

Source: words collected from a former manager of the opera.

One of the tanks on the top floor, with plumbing. It is assumed that this was the source of drinking water from underground center.

Quarries of Paris - Showroom mineralogy of the Rue Saint Jacques.

The showroom mineralogical most famous of Paris is the Salle Saint-Jacques. It was constructed by Major Gambier in the heart of the underground quarry system of the GRS (Great South network), just false catacombs at Denfert-Rochereau, in fact ossuaries in old underground quarries.

The side benches were used to display the site's geological curiosities. At the center of the room, a staircase dummy materialized superposition of limestone beds of the place. Each step was a sample. Originally, the name of each geological layer of rock was inscribed on the front steps of each room but this was very bumpy because too many visitors have visited illegal.

Can be found in certain geological showroom more difficult to access such information.

source: website of Zedou(FR)

A beautiful medieval cellar cave excavated by some groups in the area. 1800 tons of debris have been removed to give a breath of life to those underground. These caves communicate with each other on a good part of the hill. They share an old quarry, very small, very pretty and beautifully preserved.

Source: words collected during Heritage Days 2008