Corniche Beirut
{{Short description|Seaside promenade in Beirut, Lebanon}}
The Corniche Beirut is a seaside promenade in the Central District of Beirut, Lebanon. Lined with palm trees, the waterfront esplanade has views of the Mediterranean Sea and the summits of Mount Lebanon to the east. Corniche Beirut has its foundation in the Avenue des Français, which was built during the period of the Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon{{cite book |last1=Genberg |first1=Daniel |editor1-last=Poluha |editor1-first=Eva |editor2-last=Rosendahl |editor2-first=Mona |title=Contesting 'Good' Governance: Crosscultural Perspectives on Representation, Accountability and Public Space |date=2002 |publisher=Routledge |location=Abingdon |isbn=0-7007-1494-4 |page=252 |chapter=Public Space Inside Out: Beirut's Private and Public Spaces under Reconstruction}} along the seafront that extended from the old town.{{cite book |last1=Kassir |first1=Samir |title=Beirut |date=2010 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley |isbn=978-0-520-27126-5 |translator-last=DeBevoise |translator-first=M.B. |page=285}}
Location
File:Corniche Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.jpg
The Corniche, which is {{convert|4.8|km|adj=on}} long, encircles the Beirut promontory from the Saint George Bay on the northern coast of the city, turning west into Place Rafic Hariri, then into Avenue de Paris and the Raouché, and then into Avenue General de Gaulle before it ends on Rafic Hariri Avenue.{{cite web |title=Autres activités |url=http://www.fourseasons.com/fr/beirut/other_recreation/ |website=Four Seasons Hotel Beirut |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724105828/http://www.fourseasons.com/fr/beirut/other_recreation/ |archive-date=24 July 2010 |language=French |url-status=dead}}{{Better source needed|date=March 2022}}
Usage
The Corniche is a common destination for walkers, joggers and bikers. Push cart vendors offer various local snacks and drinks.{{cite web |title=Scenes of Beirut |url=http://www.laa.org/tours/tobeirut.htm |website=The Lebanese-American Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927084730/http://www.laa.org/tours/tobeirut.htm |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}{{Better source needed|date=March 2022}} A number of the trunks of the palm trees that line the Corniche are pockmarked with bullet holes from the Lebanese Civil War. Several hotels, such as Le Vendôme Intercontinental Hotel and Phoenicia InterContinental Hotel overlook the Corniche.
Modernization
In 2001, the 76 cement benches were replaced with new ones covered with colorful cut ceramics that were designed by Lebanese artist Lena Kelekian, who also designed a Mega Chessboard on the widest section of the sidewalk on Avenue de Paris.{{cite web |title=Project Name: Embellishment of the Ain Mreisse Corniche Avenue de Paris – Beirut, Lebanon |url=http://www.beirutbenches.com/project.html |website=Beirut Benches |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502052521/http://www.beirutbenches.com/project.html |archive-date=2 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{Better source needed|date=March 2022}} In the summer of 2007, the distinctive blue railings were replaced, due to severe rusting, with an aluminum railing that has been modified to make it more difficult for thrill-seekers to dive off the railings.
Gallery
File:Cliffs, Beirut, Lebanon.jpg
File:Pigeon Rocks of Beirut, Rock of Raouche, Beirut, Lebanon.jpg
File:Mediterranean Sea, Beirut, Lebanon.jpg
File:Corniche beirut 23.jpg
File:Corniche view.jpg
File:Beirut Corniche, Beirut, Lebanon.jpg
File:Beirut173.jpg
File:Beirut Corniche at Night.JPG|View to Saint George Bay
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{commons category-inline|Beirut Corniche}}
{{coord|33|54|0|N|35|28|15|E|type:landmark|display=title}}
{{Neighbourhoods of Beirut}}