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We'll always have Paris, even in Saskatchewan

by 158 | July 4, 2009 at 05:11 am

398 views | 34 Recommendations | 8 comments

In theory this sounds

like a good idea. I

would go see it if I was

nearby.

The centuries-old Paris-of-the-Prairies debate officially ended at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.

That was when the Village of Montmartre, population 500, opened its very own replica of France's most recognizable landmark, solidifying the farming community's claim to a moniker that has been exploited by the likes of Winnipeg, Calgary, Saskatoon, Chicago and others over the past 100 years. It all unfolded to the tune of an accordion and the crack of champagne bottle on steel.

“We have the name, we have the tower,” proclaimed village Councillor Patsy Fisher.

“We are the Paris of the Prairies.”

The centrepiece of the Saskatchewan town's claim is an exact, 1/38-scale model of the Eiffel Tower.

This tower is 28 feet-

8.5 meters- tall

Location Paris, France Status

Constructed 1887 – 1889

Height Antenna/Spire 324 metres (1,063 ft)

Roof 300.65 metres (986 ft)

Top floor 273.0 m (896 ft)

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158

at 05:42 on July 4th, 2009

It seems so but if it was in a big city it would have to be taller.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 06:06 on July 4th, 2009

Lol the towering tower:) The oil derrick in Redwater is taller.

158

at 06:21 on July 4th, 2009

yes, the light pole in the background looks taller

Barbara McPherson

at 12:56 on July 4th, 2009

Good for a smile.

158

at 14:07 on July 4th, 2009

Happy 4th

anarkissed

at 09:49 on July 5th, 2009

Cool, Congrats Martemont! I'll have to come see it. I've passed by the town on my way to other places a few times. Next time I'll stop for coffee.

Saskatchewan has a very lively and vibrant Francophone population, as does Manitoba. Canada is bilingual across the nation, not just in Quebec and we have francophones choosing to live elsewhere. I don't know if Montmarte is still mostly francophone but certainly it would have been started by them.