The Champ de Mars is quite possibly one of the most famous places in Paris, since it’s in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. If it’s a nice day in Paris, the beautifully manicured gardens are an ideal spot for a picnic lunch. Situated on the Left Bank, the Champ de Mars is also very close to the Musée du Quai Branly, the Maison de l’UNESCO, and the Hôtel des Invalides. Named after the Campo Marzio in Rome, another military training field named after Mars, the god of war, the Champ de Mars is the front lawn of the École Militaire, alma mater of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Champ de Mars was also the site of Universal Expositions in 1867, 1878 and 1889 – the Eiffel Tower was the entrance for the Exposition in 1889. There are many hotels near the Champ de Mars and Paris Hotels in the 7th arrondissement.