Rue Verdun
Encyclopedia
Rue Verdun, or Verdun Street, is an upscale commercial and residential street in Beirut
, Lebanon
. The street, which is a major shopping center and tourist attraction, was named in honor of the Battle of Verdun
during World War I
. However, "Verdun" remains the street's unofficial name. It is officially named Rachid Karami Street, after Lebanon's late Prime Minister who was assassinated during the Lebanese Civil War
. It boasts several expensive boutiques selling branded fashion by world-renowned Designers. Rue Verdun is conveniently close to embassies and major companies, most importantly the BLOM Bank Headquarters - Lebanon's Nb. 1 bank in terms of annual revenues. It is also only 2 km away from the regional Head-office of the UNESCO, 5 km away from the Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center
, and a 10 minute walk from the Corniche Beirut
. The Municipality of Beirut has several plans to revamp the street starting with redirecting traffic to go in one-way direction from north to south, to replacing the pavement with cobblestone and installing new street furniture.
, Armani, Christian Dior
, Springfield Timberland
, Oysho, Mango
, and Zara. Shops and boutiques are distributed among several shopping centers and along the street's sidewalks forming a retail haven for all shopping-addicts. The most famous of these is the Verdun 732 Center and Dunes Mall.
has been dotting the Verdun street-scape since 1951, and is one of Beirut's most prominent Francophone schools. The Druze
Center is the seat of the high sheik of the Druze Sect in Lebanon, also a notable Verdun Landmark. The "Rashid Karami" memorial statue, after whom the street is named, is also present on this lively avenue of shops ans cafes. Dar El-Fatwa will join the Verdun family of landmarks in its soon-to-be-constructed Headquarters on a currently empty lot on the street. In front of the Dunes Center lies Verdun's most recognizable landmark: a golden fountain courtesy of the Verdun Traders Association. Verdun is also home to several politicians who reside in the street's high-end luxury Apartments. The most famous are Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri
, Former PM Najib Mikati
, and the Late MP Walid Eido
.
welcomes the visitors on its prime location on the entrance of Rue Verdun. Another hotel is the Holiday Inn
, rising graciously above the bustling Dunes Center. Lying on the intersection of Verdun and Hamra is the elegant Bristol Hotel, an old-age landmark and witness to Verdun's development over the years. Joining the hotel family of Verdun soon is the Staybridge Suites
, which is still under construction in a strikingly 22-storey-high tower.
Several Food and Beverage Outlets line the sidewalks of Verdun. Those range from international franchise coffee shops and diners to local restaurants offering popular national dishes. International Cuisine lovers will definitely indulge in what Verdun's wide array of global restaurants have to offer. The Sleek Concorde and Dunes Centers offer you unforgettable moments with large cinema halls and entertainment arcades including bowling alleys and billiard rooms.
The Verdun Shopping and Street Festival is a guaranteed top turn with infectious energy. It hosts a huge selection of street performances by hugely versatile and highly skilled acrobats and circus performers. Other parts of the festival feature speed painters that execute their works live, with speed, dexterity and attitude creating incredible artworks and artistic oddities. The Festival also offers Harley Davidson street Parades, live music performances and tribute concerts to the likes of Madonna
.
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. The street, which is a major shopping center and tourist attraction, was named in honor of the Battle of Verdun
Battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun was one of the major battles during the First World War on the Western Front. It was fought between the German and French armies, from 21 February – 18 December 1916, on hilly terrain north of the city of Verdun-sur-Meuse in north-eastern France...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. However, "Verdun" remains the street's unofficial name. It is officially named Rachid Karami Street, after Lebanon's late Prime Minister who was assassinated during the Lebanese Civil War
Lebanese Civil War
The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
. It boasts several expensive boutiques selling branded fashion by world-renowned Designers. Rue Verdun is conveniently close to embassies and major companies, most importantly the BLOM Bank Headquarters - Lebanon's Nb. 1 bank in terms of annual revenues. It is also only 2 km away from the regional Head-office of the UNESCO, 5 km away from the Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center
Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center
The Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center is a large multi-purpose facility, in downtown Beirut. Lebanon's largest such complex, it hosts exhibitions , conferences, concerts and private events. It opened on 28 November 2001.British pop musician Phil Collins in 2005 took a part of a...
, and a 10 minute walk from the Corniche Beirut
Corniche Beirut
The Corniche Beirut is a seaside promenade in Beirut, Lebanon. Lined with palm trees, the waterfront esplanade offers visitors a magnificent view of the Mediterranean and the summits of Mount Lebanon to the east...
. The Municipality of Beirut has several plans to revamp the street starting with redirecting traffic to go in one-way direction from north to south, to replacing the pavement with cobblestone and installing new street furniture.
Shopping
Verdun is Lebanon's Answer to "Fifth Avenue". It occupies a distinct place in the Lebanese Shopping and Entertainment Scene. You can find top names like Massimo DuttiMassimo Dutti
Massimo Dutti is a company belonging to the Spanish Inditex group dedicated to the manufacturing of clothing. It was created in 1985 and its product range was limited to men's clothing....
, Armani, Christian Dior
Christian Dior
Christian Dior , was a French fashion designer, best known as the founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, also called Christian Dior.-Life:...
, Springfield Timberland
The Timberland Company
The Timberland Company is an American manufacturer and retailer of outdoors wear with a focus on footwear. Its three key locations are in Stratham, New Hampshire; Danville, Kentucky; and Ontario, California....
, Oysho, Mango
Mango (clothing)
Mango, stylized MANGO, is a clothing design and manufacturing company. Isak Andic is the president.Its goal is "to be present in every city" in the world...
, and Zara. Shops and boutiques are distributed among several shopping centers and along the street's sidewalks forming a retail haven for all shopping-addicts. The most famous of these is the Verdun 732 Center and Dunes Mall.
Landmarks
Verdun's longtime neighbors are very diverse, thus chipping in to the street's vibrant and stylish identity. Lycée Franco-Libanais VerdunLycée Franco-Libanais Verdun
The Lycée Franco-Libanais Verdun, commonly known as the Lycée Verdun, is a French lycée located in the upscale Rue Verdun in Beirut, Lebanon...
has been dotting the Verdun street-scape since 1951, and is one of Beirut's most prominent Francophone schools. The Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
Center is the seat of the high sheik of the Druze Sect in Lebanon, also a notable Verdun Landmark. The "Rashid Karami" memorial statue, after whom the street is named, is also present on this lively avenue of shops ans cafes. Dar El-Fatwa will join the Verdun family of landmarks in its soon-to-be-constructed Headquarters on a currently empty lot on the street. In front of the Dunes Center lies Verdun's most recognizable landmark: a golden fountain courtesy of the Verdun Traders Association. Verdun is also home to several politicians who reside in the street's high-end luxury Apartments. The most famous are Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri
Nabih Berri
Nabih Berri is the Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon. He heads the mostly Shi'a Amal Movement.-Biography:He was born in Bo, Sierra Leone to Lebanese parents. He went to school in Tebnine and Ain Ebel in southern Lebanon and later studied at the Makassed and the Ecole de la Sagesse in Beirut...
, Former PM Najib Mikati
Najib Mikati
Najib Azmi Mikati is a Lebanese politician, billionaire and is the current Prime Minister of Lebanon since 13 June 2011. From April 2005 to July 2005 he was Prime Minister of Lebanon in a caretaker government...
, and the Late MP Walid Eido
Walid Eido
Walid Eido was a Lebanese politician and member of the Current for the Future Lebanese political movement and an MP in the Lebanese Parliament. He was also a member of the March 14 Coalition...
.
Tourism and entertainment
Verdun is home to a number of tourism facilities that offer the best quality of hospitality and service. Four Points by SheratonFour Points by Sheraton
Four Points by Sheraton is a Starwood Hotels & Resorts hotel brand, targeted towards business travelers and small conventions. The Four Points is Starwood's 3rd largest brand and is found in over 24 different countries with around 149 properties worldwide....
welcomes the visitors on its prime location on the entrance of Rue Verdun. Another hotel is the Holiday Inn
Holiday Inn
Holiday Inn is a brand of hotels, formally a economy motel chain, forming part of the British InterContinental Hotels Group . It is one of the world's largest hotel chains with 238,440 bedrooms and 1,301 hotels globally. There are currently 5 hotels in the pipeline...
, rising graciously above the bustling Dunes Center. Lying on the intersection of Verdun and Hamra is the elegant Bristol Hotel, an old-age landmark and witness to Verdun's development over the years. Joining the hotel family of Verdun soon is the Staybridge Suites
Staybridge Suites
Staybridge Suites is an all-suite, residential-style brand of hotels within the InterContinental Hotels Group . The brand targets extended-stay and corporate travelers. There are more than 180 Staybridge Suites hotels open in the United States, Britain, Canada, Mexico and Latin America...
, which is still under construction in a strikingly 22-storey-high tower.
Several Food and Beverage Outlets line the sidewalks of Verdun. Those range from international franchise coffee shops and diners to local restaurants offering popular national dishes. International Cuisine lovers will definitely indulge in what Verdun's wide array of global restaurants have to offer. The Sleek Concorde and Dunes Centers offer you unforgettable moments with large cinema halls and entertainment arcades including bowling alleys and billiard rooms.
Verdun Street Festival
Verdun is one of Beirut's most prestigious residential neighborhoods where also some of the most important fashion boutiques are found. All aspects of luxury are readily accessible to the visitor in Verdun where cinemas, coffee shops and restaurants are the main attraction. The Verdun Shopping and Street Festival is the jewel in Verdun's crown of entertainment.The Verdun Shopping and Street Festival is a guaranteed top turn with infectious energy. It hosts a huge selection of street performances by hugely versatile and highly skilled acrobats and circus performers. Other parts of the festival feature speed painters that execute their works live, with speed, dexterity and attitude creating incredible artworks and artistic oddities. The Festival also offers Harley Davidson street Parades, live music performances and tribute concerts to the likes of Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
.