TEC4572007: L'Observatoire astronomique, 61 avenue de l'Observatoire in Paris. Construction 1672, architect Claude Perrault (1613-1688). First national observatory, it was founded in 1667 at the request of Jean Baptiste (Jean-Baptiste) Colbert (1619-1683) to respond to the wishes of the scientific community. It was intended to be used for astronomical observations but also to be the meeting place for the newest academy of Sciences established in 1666. / Bridgeman Images