Palacio Paz, located in the heart of the city opposite Plaza San Martin (Av. Sante Fe 750) is an imposing building which fronts, sculptures and ornaments are copies or inspired on several French palaces, and one of the best examples of the French Architecture in Buenos Aires.

The palace's architect, Louis Marie Henry Sortais was French, studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris and won the Grand Prix de Rome in 1890. The owner of the residence, José C. Paz, was ambassador to France in the late nineteenth century. Palacio Paz is also the work of the Argentinian architect and engineer Carlos Agote, since Sortais never traveled to Argentina, and in fact died in 1911, leaving Agote in charge of construction management when works were still not complete.

The construction was carried out between 1902 and 1914. Two years before the inauguration of the palace Dr. José C Paz died in Monaco, for which he never had the chance to live in it, but his wife and children did.

Palacio Paz was, at the time of its construction, the largest private residence in the city, with its 140 rooms, 40 bathrooms and 12,000 square meters of covered area.

José Camilo Paz, the ideologist of this masion, brought from Europe all the pieces for the construction and decoration of the palace: marbles, iron works, chandeliers, ornaments, furniture, flooring and lights, among many other things, including the huge four-door iron gate that serves as entrance to the palace.

It is believed that Paz had presidential aspirations. He thought that the palace could become the official presidential residence.

The building consists of three wings and a large internal garden. The main facade resembles the typical French castles. The model used for the overall composition of the palace was the Chantilly Castle, rebuilt by Honoré Daumet, Sortais' teacher. The set of rooms on the main floor appears as an eclectic showcase of French historical styles. The Grand Gallery of Honor and the main dining room are inspired on the French Renaissance. The Ballroom on the other hand is Regency style. In other smaller rooms we find Louis XVI and Empire styles. 

The great honor gallery leas to the Great Hall of Honor, the most impressive room in the Palace, a Circular hall of imposing dimensions and crowned with a towering dome.

Palacio Paz is currently the headquarters of the Military Circle in the City of Buenos Aires, and is one of the few magnificent French buildings that are opened to the public and still preserve the grandeur of the time.

There's also a nice café in the interior courtyard (Croque Madame) and a restaurant  in one of the interior rooms, open to the general public.

The interior Palace can be accessed by Guided Visits only (with a cost), on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with previous reservation via email to reservaspalaciopaz@gmail.com

The 2013 Tango Buenos Aires Festival and World Dance Competition, organized by the Ministry of Culture of Buenos Aires, will be held between August 14th and August 27th, 2013.

This new edition features more than 200 shows and free activities including concerts and dance performances, popular milongas, shows, conferences and clinics, exhibition and sale of products, dance classes in various levels and styles, the grand opening and closing milonga and the competition for the Tango Dance World Cup, in which the best couples of dancers from Argentina and the world will be participating.

The Great Opening will be on August 14th, 8.00 pm at Centro de Exposiciones, with Sexteto Mayor celebrating their 40th anniversary with special guests like: Adriana Varela, Raúl Lavié, Gloria y Eduardo among others.

Throughout the World Tango Festival classes of different levels and styles will be given by renowned dancers and instructors from recognized schools.

Leopoldo Federico, Juan Carlos Copes, Néstor Marconi, Ernesto Jodos, Pablo Agri, Nini Flores, Víctor Villena, Pablo Verón, Julio Pane, Ramiro Gallo, Rodolfo Mederos, Milena Plebs, Daniel Binelli, Astillero, Diego Schissi, Corporación Tangos, Amelita Baltar, Juanjo Domínguez, María Nieves, Popi Spatocco, Adriana Varela, Lautaro Greco, Sexteto Mayor, Brian Chambouleyron, Alberto Podestá, Maximiliano Avila, Vale Tango, Los musiqueros, Miguel Ángel Zotto, Hugo Rivas, Juan Carlos Godoy, Horacio Ferrer, Leonardo Cuello, Luis Salinas, Walter Ríos, Gloria y Eduardo, Cucuza Castiello, Orquesta Escuela de Tango, Horacio Molina, Guillermo Fernández, Orquesta del Tango de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Tanghetto, José Colángelo, Raúl Lavié, Nicolás Ledesma are some of the more than 2000 artists participating in this unique event.

TANGO WORLD DANCE COMPETITION:

This is the celebration that makes Buenos Aires the mecca for tango dancers around the world. The event rewards the best couples in the Tango Salon category, which stresses the social dance as a practice rooted in Buenos Aires, and Tango Escenario, which aims to enrich the dance from a choreographic point of view. More than 500 couples from around the world measure their talents in this competition.

The qualifying rounds and semifinals will take place at the Centro Municipal de Exposiciones. The World Cup culminates in two major finals, Tango Salon and Tango Escenario, at the Luna Park stadium, on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27.

VENUES OF TANGO BUENOS AIRES:

Centro Municipal de Exposiciones: Av. Figueroa Alcorta and Av. Pueyrredón

Usina del Arte: Av. Pedro de Mendoza 501, La Boca

Teatro 25 de Mayo Av. Triunvirato 4444

Amphitheater of Parque Centenario: Av. Angel Gallardo and Leopoldo Marechal, Caballito

Luna Park stadium: Av. Madero 420

FREE TICKETS FOR SHOWS AND ACTIVITIES:

Admission to all the activities and shows of the Tango Buenos Aires Festival and World Cup is free, on a first-come, first-served basis until the venue reaches capacity.

The shows that require ticket pick-up are those scheduled at the Auditorium and Chamber Hall of Usina del Arte, Teatro 25 de Mayo, and the Stadium Luna Park. 2 tickets per person will be given for each performance.

Tickets for the Final Rounds that will take place at Lunar Park on August 26th and 27th will be available for pick-up on Monday, August 19th, from 11am, at the Centro Municipal de Exposiciones. 2 (two) tickets for one of the Final Rounds will be given out per person until reaching the capacity of 10,000 seats.

For the shows at Usina del Arte, tickets can be picked up at the Information Stand on the same day of the show, 2 hours before each performance.

Tickets for the show at Teatro 25 de Mayo can be picked up from 5.00 pm on the performance day at the theater.

For more information and complete schedules, visit Tango Buenos Aires official website.

For people who want to secure their places for special concerts, milongas, and the Finals, there are tour companies offering a full package that includes admission, access to VIP sectors and special souvenirs. Contact me to receive information about this service.