chris collister Oct 11, 2012:

@Barbara If the centre was being used to hurl men into space (and bring them back again), I might agree, but it just seems, on the basis of limited information, that the "honneur" might be over-egging the cake. If this is a big project, there must be plans somewhere. Is it in France? Guyana? Or neither?

B D Finch Oct 11, 2012:

Ceremonial Howard gives a good historical account, but I don't think it can be called a "Prom" and I agree with Noémi that one cannot ignore "d'honneur" and its implication of a ceremonial function. There are many examples to be found online of the French term being retained in English texts, but that is generally where Esplanade d'Honneur is used as the official name, rather than a description as it is here.

@Chris
To celebrate a launch? For protocol events?

chris collister Oct 11, 2012:

If this is a satellite control centre, why would you need a "ceremonial" area? My guess is it's just a wide open space intended to give the building gravitas, and "plaza" seems as good a word as any. Chances are there's an architect's or prime contractor's website for this very project.

Howard Sugar Oct 11, 2012:

Wikipedia gives esplanade as "An esplanade is a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or large body of water, where people may walk. The original meaning of esplanade was a large, open, level area outside fortress or city walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress' guns. In modern usage the space allows people to walk for recreational purposes; esplanades are often on sea fronts, and allow walking whatever the state of the tide, without having to walk on the beach. Esplanades became popular in Victorian times when it was fashionable to visit seaside resorts. A Promenade, often abbreviated to '(The) Prom', was an area where people - couples and families especially - would go to walk for a while in order to 'be seen' and be considered part of 'society'.
Esplanade and promenade are sometimes used interchangeably"

philgoddard Oct 11, 2012:

I like "ceremonial esplanade" too, but I'd ask the customer what its purpose might be. Can you tell us the name of the station without giving away who your customer is?

Noémi Ilona Tóth Oct 11, 2012:

honneur or "ceremonial esplanade" but the exerpt seems to be too technical so far

Noémi Ilona Tóth Oct 11, 2012:

honneur This may mean "distinction"
Can this be a "separate esplanade?"