Georges Eugène Haussmann (1809-1891), commonly known as Baron Haussmann, conducted at the request of Napoleon III the transformation of Paris under the Second Empire by developing an extensive renovation plan. It changed the face of Paris by bringing some unity to the Parisian landscape.

The historical context

In the mid-19th century, the population of Paris experienced a significant growth, mainly due to high immigration that began during the Empire. In 1833 there were 527,000 people in Paris.

In addition to the demographic growth, Paris started its industrialization with among others, the introduction of railways, implying the proliferation of small boutiques and factories. Social differences are more marked, the miserable proletariat piled in the old quarters of the center described by Balzac and Victor Hugo, the hovels promote alcoholism and prostitution. The sanitary conditions are deplorable and 44,000 cholera victims in 1832. In 1848, 65 % of Parisians do not pay tax and 80 % of the dead go to the grave.

In this climate unhealthy and socially fragile in an era (the 1848 revolution, labor unrest, rising unemployment) that the government of Napoleon III launched a policy of public works headed by Baron Haussmann.

Haussmann's intervention

Haussmann, who was surrounded by engineers and architects decided the creation of a public service of water distribution. He also decided to add a sewer network in Asnières which grew from 150 to 500 km, and which purpose was to carry the used waters in the Seine. Then he worked on the development of green spaces that reached 1800 hectares with, at the east part of Paris, the Bois de Vincennes and at the west part of the city, the Bois de Boulogne, plus the squares and gardens scattered throughout Paris.

But the first operation, the most important one, aimed at disemboweling the center of Paris and drawing great strides straight lined with tall ashlar buildings which were meant to house wealthy families. He thought of two main axes: a west-east axis extending the Rue de Rivoli until the Rue Saint-Antoine, and a north-south Boulevard Sébastopol, continuing in the Ile de la Cité, Boulevard du Palais and on the left bank, Boulevard Saint-Michel. Other breakthroughs will be made like the Rue de Turbigo or the Boulevard Saint-Germain.

Unfortunately Haussmann made no concession and destroyed most of the medieval Paris. This is why the Ile de la Cité was almost completely ruined.

This period of time also happened to be the division of Paris into 20 boroughs. Paris was then experiencing moments of glory: the renovation undertaken provided work to the construction workers, the population doubled between 1851 and 1871, the middle class grew, the bank and credits were prosperous, we could see the expansion of the industrial production through the emergence of department stores or universal exhibitions. But the life in Paris was not that easy. 416,000 workers were excluded from the center and crammed into houses often miserable. The "Commune" is not far

Walk with Baron Haussmann on the west-east axis

The tour starts at the Metro Palais Royal Musée du Louvre. Walk straight up the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine. You will then follow one of the most famous lines designed by the Baron Haussmann and until the Metro and "Hotel de Ville" (City Hall) you can see a row of so-called Haussmann buildings.

A bit further in your walk, you will see changes in the architecture: the buildings give way to smoother and younger facades. Feel free to leave the Rue de Rivoli to take the Rue Francois Miron and then stop in front of one of the oldest houses in Paris with its medieval-style timbered façade. Continue on rue François Miron to find the Rue de Rivoli and continue to Place de la Bastille.

After crossing the Place de la Bastille, a walk through the rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine will plunge you in the industrial age. Do not hesitate to push some doors behind which former textile mills are hidden. They are now converted into loft and other duplex. In front of the industry evolution, one can still find, but not for much longer, traces of ancient workshops of cabinet makers located in small lanes perpendicular to the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine.
Textile industries, blacksmiths, carpenters and other boilermakers animated local streets in the 19th and mid 20th century. Even today, the cabinet remains important through major retailers.