Page 38 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

36  INTRODUCING P ARIS

The Grand Transformation

In 1848, Paris saw a second revolution which brought down
the recently restored monarchy. In the uncertainties that
followed, Napoleon’s nephew assumed power in the same
way as his uncle before him – by a coup d’état. He proclaimed
himself Napoleon III in 1851. Under his rule, Paris was
transformed into the most magnificent city in Europe. He
entrusted the task of modernization to Baron Haussmann. Extent of the City
Haussmann demolished the crowded, unsanitary streets of 1859 Today
the medieval city and created a well-ordered capital within a
geometrical grid of avenues and boulevards. Neighbouring
districts such as Auteuil were annexed, creating the suburbs.
Boulevard des Italiens
This tree-lined avenue, A V E D E S C H A M P S - E L Y S E E S
painted by Edmond
Georges Grandjean A V E D E F R I E D L A N D
(1889), was one of the
most fashionable of
the new boulevards. A V E H O C H E

Twelve avenues
formed a star (étoile).
A V E D E W A G R A M
E
P
L
L
I
A
E D E L ’ E T
C O
A V E M A C - M A H O N A V
E

E

Laying the Sewers A V E C A R N O T D
L
This engraving from 1861 shows the early
A
work for laying the sewer system (see p192) G
R
from La Villette to Les Halles. Most of the A
system was the work of the engineer Belgrand. Grand mansions N
were built around E
D
the Arc de
A
Circular Hoarding Triomphe R
Distinctive hoardings advertised between 1860 M
E
opera and theatre performances. and 1868. E
1851 Napoleon III declares
the Second Empire Viewing the exhibits at
the World Exhibition
1852 Haussmann begins
massive town-planning schemes 1855 World Exhibition
1850 1852 1854 1856 1858 1860
1853 Baltard starts work on
new Les Halles buildings 1857 The poet Baudelaire
prosecuted for obscenity
20 centimes stamp for The Flowers of Evil
showing Napoleon III
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