Paris The haussmann project

From the Medieval Age to the City of Light

Antoine Blanchard

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September/2014 Visions of the City University of Groningen

Introduction
The objective of this presentation is to provide an
overview of Haussmanns Paris renewal.
To understand the interventions made during this
period, a historical background will be explained in
order to show which events and decisions led to the
condition of Paris before Haussmann intervention,
and what role the reforms assumed to transform the
medieval Paris in the City of Light.

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September/2014 - University of Groningen

Historical Context
Throughout time, Paris retained its medieval caracteristcs, as a narrow and
confuse grid, where a unhealthy, obscure, crowded place was developed.
Despite its growth, only few and minor actions was taken to improve the
ambience of Paris
Louis XIV around 1670 was conscious about Paris enviromental issues but he
preferred to spend his resources and time to create and develop the city of
Versailles
1670 Paris ramparts were removed, giving space to tree lined streets, which
would become the grands boulevards
Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September /2014 - University of Groningen

1615

1740

Historical Context
Century XVIII - Effects of the Enlightenment
The condition of Paris begin to be discussed and solutions and strategies are
indicated. Several ideals are introduced in Haussmanns renovation.

1749 - Voltaire publishes Des Embellissements de Paris, where he openly

criticizes the contradiction between Paris wealth and its lack of fountains, the
pollution of its tight streets and among other medieval inheritances
Peter Patte argues that Paris should adapt to its new conditions, improving the
streets network, creating marketplaces and wooded streets

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September/2014 - University of Groningen

Historical Context
1780 Golden decade for Paris urban planning
1783 A variety of building codes as size of constructions, the width of streets
and other parameters is ratified

1783 Louis XVI authorizes the preparation for the construction of a Paris
map
A few years later the royal architect Charles de Wailly proposes the
improvement of the streets grid. Among this, theres a proprosal to connect
the Louvre with the Rue Saint-Antoine

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September/2014 - University of Groningen

Historical Context
1851 Napoleon III coup
1852 The Second French Empire is established by Napoleon III
1853 Haussmann is appointed as Prfet de la Seine
Haussmann started to make a series of levelling maps and assumes a lot of
power since the Commission municipale members were chosen by the central
government.

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September/2014 - University of Groningen

Paris before Haussmann

Almost the same as medieval
Paris
Narrow streets
No sewers
Stacked houses
Insalubrious
Congested
Lack of green areas
No architectural pattern
Rue St. Nicolas du Chardonnet
Charles Marville

Rue Tirechape from Rue Rivoli

Charles Marville

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

Napoleon III and Haussmann ideals

Military and Political Reasons:
Spatially hamper popular rebellions ?
Larger streets are harder to barricade, provide a fast movimentation for the
troops, and its straightness allows the use of canons, however, this strategies
have been used previously in other cities, as London after 1666 and were also
mentioned before by urban planners/philosophers
Sanitary Reasons:
Allow ventilation of unhealthy neighbourhoods
Enable the installation of sewers
Other motivations:
Reach a more simetrical plan, embellish the city
Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

Haussmann reform: The Grand Cross

The first major intervention was the grand cross:
Southward expansion of the Strasbourg Boulevard, through the new
Sebastopol Boulevard, developing a north-south connection
The extention of the Rue Rivoli, joining it with the Rue Saint-Antoine

This two new axes crossed each other at the Place du Chatelet and were very
importante to improve the mobility in Paris

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

Haussmann reform: Extension of the Rue de Strasbourg

The old
Rue de
Strasbourg

1853

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

The new
Boulevard
De Sbastopol

1867

Haussmann reform: Expansion of the Rue de Rivoli

The old isolated Rue de Rivoli

The new connection with the rue Saint-Antoine

1843

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

1867

Haussmann reform: Reconstruction of the le the la Cit

The Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris was surounded by small poor houses,
Houssmann rebuilt the island replacing them with a mass of public buildings
between Notre Dame and the Saint Chapelle

1853

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

1867

Haussmann reform: Boulevard Saint-Germain

The construction of the Boulevard Saint-Germain took place at 1959 and it was
designed to connect the Grands Boulevards

1853

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

1867

Haussmann reform: Boulevard Malesherbes

The inauguration of the Boulevard Malesherbes happened in 1861 and its
described by Olsen, D as event of the year. He also states that this boulevard
wasnt constructed as a hygienic measure since the houses demolished were
new and costly.

This axe was proposed to connect the 17th arrondissement with the fashion
center of Paris, thus, encouraging the development of this area.
An aesthetic factor also influenced this Project, since was Haussmann
intention to create a balance on the Place de la Madeleine, through an Y
intersection with the Boulevard de la Madeleine
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Haussmann reform: Boulevard Malesherbes

1853

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

1867

Haussmann reform: Boulevard Malesherbes

Boulevard Malesherbes (de la rue Pasguier) - Charles Marville

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

1853
Strasbourg
Rivoli
le de la Cit
Saint-Germain
Malesherbes

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

1867
Strasbourg
Rivoli
le de la Cit
Saint-Germain
Malesherbes

1853

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

Haussmann interventions
Haussmann network of
boulevards and streets
had a mix of orthogonal
and radial pattern

Strasbourg
Saint-Germain

Rivoli
Malesherbes

le de la Cit
1853

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

Conclusions
Paris experienced a great change through Haussmanns interventions.
Within 17 years Haussmann transformed a medieval, insalubrious, congested city
into a model in iterms of beauty and infraestructure.
The employed strategies envolved mainly the enlargement, straightness, and
afforestation of the streets. The grid created also mixed orthogonal and radial
patterns.
His ideals were also presente in projects developed by the Third French Republic
and even later, what indicates the sucess of his approaches and its dissociation with
militar porpouses

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen

References
http://libweb5.princeton.edu/visual_materials/maps/websites/thematic-maps/landmark-thematic-atlases/landmark-thematicatlases.html (mapas)
http://library.brown.edu/find/Record/dc1115653318433625 (mapa de 1943)
http://www.geographicus.com/P/AntiqueMap/Paris-jean-1802 National Library of Australia, MAP RM 1378. Vallee, Leon, Catalogue des
plans de Paris et des cartes de l'ile de France, (Bibliotheque Nacionale) 1644. - See more at:
http://www.geographicus.com/P/AntiqueMap/Paris-jean-1802#sthash.R4cXd8NT.dpuf
http://digital.slv.vic.gov.au/view/action/nmets.do?DOCCHOICE=1537204.xml&dvs=1410822104845~635&locale=pt_BR&search_terms=&
adjacency=&divType=&usePid1=true&usePid2=true - Rue St. Nicolas du Chardonnet (de la rue Traversine) - Charles Marville, 1953-70
http://digital.slv.vic.gov.au/view/action/nmets.do?DOCCHOICE=1760472.xml&dvs=1410849060080~43&locale=pt_BR&search_terms=&a
djacency=&divType=&usePid1=true&usePid2=true - Rue Tirechape (de la rue de Rivoli) Charles Marville, 1953-70
Antoine Blanchard - Le Boulevard, Paris, 1970 - Oil on canvas
Encyclopedia Universalis
OLSEN, D. The city as a work of art, 1986
HALL T. Planning Europes Capital Cities Aspects of Nineteenth Century Urban Development,1997,2010

Henrique de Oliveira Lisboa September 2014 University of Groningen