Urban Planning:

Paris possesses a certain je ne sais quoi as well as an identifiable appearance - thanks in large measure to the grand, wide, often tree-lined boulevards that march in straight lines through the city, fringed with bustling cafés and tempting patisseries. But this isn’t how Paris looked at the time of the Revolution in the late 18th Century. The city is one of the most striking examples of rational urban planning, conducted in the middle of the nineteenth century during the “Second Empire” of Napoleon III with the goal of easing congestion in the dense network of medieval streets.

It’s not hard to see how the redesign, conducted by Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann at the emperor’s behest, transformed Parisian life. You only have to compare the cityscape today with the narrow, convoluted passageways of the Marais or Montmartre districts, two of the few parts of Paris largely untouched by Haussmann’s plans. Some would argue that the narrow winding streets of these two arrondissements have more character and charm than the angular boulevards. Both of these unplanned neighbourhoods still have a reputation for being a bit “edgy” - indeed according to our walking tours guide, many Parisians will not venture into MontMartre or Le Marais for fear of their personal safety. Incidentally, these concerns are not reflected in the real estate prices. Perhaps because these arrondissements were “counter culture” they became the preferred homes for artists and writers, philosophers and dancers.

Part of Haussman’s planning process was to consider the street vista - the design or location of buildings was an integral part of the street layout. Just to take one small example the streets around L’Eglise Saint Augustin on Blvd Malesherbes were designed to provide a clear view and “counterweight” to La Madelaine, whilst also being visible from the Arc de Triomphe. Few other cities have the same “feel” - although film companies have used Budapest as a substitute for Paris. For example, both Maigret series starring Michael Gambon then Rowan Atkinson used Budapest as a cheaper film location than Paris.