THE PATTERN OF LONG, STRAIGHT STREETS THAT LEAD TO HUGE VOIDS WITH A SYMBOL OF MAJESTY AS POINT OF FOCUS WAS CREATED BY THE KINGS
- They stem from the 12th-century space in front of the Saint-Denis basilica, by which pilgrims left the trade route to reach the royal tombs...
The Saint-Denis Basilica, which harbors the tombs, at the extremity of the expanse.
- ...which toward 1600 inspired the first straight street in Paris...
- ...where the eye is drawn to an equestrian statue of the reigning king that dominates the first royal place...
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Louis XIII
Place des Vosges (originally place Royale)
- ...and those that follow.
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The royal architype was so well suited to the new city that Haussmann adopted it for wealthy neighborhoods where revolt is impossible, as his successors did when strikes replaced insurrections:
Just as the statues of equestrian kings at the end of long, straight streets reinforced monarchy, the churches, banks, stations or other constructions at the end of arteries and ordinary streets strengthen their sponsors or simply add to the interest of the neighborhood.
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