JUST BEYOND THE SIGN THAT MARKS THE RAMPART'S
SITE IS A GIANT CROSSROAD
(RUE SAINT-DENIS / RUE RÉAUMUR)
It was built several years after the first conscious working-class insurrection, when an authoritarian government had been elected and plans for transformation been determined.
(Insurrection, June 1848; transformation, 1853-1854)
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A huge crossroad, vast artery and grand buildings transfigure this part of rue Saint-Denis.
Turn right on vast rue Reaumur:
At the corner you will find grand Art Nouveau edifice. It replaces that of 1860, built after the neighborhood had been razed and a homogeneous architecture created:
It was the flagship store of France's first chain, the Félix Potin groceries.
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A large, straight artery (le boulevard de Sebastopol) cuts through rue Réaumur and pierces toward the center. To grasp the brutality of the change, walk down that boulevard, where trees and majestic buildings align.
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Boulevard de Sébastopol
- At the second crossroad turn right (on rue Greneta) and turn back toward rue Saint-Denis:
Adapted from a Google map
- The house with balconies shows where the neighborhood was torn down and transformation launched:
Corner rues Greneta and de Palestro
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In the wealthy western part of the center, where one did not fear revolt, are the small, narrow houses that are associated with Paris.
In the east are the harmonious buildings that are also associated with it. They signal rebel neighborhoods demolished and rebuilt for companies and the prosperous middle class.
Rue Saint-Denis is the frontier:
Paris in 1530 / zoom
- Traditional narrow houses, five minutes west of rue Saint-Denis.
Rue Montorgueil
- Imposing buildings behind trees in the eastern center.
Place du Châtelet
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The overpopulated, epidemic-prone city had to modernize. When, and how, it did came from fear of another working-class revolt.
More later.
End of this short section.
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