Research Catalog

Title

Paris reborn : Napoléon III, Baron Haussmann, and the quest to build a modern city / Stephane Kirkland.

Author

Kirkland, Stephane.

Publication

New York : St. Martin's Press, 2013.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

vi, 327 p., [8] p. of plates : ill. (some col.), maps (1 col.); 25 cm.

Summary

• "An engrossing account of Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann, and one of the greatest transformations of a major city in modern history Traditionally known as a dirty, congested, and dangerous city, Paris was transformed in an extraordinary period from 1848 to 1870, when the government launched a huge campaign to build streets, squares, parks, churches, and public buildings. The Louvre Palace was expanded, Notre-Dame Cathedral was restored and the masterpiece of the Second Empire, the Opéra Garnier, was built. A very large part of what we see when we visit Paris today originates from this short span of twenty-two years. The vision for the new Paris belonged to Napoleon III, who had led a long and difficult climb to absolute power. But his plans faltered until he brought in a civil servant, Georges-Eugène Haussmann, to take charge of the implementation. Heedless of controversy, at tremendous cost, Haussmann pressed ahead with the giant undertaking until, in 1870, his political enemies brought him down, just months before the collapse of the whole regime brought about the end of an era. Paris Reborn is a must-read for anyone who ever wondered how Paris, the city universally admired as a standard of urban beauty, became what it is"--
• "Traditionally known as a dirty, congested, and dangerous city, Paris was transformed in an extraordinary period from 1848 to 1870, when the government launched a huge campaign to build streets, squares, parks, churches, and public buildings. The Louvre Palace was expanded, Notre-Dame Cathedral was restored and the masterpiece of the Second Empire, the Opéra Garnier, was built. A very large part of what we see when we visit Paris today originates from this short span of twenty-two years. The vision for the new Paris belonged to Napoleon III, who had led a long and difficult climb to absolute power. But his plans faltered until he brought in a civil servant, Georges-Eugène Haussmann, to take charge of the implementation. Heedless of controversy, at tremendous cost, Haussmann pressed ahead with the giant undertaking until, in 1870, his political enemies brought him down, just months before the collapse of the whole regime brought about the end of an era. Paris Reborn is a must-read for anyone who ever wondered how Paris, the city universally admired as a standard of urban beauty, became what it is"--

Alternative Title

Napoléon III, Baron Haussmann, and the quest to build a modern city

Subjects

• City planning > France > Paris > History > 19th century
• Napoleon > III, > Emperor of the French, > 1808-1873
• Paris (France) > History > 1848-1870
• Haussmann, Georges Eugène, baron, 1809-1891

Note

• Color map on lining papers.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

In the shadow of Versailles -- A world of change -- A dreamer in the Industrial Age -- The Prince-President and the city -- A new empire -- The man for the job -- Eviscerating with glee -- The Empire builds -- Celebrating the new city -- A landscape of ruins -- The 180 million franc treaty -- The new city emerges -- An expanded capital and a new monument -- An embattled prefect -- Razing the cradle of Paris -- The beginning of the fall -- Glamour and decay -- The last fight -- Capital of a Republic.

Call Number

JFE 14-558

ISBN

• 9780312626891 (hardcover)
• 0312626894 (hardcover)

LCCN

• 2013002629
• 40022148920

OCLC

826458589

Author

Kirkland, Stephane.

Title

Paris reborn : Napoléon III, Baron Haussmann, and the quest to build a modern city / Stephane Kirkland.

Imprint

New York : St. Martin's Press, 2013.

Edition

1st ed.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Standard Identifier

40022148920

Research Call Number

JFE 14-558