Tag Archives: baron haussmann

Vespasiennes: Does a Roman Emperor Deserve This?

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Parisian Fields

Our home offices are in two adjacent rooms. While exploring one of my favourite Paris websites, Paris en Images, I called to Philippa, “What’s a Vespasienne?” and was instantly told, “A public urinal.” There had to be a blog in … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris civic functions, Paris history, Paris streets | Tagged Antoine Raymond Jean Gualbert Gabriel de Sartine, barils d’aisance, baron haussmann, Cabinets d’Aisance, chalet du nécessité, Champs Elysees, Charles Marville, colonne Rambuteau, Comte de Rambuteau, David P. Jordan, empêche-pipi, Georges-Eugène Haussmann, Jennings system, les Halles, McMaster University, Morris columns, pissoirs, sanisettes, urinals, Vespasian, Vespasiennes | 10 Comments

Baltard’s Children

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Parisian Fields

It is common among Parisians and lovers of Paris to bewail the loss of the nineteenth-century market buildings at Les Halles. Those pavilions of iron, wood and glass designed by Victor Baltard stood in the heart of the city from … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris architecture, Paris history, Paris markets | Tagged Avenue Marceau, baron haussmann, Charles Marville, Félix Callet, Gare de l’Est, Georges-Eugène Haussmann, Grand Hotel des Balcons, Hotel Rond Point des Champs Elysees, Le Halles, les Halles, Musée d’Orsay, Napoleon III, Sens market, Victor Baltard | 9 Comments

The Jardin Mabille and the origins of the can-can

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Parisian Fields

Paris has long been famous for dance, and not just the glamour of the ballet. The city was renowned for its bals (places and events for dancing). At one end of the social scale were the elaborate invitation-only affairs in … Continue reading →