Pre-Haussmanian buidlings in Paris
 

I am looking forward to reading "The House I Loved" by Tatiana de Rosnay when it becomes available in February 2012. I just read a short excerpt from the book (at the back of A Secret Kept, which I enjoyed). In her author's notes, she points out some ancient buildings that still exist at rue du Dragon between Haussmanian structures.

So, I am curious to know more about other structures that survived the Napoleon III ordered modernization of Paris by Baron Hauussmann. I am also interested in this topic, as well, so suggested reading ( I am aware of The Kill, by Zola) or just things you know about this series of events, would be of interest to me.

I will be on the lookout for the buildings she has mentioned when I am in Paris in November. I am curious to know what else I might find!

My building is pre-Haussmannian since it is in an area with not too many Haussmannian buildings. For example it is only three floors high. These areas are said to have <i>dents creuses</i> (missing teeth) because it makes for an uneven skyline which quite a few people find charming after the boring (?) uniformity of so many of the Haussmann streets.

Pick up a copy of Leonard Pitt's book Walks through Lost Paris. Several buildings and areas around rue St Antoine in the Marais are survivors from the 1600's and before.

There's a half-timbered house on Rue Volta, north of the Marais, that dates from the 17th-century. I wandered up to look at it last time we were in Paris.

Many of the Marais buildings are earlier, too -- you can sometimes see exposed joists inside and can tell by their proportions that they're much older.

Let's not forget the Place de Voges...

Make that Place de Vosges... :)

Paris Walks has a Medieval walking tour on November 13.

http://www.paris-walks.com/cariboost...LKS_202_20.pdf

There are two 14th century houses on rue François Miron near the Hôtel de Ville and old houses on rue des Barres and rue Volta. At 51 rue de Montmorency is the famous 1407 house of alchemist Nicolas Flamel.

Throughout the city there are still a lot of 17th and 18th century apartment buildings as well as a few Renaissance buildings (especially in the Marais).

These 20 pictures will show you different Parisian styles throughout the centuries, half of them being pre-Haussmanian.
http://www.linternaute.com/paris/mag...isiennes.shtml

Leonard Pitt's book "Walks through Lost Paris" is the key to your search. It is exclusively about pre-Haussmann buildings and neighborhoods. He features many photos spotlighting these buildings, and reproduces old paintings and drawings that show how the neighborhoods looked before 1870. Highly recommended.

Thanks all, especially Geonev...love reading about Paris!

Kerouac, still waiting to be invited over for that can of fruit drink left from the Ganesha festival!