The bld Haussmann gap

Six months ago today to the day that the prefect of the Seine gave the first pickaxe in the hotel of the Baron de Soubeyran.

Between rue Taitbout and rue Laffitte, the first section, work was actively carried out. The breakthrough is done. In the Rue Laffitte, passers-by who, between the palisades, gaze at the wasteland, see only rusty iron bars lying on powdered stones.

But a building stands in this construction site like a spared house rising from the ruins of a devastated village.

The expropriated tenants will leave. This last building thrown down, it will remain to carry out the road works to be finished with the first section.

"It will be done towards the end of next year," the foreman told us. This boulevard will then be extended to rue Laffitte.

It will still be necessary to demolish the buildings that are on the future route, between the streets Laffitte and Le Peletier, and Le Peletier and Drouot.

The tenants of these buildings did not leave until 1925. The demolition work, immediately put out to tender, was quickly carried out, and the demolition of the entire façade of the boulevard des Italiens between rue Le Peletier and rue Drouot significantly changed the aspect of the Grands Boulevards: the boulevard des Italiens, the extended boulevard Haussmann and rue Chauchat, the rue Drouot, the boulevard, Montmartre, the rue de Richelieu will meet in a vast crossroads where the metro line 09 will end.

The realization of the most beautiful way of penetration will perhaps be a consolation for those who profess to regret the disappearance of old Paris.

R.D.