[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

Histoire de Paris

Les Grands Boulevards
En 1670, Louis XIV décide de supprimer les fortifications afin d’aménager le Nouveau Cours ou Grands Boulevards, plantés de plusieurs rangées d’arbres, avec une large allée centrale. Sous Louis XV, hôtels et folies aux vastes jardins se multiplient le long de cette artère à la mode bordée de théâtres et de cafés. Sous la Restauration et la Monarchie de Juillet, ses deux põles sont le boulevard de Gand (ou des Italiens), rendez-vous de la jeunesse fortunée et élégante, des gandins, des dandys puis des lions, et le boulevard du Temple, à la clientèle plus populaire, surnommé boulevard du Crime à cause des melodrames sanglants qui sont joués dans ses nombreux théâtres. Après 1900, le centre du Paris du luxe et du plaisir se déplace vers les Champs Elysées.

[Illustration of the Boulevards]

One of the series of signs describing historical places in Paris. The signs were placed starting in 1992 and are also called sucettes Starck (Starck’s Lollipops) after Philippe Starck who designed them.

The sign describes Grands Boulevards, boulevards in the area of the 2nd and 9th arrondissements.

The place was photographed on the same day Click for a larger image

The illustration in the center of the sign is shown here at magnification Click for a larger image

Translation of the text on the sign:

[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

History of Paris

The Grand Boulevards
In 1670, Louis XIV decided to remove the fortifications in order to develop the Nouveau Cours or Grands Boulevards, planted with several rows of trees, with a wide central avenue. Under Louis XV, hotels and follies with vast gardens multiplied along this fashionable artery lined with theaters and cafés. Under the Restoration and the July Monarchy, its two poles were the Boulevard de Gand (or the Italians), meeting place for wealthy and elegant youth, gandins, dandies then lions, and Boulevard du Temple, at the more popular clientele, nicknamed Crime Boulevard because of the bloody melodramas that are played in its many theaters. After 1900, the Paris center of luxury and pleasure moved to the Champs Elysées.

[Illustration of the Boulevards]