Throughout much of time, Paris was a walled city with a fortifications stretching from Bastille to Madeleine. The construction of the wall was started by Charles V and continued through the reign of Louis XIII. It was Louis XIV who decided that the wall was no longer necessary and chose to replace it with a series of tree-lined promenades. Eventually, exquisite buildings were constructed along the borders of these vast gardens. During the urbanisation of Paris in the 19th century, popular bars and theatres sprung up along the perimeter. Finally, the second half of the century welcomed the grand époque of the boulevard, a symbol of urban fashion and elegance.
As time progressed and Paris grew, the high-fashion establishments along the Grands Boulevards were subsequently replaced by brassieres and cinemas. However, a number of prestigious addresses remind us of the rich history of this corridor, such as the Olympia Music Hall, l’Opera-Comique, Grévin Museum or the famous Rex Cinema. Approaching Place de la République to the east are two arches, the Porte Saint-Denis and the Porte Saint-Martin. Both were built in the 17th century to commemorate triumph of past armies.
It is a neighborhood that we know well and here are some of our best tips. Don’t miss Le Baraonda for its owners Conchetta and Mauricio and their wonderful, authentic Italian cuisine. Brassiere Julien features an art nouveau décor and lively ambiance and Arthur is known for late-night celebrity spotting after performances in local theatres. Finally, the most “in” gym of Paris, Waou/Grands Boulevards is a nice place to stay in shape.
