The Iron Prefect: Haussmann’s New Paris

We often think of modern Paris as a timeless backdrop, but the city you recognize—the wide boulevards, the uniform limestone facades, the grand parks—was largely manufactured in just two decades by one man. This episode explores the life and legacy of Georges-Eugène Haussmann, known as Baron Haussmann, who served as the Prefect of the Seine under Emperor Napoleon III. While previous episodes have covered the Revolution, the Commune, and the Dreyfus Affair, we haven’t looked closely at the physical transformation of the capital itself. We’ll discuss how Haussmann demolished medieval neighborhoods to create space for traffic, sanitation, and military control, and why his work was so controversial at the time. You’ll hear about the specific mechanics of his urban planning, the resistance he faced from property owners and residents, and the lasting debate over whether he saved Paris or sterilized it. From the demolition of the Île de la Cité’s slums to the creation of the Bois de Boulogne, this is the story of how a chaotic medieval city became the model for the modern metropolis. #Haussmann #BaronHaussmann #NapoleonIII #ParisHistory #UrbanPlanning #SecondEmpire #Boulevards #PrefectOfSeine #FrenchArchitecture #19thCenturyFrance #CityDemolition #ModernParis #GeorgesEugeneHaussmann #RueRivoli #BoisDeBoulogne #SanitationReform #MilitaryControl #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo