Paris architecture in the 19th century
The 19th century was a turbulent one. It saw a monarchy, two republics and the rule of two Napoleons (the first and the third). Each period brought a profound architectural shift, and the high point came under Napoleon III (1852-1870), who rebuilt about 60 percent of Paris and greatly expanded its borders.
Victor Hugo brings Gothic back to Paris
Victor Hugo (1802-1885) loved Gothic architecture (in his opinion, Paris reached the height of its beauty in the 15th century). Even as a young writer, he combined literary work with social activism, and in 1831 he published his famous novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.”
That book did more than save Notre-Dame Cathedral from ruin. It brought back Parisians’ love of Gothic architecture and created the neo-Gothic style that became popular in the 19th century. During Napoleon III’s rule and the rebuilding of Paris, which I’ll get to in the next section, Victor Hugo was living in exile. When he came back, he found that about 24,000 old buildings had been torn down to create the broad boulevards and parks we all know today.
In response, Victor Hugo managed to convince the politicians of his day to pass preservation laws that would prevent further destruction of historic buildings. This is, without a doubt, his most important legacy (beyond his literary one). One example of his success is the amphitheater on Rue Monge, known to us as the Arènes de Lutèce, which he managed to save from demolition.
Another building he saved is a 14th-century tower at the corner of Rue Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth and Rue Saint-Martin.
If you’d like to get to know Victor Hugo’s Paris a bit better, take a look at A walking tour of Victor Hugo’s Paris.
Napoleon III and Haussmann create the Paris we all know
We call Napoleon III’s building style Haussmannian, after Baron Haussmann (1809-1891), who, as prefect of the Seine, was responsible for rebuilding Paris.
You can recognize Haussmannian buildings by the following signs:
- Uniform facades.
- Every building has five floors.
- Shops on the ground floor.
- The wealthier a person was, the lower the floor they lived on, since the elevator hadn’t been invented yet at this point (that would happen in Chicago in the 1880s).
- Balconies running along the entire facade on the 2nd and 5th floors.
How do you spot Haussmannian interior design? Look for these three signs:
- Parquet flooring.
- Ceiling moldings, called “moulures” in French.
- A fireplace, used to heat the apartment.
Le Corbusier’s apartment
One of the most famous buildings designed by Le Corbusier (1887-1965) is the Villa La Roche. It’s a classic example of his style, marked by pure function with no ornamentation, open spaces, construction on pilotis, horizontal windows and a roof terrace. When you walk through Le Corbusier’s apartment, you’ll notice a few interesting details:
- His bed is raised so he could take in the view while lying down.
- A mirror on a pivot that can be turned to reflect the view.
- A door that, once closed, reveals a closet.
The Molitor pool
This is one of the chicest, most beautifully designed hotels in Paris. The hotel sits on the site of the Molitor public pool, built in the 1930s in a style that blends Modernism and Art Nouveau. Guests can enjoy two heated pools and a gym, and in the evening, a particularly chic bar on the hotel’s rooftop.
The vibe here is young, but don’t let that fool you. This is an incredibly indulgent hotel, perfect for travelers who love a chic, youthful atmosphere and don’t mind staying on the western edge of Paris in exchange for it (great if you’re coming to watch a tennis match at Roland-Garros or a soccer game at Parc des Princes).
