page_title: Haussmann's renovation of Paris
section_title: Paris doubles in size – the annexation of 1860
hierarchical_section_title: Haussmann's renovation of Paris / Paris doubles in size – the annexation of 1860
caption_attribution_description: In an attempt to improve the economic conditions of the Parisian suburbs, on February 16, 1859, Napoleon III presented the decree for the annexation of 11 Parisian communes, that happened January 1, 1860. The addition eventually resulted in a major increase in population that demanded a geographical adjustment: Paris would no longer comprised of 12 but rather 20 arrondissements. Artist Adolphe Yvon was commissioned by the Conseil Municipal to document the event, but his painting was initially rejected for not emphasizing the prestige of the Conseil Municipal. He created a second work that was accepted, only to be destroyed in 1871 when the Palais de Tuileries burnt down. The original painting (shown here) is the only one that remains today. It is on display at the Musée Carnavalet in Paris.
context_page_description: Haussmann's renovation of Paris was a vast public works program commissioned by Emperor Napoléon III and directed by his prefect of Seine, Georges-Eugène Haussmann, between 1853 and 1870. It included the demolition of medieval neighborhoods that were deemed overcrowded and unhealthy by officials at the time; the building of wide avenues; new parks and squares; the annexation of the suburbs surrounding Paris; and the construction of new sewers, fountains and aqueducts. Haussmann's work was met with fierce opposition, and he was finally dismissed by Napoleon III in 1870; but work on his projects continued until 1927. The street plan and distinctive appearance of the center of Paris today are largely the result of Haussmann's renovation.
context_section_description: On 1 January 1860 Napoleon III officially annexed the suburbs of Paris out to the ring of fortifications around the city.  The annexation included eleven communes; Auteuil, Batignolles-Monceau, Montmartre, La Chapelle, Passy, La Villette, Belleville, Charonne, Bercy, Grenelle and Vaugirard, along with pieces of other outlying towns.  The residents of these suburbs were not entirely happy to be annexed; they did not want to pay the higher taxes, and wanted to keep their independence, but they had no choice; Napoleon III was Emperor, and he could arrange boundaries as he wished.  With the annexation Paris was enlarged from twelve to twenty arrondissements, the number today.  The annexation more than doubled the area of the city from 3,300 hectares to 7,100 hectares, and the population of Paris instantly grew by 400,000 to 1,600,000 people. The annexation made it necessary for Haussmann to enlarge his plans, and to construct new boulevards to connect the new arrondissements with the center.  In order to connect Auteuil and Passy to the center of Paris, he built rues Michel-Ange, Molitor and Mirabeau.  To connect the plain of Monceau, he built avenues Villers, Wagram, and boulevard Malesherbes.  To reach the northern arrondissements he extended boulevard Magenta with boulevard d'Ornano as far as the Porte de la Chapelle, and in the east extended the rue des Pyrénées.
caption: Haussmann presents Emperor Napoleon III the documents for the annexation of the Paris suburbs
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