Paris: Les Boulevards

A frequent debate in the American city concerns how high to build. Washington DC says no higher than the Capitol Building; and in Paris, heights were limited to that of a five or six story walkup, topped by the famous Garret which today can make a charming apartment with a great view. This book details the great urban renewal in the Belle Epoque, considered by many to be one of France's greatest eras. It was an era when the architecture integrated the French classes by floor height: Merchants with storefronts and apartments on the first and second floor, and apartments falling in rent cost as one trudged to the higher floors. Many did not have elevators, so everyone trudged--a definition of equality it seems. So how does this landscape look when plotted on a drawing presented to the Emperor of France and the public of the era of equality (by income)? This book informs one of the look of uniformity in architecture so one can look before they leap.

Love this book!

so heres the deal. this is an odd (not bad) book. I feel like you should see it before you buy it. it is a series of fold outs....... I thought it would be more interesting, but there is a 'sameness' about the illustrations.... but the quality is good and if you have a first hand knowledge of paris, you might find it impressive. I keep thinking the pull outs might be great mounted on foam core and hung, but please look at the size of this book, it was a bit smaller than what I thought. I thought I would spend an hour looking at this book and I spent 15 minutes.

beautifully done, a piece of history, have seen nothing like it