Baron Haussmann

Georges-Eugène, Baron Haussmann (March 27, 1809 – January 11, 1891) was a French civic planner whose name is associated with the rebuilding of Paris. He was born in that city of a Protestant family, German in origin.

Haussmann the Destroyer of Paris

Because of Haussmannization, the 1860's was a time of intense revolt in Paris. Many Parisians were troubled by the destruction of ?old roots?. Historian Robert Herbert says that ?the impressionist movement depicted this loss of connection in such paintings as Manet's "Bar at Folies," 1882. The subject of the painting is talking to a man, seen in the mirror behind her, but seems unengaged. According to Herbert, this is a symptom of living in Paris at this time: the citizens became detached from one another The continuous destruction of physical Paris led to a destruction of social Paris as well?. Haussmann was also criticized for the great cost of his project. Napoléon III fired Haussmann on January 5, 1870 in order to improve his own flagging popularity.

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