During the Second Empire, Paris knew under the auspices of Napoleon III and Haussmann prefect the most important works of its history. Transformations that allowed the city to enter the modern era, and that will make Paris a hygiene and urbanism world reference. Charles Marville, whose real name is Charles François Bossu, is an unknown photographer who was at the forefront of these transformations. Official Photographer of Napoleon III, he become in 1858 photographer of the city of Paris. His task was twofold: to preserve historical prints of destroyed neighborhoods, thus proving the benefit of those constructions that would bring health, comfort and safety to Paris. Find below a selection of photos taken by Charles Marville. An unique visit testimony of Paris before (and during) the great work of Hausmmann.
Rue Fresnel
