Paris, Capital of the 19th Century

Writing in the 1930s, German critic Walter Benjamin dubbed Paris “Capital of the Nineteenth Century.” In the second half of the 19th century, Paris underwent a profound transformation, emerging as a modern city and the center of the European avant-garde. Trace the transformation of Paris in the late 19th century, examining the urban renewal program launched by Baron Haussmann during the reign of Napoleon III. Venita Datta, professor, French, Wellesley College Wednesday, March 6, 2019