logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2023
42m 13s

Haussmann: The man who remade Paris

Oliver Gee
About this episode

H is for Haussmann - Baron Haussmann that is. He was the urban planner behind the redesign of Paris under Napoleon III. 

But what is a Haussmannian building? Who was Haussmann, really, and why was his work so important? Where can you find it in Paris? And what's his legacy?

All those questions are answered in this episode, with help from tour guide Boris Petrovic from Paris in Person (find his Haussmannian Paris tour here).

Do you like this podcast? Become a Patreon member of The Earful Tower here to support this show and get extras.

The music in this episode is from Pres Maxson.

Click here for our walking tours of Paris.

Up next
Aug 24
Ten things to do in Paris in 2026 (Bucket List Update)
This week on the show, Lina and I discuss how our 2026 Bucket Lists are going. Here's a link to the full bucket list that we shared in January. And here are the things we've done so far, that we mentioned in the show. See anything in the main hall of the Grand Rex (we saw Paul Si ... Show More
25m 31s
Aug 17
Street art, a hidden gem of a Paris museum, and the forbidden catacombs
I recount my recent visit to the Musée de Minéralogie, where Codex Urbanus has taken over with a street art exhibition "Codex on the Rocks". It was quite a fascinating visit to a place I'd never been, and it was wonderful to have the artist himself explain the impressive work tha ... Show More
34m 32s
Aug 9
The 15th arrondissement of Paris (with a local)
Welcome back to "The 20 Kingdoms" season, where I'll visit each kingdom and introduce you to someone who truly loves it. In this episode for the 15th arrondissement, it's content creator Gaby Hafner who lives in the district and absolutely loves it. Mentioned in this episode: San ... Show More
31m 38s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2025
Napoleon in Paris
Napoleon Bonaparte dreamed Paris would be the 'capital city of the universe' and much of what we see - and love - about Paris is thanks to him. The long straight boulevards, the fountains, the galleries and museums- even the bread that comes with European cuisine were brought in ... Show More
48m 11s
Sep 2023
Episode 105: The Imperial City
During his 15 years in power, Napoleon put an indelible mark on his adopted city: Paris. The First Empire was a formative period in the history of the city, but what did it mean for average people? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 
59m 35s
Mar 2023
Paris
In episode six of this new series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most beautiful, intriguing and historic cities, travel journalist Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian and author Professor Colin Jones for a jaunt around Paris. Together they stroll along boulevards ... Show More
46m 56s
Jan 2023
Paris - Visite du Marais
tail spinning
22m 15s
May 2021
57. Paris
It may just be the most popular city on earth. Throughout history Paris has maintained a grip on the public imagination, thanks to its culture, architecture and its people. French journalist and historian Agnès Poirier joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to discuss La Ville L ... Show More
54m 43s
Jul 2023
Dressed's Fashion History Tour of Paris, Part I
From the houses of the great haute couturiers and courtesans to the oldest haberdasheries and perfume makers in France, this week we take you behind the seams of our recent fashion history tours of Paris. Recommendations: La Galerie Dior Fondation Azzedine Alaïa Musée Yves Sai ... Show More
1h 7m
Sep 2021
Fashion History Now #32: Dressed in Paris
From Azzedine Alaïa to the oldest haberdashery in Paris, April and Cassidy recap Dressed's very first fashion history tour of "the city of light." Paris Recommendations: Like Minds Travel: https://www.likemindstravel.com/dressed-podcast-tour-of-paris/ Duvelleroy: https://www.e ... Show More
46m 43s
Jul 2021
Une visite guidée du Paris noir (A Tour of Black Paris)
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this special episode, we’re taking you on a guided audio tour through Paris to explore a unique side of the city: its Black history and culture! Join tour guide Kévi Donat in discovering the Black thinkers, artists, and leaders who helped mak ... Show More
27m 28s