"The emperor was, most indisputably, the monarch who contributed in the
greatest degree to the embellishment of Paris. How many establishments
originated under his reign! nevertheless, on beholding them, the
observer has but a faint idea of all he achieved; since every principal
city of the empire witnessed alike the effects of his munificence and
grandeur of mind; the streets were widened, roads constructed and canals
cut; even the smallest towns experienced improvements, the result of
that expanded genius which was daily manifested. I shall, therefore,
content myself by placing before the reader a mere sketch of the works
achieved at Paris; for were it requisite to give a catalogue of all the
monuments erected during his reign, throughout the French empire, a
series of volumes would be required to commemorate those multifarious
labors."--_Ireland_.
_Palaces._
The Louvre was completely restored, which a succession of French
monarchs had not been able to accomplish. The Palace of the Luxembourg
equally embellished throughout, as well in the interior as the exterior,
and its gardens replanted. The Exchange founded. The Palace of the
University reconstructed, as well as the Gallery uniting the Palace of
the Tuilleries to that of the Louvre.
_Fountains._
The situation of the Fountain of the Innocents changed, and the whole
reërected; that of Saint Sulpicius; of the Four Nations; of Desaix in
the Place Dauphine; of Gros-Caillon; of the Quay de L'Ecole; of the
Bridge of Saint Eustatius; of the Rue Ceusder; of the Rue Popincourt; of
the Chateau D'Eau; of the Square of the Chatelet; of the Place Notre
Dame; of the Temple; and of the Elephant, in the Place of the Bastille.
_Acqueducts._
The subterranean acqueducts were constructed, which convey the water of
the Canal de L'Ourcq throughout the different quarters of Paris, from
whence a vast number of small fountains distribute them in every
direction, to refresh the streets during the summer season, and to
cleanse them in the winter; these same channels being also formed to
receive the waters which flow from the gutters in the streets.
_Markets._
That of the Innocents, the largest in Paris; the Jacobins, where
formerly stood the monastery of that name, and during the heat of the
revolution, the club so called; the Valley for the sale of Poultry; the
Market of Saint Joseph; the Halle for the sale of Wines; the Market of
Saint Martin; that of Saint Germain, and of Saint Jacques-la-Boucherie.
_Slaughter Houses._
Those of the Deux Moulins; of the Invalids; of Popincourt; of Miromeuil,
and of Les Martyrs.
As the killing of animals, for the consumption of Paris, within the
confines of the city, was deemed not only unwholesome, but very
disgusting, these buildings were erected by order of Napoleon, and have
proved of the greatest utility. The edifices are very spacious,
containing all the requisites for the purpose intended, and being also
placed in different directions and without the barriers of the city, the
eyes of the inhabitants are no longer disgusted by beholding those
torrents of blood which formerly inundated the streets, and which, in
the summer season, produced an effluvia not only disgusting to the
smell, but highly detrimental to the health of the population of the
city.
_Watering Places for Animals._
That of the School of Medicine, a superb marble structure, together with
the Abreuvoir of the Rue L'Egout, Saint Germain.
_Public Granary, or Halle du Blé._
Necessity gave rise to the noble plan of this stupendous fabric, the
idea of which was taken from the people of antiquity.
_Boulevard._
That called Bourdon was formed, occupying the environs of the spot where
the Bastille stood.
_Bridges._
Those of the Arts; of the City; of Austerlitz; and of Jena.
_Triumphal Arches._
The Carousel; the Etoile; and the Arch of Louis XIV., restored.
_Quays._
Those of Napoleon; of Flowers; of Morland; and of Caténat.
_The Column of Austerlitz._
Situated in the centre of the Place Vendôme, formed of the brass
produced from the cannon which were taken from the Austrians during the
memorable campaign of 1805.
_Place de Victoires._
In the middle of this square was erected a colossal bronze statue of the
gallant General Desaix, who nobly fell at the battle of Marengo, when
leading to the charge a body of cavalry, which decided the fate of that
desperate conflict; this tribute, however, to the memory of the brave,
was removed by order of the Bourbons, on their first restoration.
_Squares._
In the middle of the Place Royale a fine basin has been constructed,
from whence plays a magnificent piece of water; the Squares of the
Apport de Paris; of the Rotunda; and of Rivoli.
_The Pantheon._
The pillars supporting the vast dome of this lofty pile, which had long
threatened the overthrow of the structure were replaced, and the
tottering foundations rendered perfect and solid.
_The Hotel Dieu._
The whole façade of this immense Hospital was reconstructed.
_The Canal de L'Ourcq._
This grand undertaking was rendered navigable, and the basin, sluices,
&c. completely finished.