Taxi transfer from CDG airport to the Faubourg Poissonnière in Paris

History and Evolution of Paris’ Faubourg Poissonnière

Faubourg Poissonnière, currently known as the Poissonière neighborhood, embodies an area rich in history within Paris. Originally named the suburb of New France, this locality reflects the transformation of Paris from a city of 12 districts and 48 neighborhoods to its current configuration of 20 districts and 80 neighborhoods since January 1, 1860. Despite the official cessation of the term ‘suburb’ in naming conventions post-1860, certain areas including Faubourg Montmartre, Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and Faubourg Saint-Marcel, amongst others, continue to be recognized by their historical nomenclature. Faubourg Poissonnière specifically refers to the vicinity extending along Rue Faubourg Poissonnière, delineating the boundary between the ninth and tenth districts. This sector, one of Paris’ most vibrant, is celebrated for its blend of breweries, cafes, and theaters predominantly located along its boulevard. Historically, the route known as the path of the tide or Fishmongers’ path was crucial for fishmongers heading to Les Halles. Prior to 1860, this route traversed beyond Paris’ confines, through La Chapelle and Montmartre. The subsequent urbanization beyond Paris’ walls led to the area being designated as a suburb by 1648, adopting the name New France. The principal thoroughfare of this district was henceforth known as New France, later renamed Rue Sainte-Anne in 1660 in homage to the Chapel of St. Anne erected within the vicinity. The developmental strides in the area attracted speculators like Claude Martin Goupy and Nicolas Lenoir, with Goupy’s land speculations following a sale by the Daughters-God in 1770 playing a pivotal role in the area’s urbanization.

Architectural Heritage and Development

The construction initiatives spearheaded by Goupy significantly contributed to the district’s urban landscape. According to Sr Robert de Vaugondy in 1771, the area retained the designation of New France, with its main avenue continuing to be identified as Rue Sainte-Anne. By 1789, the Pichon plan referred to it as Sainte-Anne or Fishmonger. Transitioning into 1795, the district emerged as part of the erstwhile third district under the suburb Poissonnière. The dawn of the 19th century saw the area evolve into a hub for artisans, garment factories, and burgeoning industries, extending northwards towards the lands adjacent to the pen Saint-Lazare, culminating in the formation of the new Poissonière neighborhood. In 1821, this expansion drew the interest of a consortium of financiers, the New District Poissonière Company, which, four years later, adopted the name of the new Quartier Poissonière Company. By 1860, with the advent of Boulevard Barbès, the historical route of Fishmongers was integrated into Rue du Faubourg Poissoniere, albeit with portions being absorbed by the new boulevard’s construction. This street is dotted with remarkable buildings including the historic No. 10, which once accommodated the Alcazar café-concert in 1858, replaced in 1899 by a significant four-storey edifice. Notable too are the Hotel St. Benedict Paulle at No. 30, constructed in 1773 by Nicolas Lenoir for François Benoît de Sainte-Paulle, and the Hotel Cardon at No. 50, erected circa 1773 by Claude Martin Goupy for Nicolas Vincent Cardon of the Academy of St. Luke. Additionally, at No. 52, another hotel built by Goupy around 1775 was owned by Pierre-Hyacinthe Deleuze, a painter-decorator of the Academy of St. Luke. The narrative extends to No. 138, where the historic Wallart carpentry factory stood, a notable three-storey wooden structure from 1896, now replaced by an apartment building in the early 1970s.