Carpe Horas

The Site of the Barricade

Historical Location: At the intersection of the rue de la Chanverrerie (Chanvrerie) and the rue Mondétour

Modern Location: At the intersection of the rue Rambuteau and the rue Mondétour

Metro stop: Les Halles

Notes: The climax of the novel takes place in the redoubt of the ill-fated barricade in the rue de la Chanvrerie. Hugo describes its precise location amidst the tangle of streets between the Halles and the rue Saint-Denis, but reconstructions in the mid-19th century obliterated the original maze of slums and alleys: the rue de la Chanvrerie was not so much renamed as swallowed up by the rue Rambuteau. Nevertheless, many of the original streets survive--even if Corinthe has been replaced by a lingerie shop. (As of 2010, the lingerie shop has been replaced by a vintage clothing store.)

Map of the site in the 1830s  Map of the site today

Click on the thumbnails to view the full photos.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


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