Expert: Jon Catt - 6/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: This is a history, not a travel, question.  My wife's ancestor lived in Paris at Rue St. Nicolas D'Antin No. 30 in 1853.  I cannot find this street on maps of Paris.  I found St. Nicolas, but no No. 30, and I think there is a rue D'Antin, but not in Paris.

Can you help me determine where he lived in 1853?  I am especially trying to see how close he was to the conflicts between workers and the government in Paris in those years.

ANSWER: Hello,
    your street was part of the still existing Rue de Provence. It disappeared when the Boulevard Haussmann was built in the C19th.

www.paris-pittoresque.com/rues

Jon

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I guess in replacing Rue St. Nicolas D'Antin with a Boulevard, the street was widened and the buildings on both sides were demolished.  So No. 30 would be gone.  Would the numbering system be consistant?  Would No. 30 Boulevard Haussmann be about the same place as No. 30 Rue St. Nicolas D'Antin?

Answer
Hello,
    I don't think it's possible to say. If the original street was narrow and the avenue is wide then the present buildings are not on the site of those that were demolished. There must be books with old Photos of Paris or even a collection somewhere. You should maybe do a search to see if you can find them. Therer may just be a photo of the street.

        Jon