Green Paris

During the COVID-19 lockdown, public parks and gardens were closed in Paris, which triggered a polemic about the social role of green spaces at the heart of the French capital. In this course, we will examine how green spaces have been developed in the City of Light in relation to socio-economic concerns, starting in the nineteenth century with Napoleon III’s urbanistic vision. Until then, few urban dwellers had access to green spaces and the contrast between countryside and city was stark. We will review this evolution by focusing on several key areas in the city and the ways in which these spaces have been inscribed in an ethos about the relationship between people and nature. Instructor:  Helene Ducros