“Celebrating this beautiful first of May!” A cheer erupts from the crowd approaching the Chemin des Barrières. It’s a scene of jubilant chaos! Imagine, right here in 1791, the very air buzzed with a new sense of freedom. The Chemin des Barrières, once a symbol of division and taxation, stood witness to a pivotal moment in Parisian history. For centuries, the city gates, or barrières, marked the dividing line between Paris and its suburbs. They were points of strict control where the “octroi,” a tax on goods entering the city, was collected. The octroi, while profitable, was deeply unpopular, seen as a symbol of inequality. The French Revolution changed everything! On February 19, 1791, the National Assembly abolished this hated tax, and the Chemin des Barrières became a gateway to true liberty. Depictions of the era show carts laden with wine, grain, and livestock crossing freely into the city. The joyous celebrations captured in these images reflect the relief and hope that swept through Paris. The Chemin des Barrières, no longer an intimidating barrier. Instead, it became a symbol of progress and unity, forever etched in the city’s memory as a testament to the enduring spirit of freedom.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to