Beneath the modern Parisian bustle lies a street with a dramatic past. This is the Boulevard du Temple. Once nicknamed the “Boulevard du Crime” its history is rich with theaters and startling events. Today we’ll explore this thoroughfare and uncover its secrets.
The Boulevard du Temple stretches between Place de la République and Place Pasdeloup. Its name comes from the nearby Knights Templars’ Temple, where they first established their Paris priory. The boulevard follows the path of the city wall built by Charles V. This wall was later torn down under Louis XIV. Construction of the tree-lined boulevard took place between 1656 and 1705.
From the late 1700s to 1830, the Boulevard du Temple became a popular destination. Parisians flocked here for leisure and entertainment. Cafés and theaters, relocating from the Saint-Laurent and Saint-Germain fairs, thrived here. The area became known for its many crime melodramas performed in its theaters. Hence its dark nickname.
In 1782, Madame Tussaud’s mentor, Philippe Curtius, opened his second wax exhibition on this very boulevard. The Boulevard du Temple was not only about staged crime. Real-life drama unfolded here too. In 1835, Giuseppe Fieschi attempted to assassinate King Louis-Philippe on this street. His attack failed but tragically killed 18 people and injured 23.
The Boulevard du Temple also holds a special place in photographic history. Louis Daguerre took a photograph of this street in 1838. It is believed to be the earliest surviving photograph showing a person. The long exposure time blurred moving objects. A man getting his shoes shined remained still enough to be captured.
The transformations of Paris by Baron Haussmann significantly altered the Boulevard du Temple. Many theaters were demolished to enlarge the Place de la République. Today, only the Théâtre Déjazet remains from the 18th-century theaters.
The Boulevard du Temple once hosted a multitude of theaters. The Théâtre de Nicolet later became the Grands-Danseurs du Roi and then the Théâtre de la Gaîté. It stood at 58 boulevard du Temple. The Théâtre de l’Ambigu-Comique was located at number 62. It was destroyed by fire and replaced by the Théâtre des Folies-Dramatiques. The Théâtre des Associés at number 52 went through many name changes. It was once the Théâtre Amusements-Comiques and the Théâtre Patriotique.
Other theaters included the Théâtre des ÉIèves pour la Danse de l’Opéra. The Cirque-Olympique was also a prominent venue. The Théâtre Historique saw life as the Opéra-National and the Théâtre Lyrique. These are just a few examples of the many entertainment venues that once lined the Boulevard du Temple.
The Boulevard du Temple is accessible via the République and Filles du Calvaire metro stations. Lines 3, 5, 8, 9, and 11 serve these stations.
Today the Boulevard du Temple may seem like an ordinary street. But remember its past. Remember the theaters, the dramas, and the photographic history made here. As you walk this boulevard imagine the bustling crowds and the echoes of the “Boulevard du Crime”.