In the midst of the reign of Napoleon III, the transformation of Paris begins. He commissioned Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann to renovate the city between 1852 and 1870. Baron Haussmann received much criticism for his overhaul of Paris and this unfortunately led to his downfall in 1870. Should we, however, see Haussmann as the savior or the destroyer of Paris?Georges-Eugène Haussmann was born in Paris on March 27, 1809. He studied law at the Collège Henri IV located in the Latin Quarter of the Left Bank. In 1831, he entered the French civil service and became prefect of the Seine on June 29, 1853. He was chosen to execute the social plans of Napoleon III, who wanted to improve Paris after a trip to London which inspired him. This “led to substantial rebuilding of large areas of the city between 1850 and 1870” (Smith 70). This is why Haussmann lived a life of prestige, never seen before by a prefect of the Seine. During his mandate, he saw the Emperor almost every day. He remained prefect until his dismissal seventeen years later, after his excessive spending brought Napoleon III under political scrutiny. “Haussmann’s great contribution to the transformation of Paris was the resolute execution of the Emperor’s plans” (Pinkney 44). This was not entirely the case, however, as he greatly elaborated Napoleon's plans and “made many important additions” (Pinkney 44). He did this by adding new streets, numerous green spaces and public buildings. Haussmann separated the city into a geometric grid, with the majority of his “Grands Boulevards” extending from east to west and north to south. This project brings a new symmetry to Paris that it desperately needed. The narrow, winding streets that Paris knew... middle of paper ...... public parks and sewer and water systems. On January 5, 1870, Haussmann was dismissed as prefect, after his antics and excessive spending reflected poorly on Napoleon III. He died in Paris on January 11, 1891. Did he destroy Paris? Or save it? Critics differ; it certainly made life difficult for Parisians in the 19th century, but greatly improved the beautiful city of Paris as it is known today. It has also inspired the transformation of cities around the world, with the "City Beautiful Movement" in the United States and cities like Moscow adapting Haussmannian ideas to their needs. He transformed Paris from a dirty and unhealthy city into a beautiful place, which everyone would enjoy for many years. He did a great service to Parisians, even if they may not have agreed in the 19th century..