Plans for the Saint Louis district
were drawn up around 1685. In 1737, on the location planned at the
time, Louis XV granted permission to two businessmen to build a group of
"sheds" for housing the stalls for a new market. These sheds were laid
out in squares around the crossroads of rue Royale and rue d'Anjou. But
the market never managed to attract customers, so the sheds were lifted
up and turned into dwellings by 1755.
Threatened with destruction
under Napoleon III, they were rescued and now constitute a remarkable
Eighteenth Century urban complex.
The cottages still have businesses on their ground floors, contributing to the district's charm.
Text from: http://www.versailles-tourisme.com
Pictures by MSW
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