The boulevard was built in the 17C along the existing city walls, that had fallen into ruins. It became a fashionable place to stroll along in the 18C. The present-day Grands Boulevards, the centre of theatre land, are the result of constant development: the road was paved in 1778 ; gas lighting appeared in 1817 ; the first Madeleine-Bastille omnibus ran in 1828, asphalt was laid on the pavements ... And Yves Montand could sing that he «loves to stroll along the grands boul'vards»!