Paris in the Late 1980s Through Fascinating Photos

The 1980s was the decade of change for Paris. In 1981, François Mitterand was elected President of France, and during his tenure, several development projects were started in Paris.

The old, disused Orsay railway station near the river was renovated and in 1986 was reopened as the Orsay Museum of 19th-century art and civilization. The Grand Louvre, Opéra Bastille, and the Grande Arche of La Défense were also completed at the end of the 1980s. He also raised the minimum wage and family benefits, added a fifth week of paid vacation.

These fascinating photos were taken by Bobbex that show street scenes of Paris in March 1989.

Arc de Triomphe, Paris, March 1989

"Le Stryge" Chimera atop Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, March 1989

Aspiring to Higher Things, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, March 1989

Boulevard du Palais, Paris, March 1989

Boulevard du Palais, Paris, March 1989

Bourdelle's Hercules the Archer, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, March 1989

Champs Elysses, Paris, March 1989

Eiffel Tower, Paris, March 1989

Eiffel Tower, Paris, March 1989

Fontaine de la place de la Concorde, Paris, March 1989

Fontaine Louvois, Paris, March 1989

Fontaines de la Concorde, Paris, March 1989

Hôtel de Ville, Paris, March 1989

Le Chatelet, Paris, March 1989

Les Deux Plateaux or Colonnes de Buren, Palais Royal, Paris, March 1989

Les Halles, Paris, March 1989

Montmartre, Paris, March 1989

Musée d'Orsay, Paris, March 1989

Musée d'Orsay, Paris, March 1989

National Library, Paris, March 1989

Notre Dame, Paris, March 1989

Notre Dame, Paris, March 1989

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, March 1989

Over the Ledge, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, March 1989

Palais de Justice, Paris, March 1989

Paris Bourse, Paris, March 1989

Paris Cityscape, Paris, March 1989

Paris Cityscape, Paris, March 1989

Paris Cityscape, Paris, March 1989

Paris in the Rain, March 1989

Paris Nord Hotel, 4 Rue De Dunkerque, Paris, March 1989

Pont au Change, Paris, March 1989

Rainy Day in Paris, March 1989

Sacré-Cœur, Paris, March 1989

The Louvre in the Rain, Paris, March 1989

The Louvre in the Rain, Paris, March 1989

The Louvre, Paris, March 1989

The Louvre, Paris, March 1989

Theatre du Chatelet, Place du Chatelet, Paris, March 1989

Theatre du Chatelet, Place du Chatelet, Paris, March 1989

Tuileries Gardens, Paris, March 1989

Tuileries Gardens, Paris, March 1989

Tuileries Gardens, Paris, March 1989

View from Sacré-Cœur, Paris, March 1989