The Rue de Rivoli is one of the most recognised streets in central Paris. It is a commercial street whose shops include leading fashionable brands. It bears the name of Napoleon’s early victory against the Austrian army, at the Battle of Rivoli, fought on 14–15 January 1797. After being named Emperor in 1804 Napoleon embarked on a building project to make Paris a rival to Rome in grandeur. One of the plans was that of the architect Charles De Wailly (1730-1798) to build a street that would lead from the Place de la Concorde to Rue Saint Antoine, the main transportation artery of the Marais. It would improve traffic through the heart of the city and take in the north wing of the Louvre Palace and the Tuileries Gardens.This fine engraving published by Paul-Andre Basset was engraved by Eugene Dubois after the artist Pierre Courvoisier (1756-1804). Title indicates that the image ‘as it will be according to the plans of the Government architects. Taken from Rue des Poulies’. Benezit (1911-19).