3-043-856 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Ruins of the Grenier d'Abondance, Paris, 1871. The last of the Paris Commune. 'The buildings of the Greniers de Reserve, or Greniers d'Abondance, were immense sheds, erected by order of Napoleon I., in which were usually deposited the stores of flour for the city of Paris. It was here that, during the Prussian siege, the reserve was collected which supplied the capital for five months. But, as these warehouses were very large, they used one half as a depot, and even as a manufactory, for military clothes and boots. When lately the Commune anticipated a fresh siege, they sent to all the merchants, gratuitously offering them this immense establishment as a place of safety for their goods. It may be supposed that some had confidence in this offer, and placed their goods of all kinds in the hands of the Commune. The Commune insured them against risks of accidental fire, but ultimately burnt the whole place, "for political and strategical reasons," or rather, perhaps, from malice, to revenge upon all owners of private property the defeat of the Red Republican cause'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.