The supputative remaining of the "cour des miracles" (~ rue du Caire // north montorgueil, la butte aux cailles, ménilmuche & place St Marc appeals more to my heart of former parisian than 4 septembre, champs Elysee, havre cau, Bvd des Maréchaux and other boulevards.
This is what made the barricade such an effective tool. People could throw up a few barricades and quite effectively defend a neighbourhood.
When the army showed up they had to channel through narrow unfamiliar streets.
If the tide turned against the people, they often managed to escape through a little known back alley.
The "Grande Boulevards" may look majestic, but they are also military roads. They make it easier to move troops within the city.