In 1853, Napoleon III instructed the prefect of the Seine, Baron Haussmann, to remodel Paris in order to make the city more aerated and healthier. Haussmann had entire districts razed to the ground to make way for streets. Star-shaped avenues were laid out around the main squares and train stations were built at the gates of Paris. The woods of Boulogne and Vincennes were turned into parks. Streets were provided with pavements and gas streetlights were installed throughout the city. In 1859, a law decided to enlarge the capital as far as Thiers’ fortifications. Paris annexed 11 villages in the operation and thus doubled its surface area.