Fun fact: My great-great grandmother, Marie-Reine Rameau --married (1834) to Jean-Baptiste Roisin  and widowed in 1857-- was the first owner and the creator of the Concert de La Scala, inaugurated in December 1873 at 13 Boulevard de Strasbourg.

Architectural vision: An admirer of the famous La Scala in Milan, she wanted to recreate an exceptional venue in Paris. She had a 1,400-seat hall built, featuring a monumental glass dome 35 meters high, allowing spectators to see the sky. She was a visionary businesswoman.

Cultural influence: Under her direction, La Scala became one of the most prestigious café-concerts of the Belle Époque, welcoming stars such as Mistinguett and Yvette Guilbert. 

Financial independence: As a widow (known as Widow Roisin), Marie-Reine Rameau had a rare legal and financial capacity for a woman of her time, allowing her to run her own business and invest in real estate.

The “Brand du Cheval Blanc” inn: A historical document mentions the existence of an inn or a place called “Brand du Cheval Blanc,” which was reportedly opened by Sieur Gauthier in 1787 in the same area of the boulevard.