The boulevard occupies the site of the ancient
Wall of the Farmers-General. Originally, the roadways ran alongside the wall, which was knocked down in the 1860s. Their former names were : • on the outside was the ''Boulevard d'Italie'' between Place d'Italie and
Rue de la Glacière, • but which became the
Boulevard de la Glacière beyond Rue de la Glacière, • on the inside was
Boulevard des Gobelins between Place d'Italie and Rue de la Glacière (as distinct from the
Avenue des Gobelins which also starts from the Place d'Italie) • but which became
Boulevard Saint-Jacques beyond Rue de la Glacière.
Central reservation • The central reservation of the boulevard lies directly underneath the entire width of the overhead
line 6. At its junction with Rue de la Glacière, there is a basketball court, and a "
boulodrome", for playing
boules close to the
Corvisart métro station. == Notable addresses ==