This line shapefile represents the boundaries used to delineate urban expansion (sprawl) limits around Paris, France during the 17th and 18th centuries. During this period, French royal powers sought to control the expansion of Paris by establishing boundaries in 1638, 1672-1674, and 1724-1729, beyond which it was forbidden to build under penalty of fines. Each time, these limits were enforced by boundary markers between which the boundary remained virtual. The 1672-1674 limits significantly expanded the building sector as compared to the 1638 boundaries. The legislation of 1724-1729, too difficult to enforce, was abandoned in 1765 for the whole of the Parisian suburbs.The ALPAGE programme aims to provide collaborative tools for the Humanities and Social Sciences and for Information Communication Technology (ICT) allowing for the development of research about the Parisian urban area. This aim is achieved by means of a GIS that includes cadastral and historical layers.