The French war department had completed the Thiers wall – including fortifications, a dry moat, a Rue Militaire and a large berm – around 1840.

The Thiers wall, with its accompanying berm and moat, led to a profound disruption and complication of the synergistic relationship between Paris and its suburbs.

In 1864, the boulevard was named after Jean Lannes (1769–1809), Duke of Montebello, Prince of Siewierz and Marshal of France.

Bruix, who was a Vice admiral and had resigned as Minister of the Navy in July 1799, was one of Napoleon's confidants during the planning of the November 1799 Coup of 18 Brumaire.

The final two sections of the Boulevards of the Marshals (named for 20th century generals Jean Simon [fr] and Martial Henri Valin), bringing the total to 22 and closing the ring, would not be completed until 2005.