“Louis-Antoine de Bougainville a name you might not immediately recognize, but it graces this very street” Ever wondered who he was and why this street, Rue Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, bears his name? This street is located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. It’s a small street with a big history.
Rue Louis-Antoine de Bougainville is named after Louis-Antoine de Bougainville. He was a famous French navigator born in 1729 and died in 1811. He was an explorer. The street pays tribute to his voyages.
The street itself is quite short. It measures only 36 meters in length. Its width spans 10 meters. Rue Louis-Antoine de Bougainville begins at 17, avenue de La Motte-Picquet. It ends at 16, rue Chevert.
Interestingly, Rue Louis-Antoine de Bougainville was once part of a path. This path led to the gallows of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Originally, the gallows were near the Sainte-Clotilde basilica. As Paris expanded, the gallows were moved further away. The new location was at the intersection of Rue Louis-Antoine de Bougainville and Rue Chevert.
After the French Revolution, the path was renamed. It became known as “petite-rue Chevert”. Later, the street was officially aligned. By decree, it received its current name Rue Louis-Antoine de Bougainville. This happened on August 24, 1864.
So, as you walk along Rue Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, remember its past. Think of Louis-Antoine de Bougainville. Picture the gallows that once stood nearby. This small street encapsulates a rich history. It connects us to a navigator. It also connects us to the darker chapters of Paris’s past. It reminds us that even the shortest streets can have long stories to tell.