Perhaps you’ve unknowingly walked this path before. Rue Elie Faure is more than just a street. It is a tribute to a man of art and intellect.
Elie Faure was a French essayist and art historian. He was born in 1873 and died in 1937. This street in the 12th arrondissement of Paris bears his name. It is located in the Bel Air neighborhood.
Rue Elie Faure starts at Rue du Chaffault. It ends at Avenue de la Porte de Vincennes. The street is relatively short. It measures only 98 meters in length. The width is about 18 meters.
The street’s history is interesting. It was officially named Rue Elie Faure in 1961. Before that, it was known as voie L/12. The area where Rue Elie Faure now sits has an even older story. It used to be part of the non aedificandi zone. This zone was around the Thiers wall. The Thiers wall was a defensive wall around Paris.
In 1929, the area was annexed to Paris. Before that, it belonged to the commune of Saint-Mandé. For a brief period, the street was named Rue du Colonel-Dominé. This was in 1939. It honored Marc-Edmond Dominé. However, that street was later removed in 1959. Then, it was re-created in 1961 as Rue Elie Faure.
Elie Faure himself was a remarkable figure. He was not only an art historian but also a medical doctor. He is best known for his “History of Art”. This work is considered a cornerstone of art history.
Faure’s life was multifaceted. He practiced medicine. He wrote extensively on art. He also engaged in political debates. He took a stand during the Dreyfus Affair.
He was passionate about artists like Paul Cézanne and Diego Velasquez. Faure even served as a military doctor during World War I. The horrors of war deeply affected him.
Rue Elie Faure may seem like a simple street. Yet it connects us to the legacy of Elie Faure. It reminds us of his contributions to art history. It also reminds us of his engagement with the world around him. As you walk along Rue Elie Faure remember the essayist and historian. Consider his passion for art and justice. This street is a small piece of Paris. It holds a significant story within it.