Before us lies Place Saint-Ferdinand a seemingly ordinary square in Paris’s 17th arrondissement. Yet its unassuming exterior hides a rich and fascinating history. This unassuming square was once known as the Plaine de l’Éperon a vast expanse of land. Imagine this area before the 19th century a far cry from the elegant streets we see today. This plain was isolated from Neuilly by the Thiers fortifications.
In the mid-19th century a grand development project transformed this plain into Ferdinanville. The ambitious plan involved creating a new neighborhood with prestigious street names. Rue du Comte-de-Paris and Rue de la Reine-Amélie were just a few. Place Saint-Ferdinand itself served as the central roundabout of this new Ferdinanville. The project however faced challenges. Economic hardship slowed construction. Lots were slow to sell. Alphonse Daudet even described the area in his 1877 novel Le Nabab painting a picture of unfinished buildings and vacant lots.
Despite initial setbacks Ferdinanville eventually flourished. Many of the buildings we see today date from the early 20th century. The name shifted from Ferdinanville to Place Saint-Ferdinand reflecting its proximity to the nearby Église Saint-Ferdinand des Ternes. The square holds a unique monument a statue of Léon Serpollet. This ingenious inventor built one of the first industrial steam-powered automobiles showcased at the 1889 World’s Fair. The statue a gift from the Automobile-Club de France and the Touring-Club de France depicts Serpollet in his car surrounded by admiring onlookers.
The presence of this monument serves as a reminder of the 17th arrondissement’s early connection to the automobile industry. Originally a planned monument to the francs-tireurs of Ternes was meant to be here. It was eventually erected elsewhere. A testament to the evolving nature of this location Place Saint-Ferdinand stands as a quiet witness to Paris’s dynamic past. From hunting reserves to a failed development to a thriving neighborhood. Its story is one of transformation a fascinating blend of ambition and resilience. Its simple façade hides a tale of remarkable changes. It has been a witness to Paris evolving over centuries. Today it stands as a quiet reminder of the city’s ever-changing landscape.