Picture this. You stand before Rue du Bas Boulard a seemingly ordinary street in Paris. Yet its unassuming facade hides a rich history. Rue du Bas Boulard located in the 14th arrondissement wasn’t always called this. It began life in 1838 as Rue du Grenier-aux-Fourrages in the Petit-Montrouge area. This was before the area even became part of Paris. Imagine a time before the bustling city swallowed up this small village.
The name change to Rue Boulard occurred later. It honors Michel-Jacques Boulard a remarkable figure. Boulard started life humbly. He spent his early years in a hospice. However he rose to become a successful tapestry maker for Napoleon I. His later life was dedicated to philanthropy. He left a substantial legacy. This legacy funded the construction of the St-Michel Hospice.
This isn’t the only legacy Rue Boulard holds. Number 36 served as a recruitment office during the Paris Commune in 1871. A time of great upheaval in the city’s history. Number 46 once housed the famous Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. A philosopher and an early proponent of anarchism. Proudhon lived there with his family in the 1850s.
Rue Boulard continued to evolve. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries it attracted artists. Some notable residents include the painter Emile Savitry and even the famous post-impressionist Paul Gauguin. He stayed for a while at number 29. This number housed several individual pavilions with gardens. Each providing a private sanctuary for creative minds.
The street became a hub for creative energy. The area housed many workshops. Number 7 housed the famous Charles Hallé. He was a decorator and creator of carnival floats. His workshop contributed to the lively atmosphere of the Mi-Carême celebrations. These festivals involved elaborate floats and parades. Rue Boulard therefore played a key role in the city’s cultural life.
Today the Rue du Bas Boulard stands as a testament to Paris’s ever-changing character. It silently bears witness to centuries of history. From its humble beginnings as a rural lane to its vibrant artistic past. The street is a reminder that even the most ordinary places can hold extraordinary stories. The legacy of Rue du Bas Boulard quietly echoes through the Parisian streets. Its past serves as a fascinating glimpse into the city’s dynamic history.