Lost in the Bois de Boulogne? Follow me. This path the Chemin de la Croix Catelan holds a surprising history.
The Chemin de la Croix Catelan isn’t just a pretty walk. This quiet lane whispers tales of Parisian sporting life. It borders the Jardin du Pré-Catelan. Its name itself is steeped in legend.
Some say the name comes from Arnault Catelan a troubadour. He supposedly died in 1312 while delivering gifts. The gifts were for King Philip the Fair from Béatrice de Savoie. The king sent soldiers to escort him through the forest. They killed him believing his chest held jewels. It only contained perfumes and elixirs. The soldiers were caught. The king built a cross in Catelan’s memory. This cross is near the crossroads of the Croix-Catelan.
Another story credits Théophile de Catelan de Sablonnières. He was Louis XIV’s hunting captain. He lived at the Château de la Muette. The cross might have been erected in his honor. In the 19th century crosses marked important forest crossroads. They commemorated figures linked to the area’s history.
In 1886 near the Pré-Catelan garden lycée students created the Croix-Catelan sports site. They obtained a 2.8-hectare concession. This was in the area known as the Parc aux Daims. Deer and mouflons roamed there before moving to the Jardin d’Acclimatation. A 500-meter grass track was built. It hosted the first international athletics championships in 1886. It was also the venue for the athletics events of the 1900 Olympic Games. Tennis courts were added for French championship matches. This was until the construction of the Roland-Garros stadium in 1927. The Racing Club de France held the concession from 1896 to 2006.
So next time you stroll along the Chemin de la Croix Catelan. Remember the stories woven into this path. They’re more exciting than you might think. The quiet lane speaks volumes. It speaks of kings troubadours and sporting glory. The legacy lives on. The Chemin de la Croix Catelan isn’t just a way. It’s a journey through time.