Ever wondered about a Parisian street that once bore a German name? Welcome to the Rue de Liège. This unassuming street in the 8th and 9th arrondissements holds a fascinating history. Initially named Rue de Berlin it was opened in 1826. It was part of a larger development project in the Europe district. The land previously belonged to Jonas-Philip Hagerman and Sylvain Mignon. It covered the area of the old Tivoli gardens.
The Rue de Liège stretches 400 meters. It begins at 39 rue de Clichy ending at Place de l’Europe. A portion of the street is 15 meters wide another section is narrower at 12 meters. The street’s original length only went as far as Rue d’Amsterdam. It was later extended to Rue de Clichy in 1830. This extension involved the conversion of Passage Grammont. It was a process that required the demolition of buildings at the Rue de Clichy corner.
The street’s name changed in 1914. At the start of World War I it was renamed Rue de Liège. This was a tribute to the heroic resistance of the people of Liège. They bravely fought against the German invasion during the Battle of Liège in August 1914. Even the nearby metro station Liege changed its name at the same time. The name Berlin would not reappear until the year 2000. This was only in the form of the Square de Berlin a green space.
The Rue de Liège is more than just a street. It’s a timeline. Number 3 housed the artistic cabaret Shéhérazade in the 1930s. Number 9 was the headquarters of the French Rugby Federation from 1995 to 2010. Number 28 stands out for its remarkable architecture. This building is a neo-Gothic masterpiece by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. He constructed it in 1846 for Henry Courmont head of the Historic Monuments office.
Number 31 was home to the writer Georges Duhamel from 1935 until his death. He wrote a substantial part of his famous “Chronique des Pasquier” while living on Rue de Liège. So next time you stroll down this Parisian street take a moment to reflect on its rich past. The Rue de Liège whispers tales of war resistance and artistic expression. It remains a poignant reminder of a bygone era. Each building echoes with stories waiting to be discovered. Let your imagination wander through its history. The street is a living testament to Paris’s ever-evolving story. Enjoy your visit to the Rue de Liège.