“Anxiogenic” is the word that comes to mind for some drivers here at Rond-point de l’Europe. This place can indeed be stressful. It links several busy roads.
The Rond-point de l’Europe is not just a traffic circle. It’s a place with a past. It even has connections to art and grand architectural visions.
Let’s dive into the story of the Rond-point de l’Europe. It sits above railway lines near Gare Saint-Lazare. This orthogonal square was created in 1826. A tunnel was dug from 1832 to allow the railway line from Paris to Saint Germain to pass. In 2017, it was renamed Place de l’Europe Simone Veil.
The Embarcadère de l’Ouest was built below the square in 1837. Later, it was moved to the newly built Gare Saint-Lazare. The square disappeared in 1863. It was replaced by a viaduct designed by the engineer Jullien.
Six streets radiate from the Rond-point de l’Europe. These are Rue de Vienne, Rue de Madrid, Rue de Constantinople, Rue de Saint-Pétersbourg, Rue de Liège and Rue de Londres. Haussmannian buildings line four sides of the square. Each has a small garden surrounded by railings.
Gustave Caillebotte painted this Pont de l’Europe. However, the bridge was replaced with a more modern one in 1931.
Did you know there were plans for a fountain here at the Rond-point de l’Europe? The sculptor Antoine Étex proposed two fountain designs in 1839. Sadly, neither was ever built.
The first design featured a statue of Europe. She would hold a blazon of European nations’ arms in her left hand. In her right, she would hold Charlemagne’s sword. She would sit on a throne atop a fountain. Lions would surround it. Allegories of the Rhine and Danube would border the basin.
The second design was even grander. It featured an equestrian statue of Napoleon I. He would be on a globe adorned with laurel and eagles. Sea monsters holding lanterns would border the basin.
While Étex’s fountains never materialized, the Rond-point de l’Europe did get some fame. Edith Piaf sang “Tu me fais tourner la tête”. But a writer, Marcel Brion, is remembered here.
The Rond-point de l’Europe highlights a challenge with roundabouts. France has about 60,000 roundabouts. That’s a European record. Yet, this particular one suffers from congestion. It can be especially bad at the exit of Rue Jacques Hébert.
This is actually a “carrefour giratoire”. It gives priority to traffic already on the roundabout. Unlike a true “rond-point” where entering traffic has priority. At rush hour, traffic struggles to merge. Some drivers treat it like a racetrack.
Locals have raised concerns about safety. Some suggest speed bumps or speed limits. Others propose radar to slow traffic from the highway. The goal is to improve safety and traffic flow.
So, as you navigate this bustling area, remember its history. From grand fountains to traffic challenges, the Rond-point de l’Europe has many stories to tell. It’s a reminder that even the most functional spaces can have layers of history and art.