Question: Ever wondered about a Parisian street named after an artisan? Rue Desprez in the 14th arrondissement is such a place. It is a public road.
Rue Desprez stretches a modest 110 meters. It begins at 81, Rue Vercingétorix. The street ends at 98, Rue de l’Ouest. Its width measures around 10 meters.
The street’s name comes from a former property owner. This is a common naming convention in Paris. Many streets are named after people who once owned land there.
Originally, Rue Desprez was part of Montrouge. Montrouge was a separate commune. In 1863, it was integrated into the city of Paris. The street kept its original name after integration.
François Desprez himself was a fascinating figure. He was active in the second half of the 16th century. Desprez was a Parisian artisan. He worked as a “boursier” or purse maker. He was also a merchant. He was a publisher of prints too. Desprez was also an engraver and illustrator.
He first appears in records in 1556. At that time, he was a student at the University of Paris. A few years later, he became a master “boursier”. This profession involved designing patterns. These patterns were for embroidery on clothing and purses. They were also used for engravings.
Desprez moved into the printing and bookselling scene. He associated with people like Richard Breton. Breton was a Protestant. Desprez also knew the printer Jean Leclerc.
Around 1560, Desprez moved to the Rue Montorgueil area. Many “imagiers en papier” lived there. These were publishers and merchants of prints. Desprez owned a third of the house “Au bon pasteur”. He sold part of it to Germain Hoyau. He sold engravings in association with Hoyau. He also worked with Mathurin Nicolas. Later, he partnered with Martin Bonnemer.
Desprez married Jeanne Turpin. They had a son named Pierre. Germain Hoyau was Pierre’s godfather.
In 1562, François Desprez dedicated a work to Henri de Navarre. This was the “Recueil de la diversité des habits”. He likely created many illustrations in this book. Richard Breton published it in Paris.
“Les Songes drolatiques de Pantagruel” is another work linked to Desprez. These engravings resemble the styles of Bosch and Bruegel. Jean Porcher attributed these to Desprez in the 20th century.
Rue Desprez also appears in fiction. Georges Duhamel’s novel “Le Notaire du Havre” mentions it. The narrator’s school is located on this street in the story.
So, as we stand here on Rue Desprez, remember its namesake. He was a talented artist. He played a role in the cultural life of 16th-century Paris. This short street connects us to that rich history. It is more than just a road. Rue Desprez is a reminder of the creative individuals who shaped Paris.