Nestled at the junction of Boulevard de La Tour-Maubourg, Avenue de La Motte-Picquet, and Rue de Grenelle, lies Carrefour Salvador Allende. This seemingly ordinary intersection holds a story that spans continents and ideologies. Carrefour Salvador Allende, formerly known as Place de Santiago-du-Chili, pays homage to a pivotal figure in Chilean history: Salvador Allende. He served as the 28th president of Chile.
Originally, the square’s name reflected its proximity to the Chilean embassy in France. It bore the name of Chile’s capital, Santiago. However, the square’s identity shifted in 2003. Despite local opposition and a negative opinion from the district council, Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë renamed the square Carrefour Salvador Allende. This act honored the legacy of the Chilean president, a decision made in the presence of Jacques Chonchol, Allende’s former Minister of Agriculture.
Interestingly, this renaming created a unique contrast across the avenue. The square facing Carrefour Salvador Allende, inaugurated in 1865, retained its original name: Square Santiago-du-Chili. This distinction highlights a nuance of Parisian urban planning. Green spaces, unlike public roads, do not have the same formal naming conventions. This explains why the square’s name lacks the preposition “de,” as in “Square de Santiago-du-Chili,” which would have aligned with the old name of the carrefour.
Carrefour Salvador Allende isn’t just a place of political significance. It also features a beautiful white marble fountain, originally designed for Place de la Madeleine in 1864 by architect Gabriel Davioud and sculptor Théophile Murguet. Its twin resides in Place François-Ier. A stone statue of Vauban, created by Henri Bouchard, further enhances the carrefour’s artistic charm. Moreover, the entrance to La Tour-Maubourg metro station is located right here at Carrefour Salvador Allende, connecting this historical spot to the pulse of Parisian life. This blend of history, art, and accessibility makes Carrefour Salvador Allende a truly captivating destination. It offers a glimpse into the layers of Paris, where international connections intertwine with local stories.