Curious about the story behind Allée Henri Sellier? This isn’t just another street. It’s a tribute to a man who reshaped urban living.
Welcome to Allée Henri Sellier. We are in Suresnes. This boulevard is more than just a road. It embodies the vision of Henri Sellier. He was a transformative figure in urban planning.
Henri Sellier served as mayor of Suresnes for 22 years. That was from 1919 to 1941. He was also a senator and Minister of Public Health. Sellier championed social housing. He integrated hygiene and green spaces into his projects.
Before 1944, this allée was named Boulevard de Versailles. It was a primary route to the royal capital. After the construction of the A13 highway and the Saint-Cloud tunnel, that changed. In 1944, the boulevard was renamed in honor of Henri Sellier.
Sellier was born in Bourges in 1883. He died in Suresnes in 1943. He left a lasting legacy. He is especially known for the garden cities built around Paris during the interwar period. The garden city in Suresnes is the most iconic.
Before Sellier, Suresnes was a small rural village known for wine production. The village center was around the esplanade des Courtieux. It included the Rue Émile-Zola and Place Henri-IV. The construction of the Pont de Suresnes in 1842 created traffic issues. Drivers struggled to pass through Suresnes on their way to Rueil-Malmaison. Rue de la Tuilerie was narrow and steep.
In the late Second Empire, authorities approved a new road project. This would ease travel from the Pont de Suresnes to Rueil-Malmaison. Construction began before the Franco-Prussian War. Work was interrupted and then resumed. Beautiful gardens and houses were demolished. This allowed for the boulevard’s creation.
The Boulevard de Versailles was completed in 1878. It featured a 10-meter wide roadway lined with plane trees. The boulevard significantly improved access to Suresnes. The once isolated village saw rapid growth. Factories were built and the population increased. Historian René Sordes wrote that Suresnes was no longer at the end of the world.
The boulevard became a leisure destination. Restaurants and cafes thrived near the Pont de Suresnes. Parisians and locals flocked to the area. They enjoyed horse races at Longchamp and military parades.
The Gare de Suresnes-Longchamp was built from 1886 to 1889. High retaining walls were constructed along the boulevard. This stabilized the land. Two staircases were also added.
The area became a hub for bicycle and automobile businesses. Parisians came to buy gasoline on weekends to avoid taxes. In 1921, the first gas pumps were installed on Boulevard de Versailles. Car speeds increased. This led to traffic accidents.
In May 1891, an automobile race took place. On their return to Suresnes, one car crashed into another. This might have been the first automobile accident in history. In 1907, engineer Fernand Forest set up a workshop on the boulevard. He conducted research on engines for boats and cars.
In the mid-1920s, the restaurant La Belle Cycliste hosted the election of a “muse”. The coronation took place in the town square. Local associations and the conservatoire of Mimi Pinson participated.
In 1938, the boulevard was widened. The trees that lined it were cut down. During the exodus of 1940, residents fled Paris. Some German offices were set up in the municipal library. At the Liberation, Allied soldiers arrived.
Today, Allée Henri Sellier remains a vital route. It connects Suresnes to surrounding areas. As you walk along Allée Henri Sellier, remember Henri Sellier’s vision. Think of his commitment to improving urban life. His legacy lives on in this vibrant community.