Imagine dancing on the Quai de Montebello like Woody Allen and Goldie Hawn. They danced here in the movie “Everyone Says I Love You”. The Quai de Montebello is more than just a scenic route. It is a place where film and history intertwine.
The Quai de Montebello runs along the Seine. It sits in Paris’s 5th arrondissement. This quay honors Jean Lannes. He was the Duke of Montebello. Lannes was a general of the Revolution and Empire. He rose to Marshal of the Empire. Sadly, he died at the Battle of Essling.
Originally, this area had a different look. The Petit Chatelet stood here. It was a defensive element at the end of the Petit Pont. This was destroyed in 1792. Also, the annex of the Hotel Dieu was removed in 1908.
In 1799, a plan arose to create a quay. This would stretch from Quai des Miramiones to the Petit-Pont. The plan involved demolishing the Hotel-Dieu annex. However, the project stalled. Then, in 1811, a new plan emerged. It proposed the “Quai de Montebello” between two bridges. These were the Pont Saint-Michel and the Pont de la Tournelle. Only the section to the Petit-Pont was completed. It was then named Quai Saint-Michel.
Later, in 1817, a parapet wall appeared. It ran between Rue des Grands-Degres and Pont au Double. In 1818, a ministerial decision named it “Quai de la Bucherie.” Finally, in 1843, it was renamed Quai de Montebello.
Today, the Quai de Montebello is a must-see. It provides an amazing view. You can see Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. Its apse is magnificent. The Pont au Double is for pedestrians and cyclists. It provides access to the Ile de la Cite. It’s perfect for a photo.
Look for number 25. You will see the entrance to square Rene-Viviani. There is a plaque honoring those who died in 1944. They fought during the Liberation of Paris.
Besides its rich history, the Port de Montebello has appeared in several movies. It is located nearby. “Absolutely Fabulous” filmed a scene here. “The Bourne Identity” also filmed here. More recently, in 2016, “Elle” filmed a scene here. It featured a floating restaurant.
So, as you stroll along the Quai de Montebello, remember its history. Remember the films. Think of the lives it has touched. It’s more than a street. It is a place of memory and art.