Is it possible that Rue Chaptal holds secrets of Parisian artists and thinkers? It certainly does. This street whispers tales of creativity, innovation, and perhaps a little bit of madness. Rue Chaptal, opened around 1825, connects Rue Blanche to Rue Pigalle. It sits on land once owned by the family of Jean-Antoine Chaptal. He was the Comte de Chanteloup and a chemist.
Jean-Antoine Chaptal founded chemical factories. He even served as Minister of the Interior from 1800 to 1804. Rue Chaptal is rich with the history of Paris. At number 9, stood the Galerie Goupil. The Van Gogh brothers, Theo and Vincent, worked at this famous art gallery. Also at number 9, Iannis Xenakis lived here. He was an engineer and architect who collaborated with Le Corbusier. Xenakis was renowned for his music and research.
Serge Gainsbourg grew up at 11bis. A plaque commemorates him. Across the street at number 10, look up. The building was constructed in 1937 for SACEM. A sculpted frieze adorns the cornice. It depicts a harpist and a violinist. Angels surround them playing music. At number 16, lies the Musée de la Vie Romantique. The painter Ary Scheffer owned this property from 1830 to 1858. He hosted celebrities such as Chopin, George Sand, and Liszt. It became a haven for culture.
The Hot Club de France was located at number 22. It became a legendary spot for jazz musicians. At 20bis, within the small Cité Chaptal, stood the Théâtre du Grand Guignol. From 1897 to 1962, its frightening plays thrilled audiences. It is now the International Visual Theater.
The memory of Verlaine lingers here. As a difficult child, he boarded at the Institution Landry at number 32. He attended classes at the Lycée Condorcet. Later, as a recognized poet, he frequented Nina de Villard’s salon at number 17. She was the wife of Hector Caillas and muse to the Parnassians. The Goncourt brothers described it as a workshop of cerebral derangement that created eccentrics and madmen.
At number 26, the Bibliothèque Chaptal occupies the Hôtel de Sérigny. This beautiful mansion was once the home of Thiebaut. He was a famous founder in the 10th arrondissement. Rue Chaptal is described as chic. Simenon featured it in his novels. Commissaire Maigret stakes out a café on the corner of Rue Henner. From here he watches a wealthy family in their mansion on Rue Chaptal.