How many streets can claim a connection to an American girls’ club and a renowned university? The Allée de Chevreuse may surprise you. It is more than just a street. Let’s explore its hidden stories.
The Allée de Chevreuse owes its name to the old road to Chevreuse. This road also included Rue Raymond-Losserand and Rue Auguste-Mie. It once stretched from the old gates of Paris. The road was also known as the “old road of Vanves”.
Interestingly, the street’s path has shifted over time. In 1210, it was noted as bordering the fief of the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It led to Vanves and Issy. By the early 17th century, the “old road of Vanves” started at Rue d’Enfer.
However, Louis XIII allowed the Chartreux monks to annex part of it in 1618. This annexation compensated them for land used for the Luxembourg park. By 1760, the road still ran from Rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs to Vanves. Yet it became less important. No passage was made for it in the Wall of the Farmers-General in 1786.
By 1791, only the current Rue de Chevreuse remained within the wall. Outside the wall, the road served the Charité mill. In 1824, the Montparnasse cemetery erased much of the remaining section. Only a short segment survived. It became Rue Auguste-Mie in 1885. The mill itself remained. It stood as a final marker of the old road to Chevreuse.
Today, the Allée de Chevreuse is home to Reid Hall at number 4. Reid Hall has a rich history. In 1834, Jean-Jacques Keller founded the Pension Keller here. This boarding house welcomed notable students including André Gide.
In 1892, Elizabeth Mills Reid bought the site. She was an American philanthropist. Her husband, Whitelaw Reid, was the US ambassador to France. Reid established the American Girls’ Club in Paris. It was a center for American artists. The building was renamed Reid Hall in the early 20th century. During World War I, it served as a clinic. The American Red Cross later occupied it.
In 1964, Reid Hall was bequeathed to Columbia University. Today, it houses Columbia University’s Paris campus. Since 1922, the French Association of University Women Graduates has had its headquarters here.
The Allée de Chevreuse offers a glimpse into Parisian history. It connects an ancient road with cultural and academic landmarks. It has evolved from a simple path to a street. It is a street with a story of education, art, and international exchange.