In 1878 a new street opened. It was just behind the old wall of the Farmers General. This wall’s destruction spurred urban development. The area saw growth especially in railway freight activity. This was near a nearby goods station. This street was initially called Rue Beloni then Rue Belloni. This was after the landowner. Avenue Arsène d’Arsonval is its current name. It was renamed in 1946.
Avenue Arsène d’Arsonval is named after Arsène d’Arsonval. He was a famous French physician and physicist. He was a member of the Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Medicine. Avenue Arsène d’Arsonval is located in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. It begins at 63 Rue Falguière and ends at 8 Rue de l’Armorique. It is 148 meters long and 12 meters wide.
During the golden age of Montparnasse many artists had studios on Rue Belloni. Number 7 housed several notable artists. Otto Gutfreund and Francis La Monaca were sculptors who sublet a studio there between 1911 and 1913. Sculptor Otto Freundlich joined them sometime in February or March of the same year. Emmanuel Guérin another sculptor resided there in 1912. Painters Victor Dupont and Yoshio Aoyama also lived at this address in the 1920s. Starting in 1920 painter Adolphe Milich and his wife Carla lived and worked in a studio at number 4.
Avenue Arsène d’Arsonval’s history echoes the artistic pulse of early 20th century Paris. Its quiet streets whisper stories of renowned sculptors and painters. They worked in modest studios. Their works eventually became iconic. Imagine the creative energy that filled these buildings. It’s palpable even today. Their legacy is subtly present. It’s etched into the very fabric of this unassuming avenue.
Avenue Arsène d’Arsonval is more than just a street. It is a testament to the artistic legacy of Montparnasse. It represents a time of significant artistic growth in Paris. It’s a reminder of the people who lived and worked there. Their contributions to art continue to resonate today. It is a hidden gem. It’s waiting to be discovered by those who wander its quiet length.