“A victory’s echo resonates along Rue d’Eylau. It connects Place du Trocadéro-et-du-11-Novembre with Place de Mexico. This Parisian street in the 16th arrondissement is named for Napoleon’s triumph at the Battle of Eylau in 1807. Imagine the year 1807. Napoleon’s Grande Armée clashed with Russian and Prussian forces in East Prussia. The Battle of Eylau was a brutal, bloody affair. It was fought in the dead of winter.
The battle was a strategic draw. Both sides suffered staggering losses. Napoleon claimed victory. He named this street Rue d’Eylau to commemorate it. Initially, the name ‘Avenue d’Eylau’ was given before 1881 to what is now Avenue Victor-Hugo.
Rue d’Eylau officially received its name on December 9, 1885. It was opened by decree on May 29, 1886. The street was initially planned to extend to Porte Dauphine in 1866. It now ends at the Rond-Point de Longchamp. The street is 300 meters long and 36 meters wide.
Between 2017 and 2020, Rue d’Eylau faced a temporary transformation. A structure for Gaz Réseau Distribution France was built. This allowed the company to relocate activities during renovations. The street became one-way during this period.
Rue d’Eylau has many stories to tell. Number 10 is where President Paul Deschanel died in 1922. A plaque honors him. The European Union’s permanent representation to UNESCO is at Number 12. Number 14 housed the legation of Siam in the 1900s. Later, William Graves Sharp, U.S. Ambassador to France, lived there.
Famed opera singer Feodor Chaliapin lived at Number 22. A plaque commemorates him. Multi-Michelin-starred chef Raymond Oliver also resided here. He pioneered television cooking shows.
The building at Number 30 is an architectural gem. It was built in 1910 by Albert Tournaire. The façade features carvings from Jean de La Fontaine’s fables. A statue stands above the entrance.
Rue d’Eylau has even made its way onto the silver screen. It can be seen in the films Coco and Operation Tonnerre. As you stroll along Rue d’Eylau, remember its history. Think of Napoleon’s battle. Think of the famous residents. This street is more than just a path. It is a journey through Parisian history and culture.”