Avenue Émile Bergerat

Avenue Émile Bergerat. A quiet street nestled in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. It’s a small avenue, a mere 58 meters long. But don’t let its size fool you. Avenue Émile Bergerat holds a fascinating story, deeply intertwined with a man who wore many masks, both literally and figuratively. This avenue is named after Émile Bergerat, a French poet, playwright, and essayist. He was born in Paris in 1845 and died in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 1923. Here at Avenue Émile Bergerat, we stand on ground that once belonged to the former Convent of the Assumption. The avenue itself wasn’t opened until 1928, and it received its name a year later in 1929. Bergerat, the man who inspired this street’s name, was quite the character. He used pseudonyms like “l’Homme masqué” (the masked man), Caliban, and Ariel. These last two, interestingly enough, were taken from Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” He moved within influential circles. He was an essayist for Voltaire and Figaro, and he headed the “La Vie moderne” review under Georges Charpentier. He even became a member of the Académie Goncourt. But perhaps one of the most interesting facets of Bergerat’s life was his family connection. He married Estelle Gautier, the daughter of the renowned French poet and novelist Théophile Gautier. This made him not only Théophile’s son-in-law, but also the brother-in-law of Théophile Gautier (fils). Théophile Gautier himself wrote a glowing letter about Bergerat to Carlotta Grisi, praising his poetic talent and mentioning his verse play “Les Cuirassiers de Reichshoffen.” This play, about a battle in the Franco-Prussian War, became a huge success during the Siege of Paris. Avenue Émile Bergerat might be a small street, but it echoes with the life and work of a prolific writer. A man who was a poet, playwright, essayist, son-in-law to a literary giant, and a member of a prestigious literary academy. It’s a testament to the rich tapestry of Parisian history, where even the smallest streets can hold the most captivating stories.