Revolutionary socialist themes marked Louise Michel’s life. Today we stand on Rue Louise Michel. Louise Michel was a French anarchist. She fervently preached revolutionary socialist themes. Rejecting parliamentary reform, she advocated class war.
Louise Michel was born in 1830. She died in 1905 in Marseille. Louise was a teacher in Montmartre from 1866 to 1870. During the German siege of Paris in 1870 to 1871, she worked in the ambulance service. She defended the Paris Commune against the Versailles troops in 1871. After the Commune’s defeat, she was court-martialed. Louise was sentenced to prison.
Freed in 1880, Louise Michel lectured throughout France. She was imprisoned for inciting a riot. From 1886 to 1896, she lived in London. She returned to France in 1896. Louise lectured on revolutionary themes until her death. Her writings reveal a strong sense of social consciousness. She published poetry and prose.
Louise Michel moved to Paris in 1856. She lived in the 17th arrondissement. Her first teaching position was at 4 rue du Château d’eau. In 1865, she began her life in Montmartre. She purchased a school at 5 rue des Cloÿs. The school used progressive teaching methods inspired by Victor Hugo.
In 1868, Louise left rue des Cloÿs. She opened a class for 60 students at 24 rue Oudot. Today this is named rue Championnet. She became President of the 18th century Vigilance Committee. This was at 41 Rue de Clignancourt. There, she met her future comrade, Théo Ferré. They both participated in a Blanquist club. It was at St-Bernard Church on rue Affre. This was in preparation for the Commune.
On March 18, 1871, Louise Michel instigated the Paris uprising. She did this with the 61st Battalion of the National Guard. For her part in the Commune, Louise was sentenced to penal transportation. She was sent to New Caledonia.
Participants in the Commune were granted amnesty in 1880. Louise returned to France and Montmartre. She settled at 45 Boulevard Ornan. She began a new life as a speaker and novelist. In 1895, she participated in the creation of Le Libertaire. Louise co-founded the anarchist newspaper at 15 rue d’Orsel. It has branches in New York, Brussels, and Algiers. It exists spiritually as Le Monde libertaire.
In 2004, the park in front of the Sacré-Coeur was named Square Louise Michel. It was in her honor. Louise Michel’s legacy remains in Montmartre. She taught and plotted here. You can discover Montmartre on your doorstep. Her schools, homes, and associations are nearby. Walking on Rue Louise Michel today, we remember her fight. It was for revolutionary socialist themes. She rejected parliamentary reform. She believed in acts of violence. Louise Michel advocated class war.