Have you heard about a street named to honor a hero of two wars? That’s Rue du Général Cordonnier. It is a tribute to a remarkable French general. The street is in Neuilly-sur-Seine. This vibrant area is just west of Paris.
Rue du Général Cordonnier wasn’t always its current name. It was once Rue Hervieu. Then it was Rue Gally. The name changed on December 30, 1936. This was when the street’s construction finished. The municipal council wanted to honor a local citizen. That citizen was General Émilien Victor Cordonnier.
Émilien Victor Cordonnier was born in Surgy in 1850. He joined the military in 1877. By 1887, he was a lieutenant. He served in the 48th Infantry Regiment. In 1889, he married Caroline Amélie Marie Palmié.
Cordonnier’s career took him to Algeria and the Sahara. He served there from 1899 to 1900. By 1910, he became a colonel. He commanded the 119th Infantry Regiment. In 1913, he was promoted to general. He became a Brigade General.
World War I marked a significant chapter. Cordonnier commanded the 87th Infantry Brigade. At Nangiermes, his counter-attack proved decisive. The enemy abandoned four machine guns. In 1915, he became a Divisional General.
In 1916, Cordonnier took command of the French Army of the Orient. His mission was to stabilize the Serbian forces. Unifying Russian and Serbian forces, he led them to victory. This victory occurred at Malareka in October 1916.
Internal conflicts led to his departure. He left his command to General Leblois. Cordonnier left Macedonia in late October 1916. Despite this, his contributions were recognized. He became a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor in 1929.
After retiring, Cordonnier lived in Neuilly. He passed away at his home on Rue Charles Laffitte in 1936. The street we stand on, Rue du Général Cordonnier, keeps his memory alive.
Interestingly, number 11 Rue du Général Cordonnier is a co-owned building. It has 47 lots. Twenty-four are for housing. The building dates back to between 1949 and 1960.
Today, Rue du Général Cordonnier is lined with sorb trees. These trees add to the street’s charm. It connects Avenue du Roule and Rue Perronet. This street is more than just a road. It is a living memorial to a distinguished general.