Is it possible for a street to embody the spirit of a nation. Perhaps that’s what the Avenue Paul-Doumer sets out to do. Let’s explore this iconic avenue in Paris’s 16th arrondissement.
Avenue Paul-Doumer, a public road, begins at Place du Trocadéro-et-du-11-Novembre. More precisely, it starts at its appendage, Place José-Marti. It ends at 2, chaussée de la Muette. The avenue stretches 970 meters. Its width varies from 20 to 30 meters.
But what’s in a name. This avenue honors Paul Doumer, French President from 1931 to 1932. His assassination in 1932 led to the renaming. Before 1932, it was known as Avenue de la Muette. The inauguration took place one year after President Doumer’s death.
The Avenue Paul-Doumer’s story began with a decree on January 30, 1912. Initially, it served as an extension of Rue de la Pompe. Between 1924 and 1933, the avenue took its current form. This involved demolishing some housing that encroached on the nearby streets.
During World War I, on August 5, 1918, a shell from Grosse Bertha exploded at number 87. Back then, it was still called “avenue de la Muette”. The section near Rue du Commandant-Schloesing was named Place José-Marti in 1955.
Many of the grand buildings you see along Avenue Paul-Doumer have a uniform facade. These mostly date from the post-World War II era, especially the 1960s.
At the corner of Avenue Paul-Doumer and Rue Benjamin-Franklin, you’ll find a monument to Benjamin Franklin. It was created by John J. Boyle in 1898.
Number 1 Avenue Paul-Doumer is a luxurious residential building. Architects Jean Fidler and B. Lochak built it between 1935 and 1937. It was for Berthe Astier, wife of the famous hairdresser Antoine. The couple lived on the top two floors. Inaugurated alongside the 1937 World’s Fair, the building features a streamlined “paquebot” style. Actress Jacqueline Maillan lived here until her death in 1992. Businessman Pierre Botton also resided here for several years. Today, the decorator Philippe Starck has his offices here.
At number 19 Avenue Paul-Doumer stands the Résidence Trocadéro, built in 1958.
The building at number 60 dates back to the 1930s. Architect François Balleyguier designed it for the Le Phénix insurance company. A stone phoenix adorns the facade.
Brigitte Bardot called number 71 Avenue Paul-Doumer home in the 1960s.
The Mayfair cinema once stood at number 90. Opened in 1967, it boasted a refined decor with marble, mahogany doors, and woodwork. It closed in 1988 while “Le Grand Bleu” was showing.
In film, number 19 appears in Jean-Pierre Melville’s “Le Cercle rouge”. Alain Delon’s character, Corey, had an apartment here.
Avenue Paul-Doumer is more than just a street. It’s a journey through Parisian history. It is a reminder of a president, and a showcase of architectural evolution. So next time you stroll down this avenue, remember its story.