Imagine Toulouse in the 18th century. The Allée Jules Guesde was then just an esplanade.
The Allée Jules Guesde stretches between Saint-Étienne and Saint-Michel. This artery runs through the historic center. It is 600 meters long and 60 meters wide.
The Allée Jules Guesde runs alongside important sites. These are the Palais de Justice and the Quai des Savoirs. It is near the historic gardens. The Allée Jules Guesde serves the Jardin Royal. It ends at the Grand Rond. The Allée Jules Guesde connects to other walkways. Allées Forain-François-Verdier extend it to the northeast. Allées Paul-Feuga extend it to the west.
Originally, Toulouse elites wanted a vast promenade. This project was inspired by the Enlightenment. The Allée Jules Guesde saw many monumental projects in the 19th century. These included the Palais de Justice and public gardens. The Allée Jules Guesde’s soil has been protected since 1933.
Today the Allée Jules Guesde gives pedestrians a place for recreation.
The Allée Jules Guesde is divided into three parts. Each part is separated by trees. The north has a two-way road. The center has a green space for a tramway and a bike path. The south is a pedestrian zone.
The Allée Jules Guesde has had different names. It was Esplanade. Then it was Allée des Récompenses during the French Revolution. This was because ceremonies took place there. Later it was Allée Saint-Michel.
On July 28, 1933 it was named Allée Jules Guesde. The heart of the Allée Jules Guesde is named Esplanade des Français-d’Afrique-du-Nord since 2015.
In the Middle Ages the area was outside the city walls. A path ran along the ramparts. Key gates were along it. The Montoulieu gate stood where Place du Parlement is now. The Montgaillard gate was at Rue Théodore-Ozenne. The Château gate was at Place du Parlement.
Simon de Montfort died near the Allée Jules Guesde in 1218. He was killed during the Albigensian Crusade.
In modern times the area was open. Ramparts stood to the north. By 1550 the Château Narbonnais was demolished.
The Faubourg Saint-Michel grew to the south. Houses were built near the Église Saint-Michel.
In the 17th century the Carmes Déchaussés arrived. They built a convent near the Montgaillard gate. By the late 17th century they owned land between Rue Lamarck and Allées Frédéric-Mistral.
Local authorities modernized the area in the 18th century. Louis de Mondran created a design. It included a boulingrin and tree-lined paths. Work finished in 1754. The Allée Jules Guesde became the Esplanade.
During the French Revolution the Allée Jules Guesde held ceremonies.
In 1790 the Carmes Déchaussés were expelled. Their convent became national property. A Jardin des Plantes was created. In 1806 the Saint-Joseph chapel became a parish church.
New buildings rose along the Allée Jules Guesde in the 19th century. The Saint-Michel prison was built. The Faculté de Médecine moved into the Carmes Déchaussés convent.
In 1862 the Boulingrin and Jardin Royal became Anglo-Chinese gardens. The Allée Jules Guesde extended west to the Garonne River.
In 1885-1891 the Faculté des Sciences was built. The Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie was also built.
The Muséum d’histoire naturelle was expanded.
After World War II the Faculté des Sciences and Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie moved to Rangueil.
In 1970 an autopont was built over the Allée Jules Guesde.
In 1993 the autopont was demolished. The Palais de Justice was rebuilt. The Muséum was renovated. In 2016 the Quai des Savoirs opened.
The tramway arrived in 2013. The center of the Allée Jules Guesde became a pedestrian zone. The tunnel was closed.
Today the Allée Jules Guesde hosts events. This includes the Marché des Brocanteurs.
The Allée Jules Guesde is named after Jules Guesde. He was a socialist journalist and politician. He was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is known for introducing Marxism to France.
The Allée Jules Guesde reflects centuries of Toulouse history. It has been transformed from an esplanade to a modern promenade.