Avenue Linné

Stepping onto Avenue Linné, feel the hum of Paris around you. This isn’t just another Parisian street. Avenue Linné, nestled in the 5th arrondissement, whispers tales of science and history. It connects the tranquil Jardin des Plantes to the bustling University of Jussieu. Imagine strolling down this 245-meter stretch in the 11th century when it was first created. Back then, Avenue Linné, along with Rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire and Rue Jussieu, formed a section of the ancient Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Victor. At number two Avenue Linné, at the corner of Rue Cuvier, admire the Fontaine Cuvier. This fountain pays tribute to Georges Cuvier, a pioneer of paleontology. Further down, at number four, peek into the courtyard. You’ll find remnants of pointed archways, ghostly reminders of the long-gone Abbaye Saint-Victor. This abbey played a significant role in the area’s history. Its influence extended beyond its walls. It even lent its name to the Saint-Victor gate of the Philippe Auguste wall that once stood here. The area around number five holds a more somber past. It was once the site of a cemetery belonging to the former Pitié Hospital. Moving along to number nine, picture a historic building that belonged to the Congrégation Notre-Dame convent. This convent educated young girls until its closure in 1790. It briefly reopened in 1821, only to be expropriated in 1860. At number 24 Avenue Linné, and spilling onto Place Jussieu at numbers seven and nine, stands a grand neo-Renaissance building. Constructed in 1842 by architects Totrain and Vigreux, its sculpted details are the work of Adolphe-Paul Giraud. This imposing structure stands on the very spot where the main entrance of the Abbaye Saint-Victor once greeted visitors. Finally, at number 25, find the former Saint-Victor reservoirs, now transformed into a vibrant Maison des Associations. Avenue Linné also boasts famous former residents. Author Georges Perec, known for his playful experiments with language, lived at number 13. Stanislas Fumet, a French writer and literary critic, called number 15 home. Avenue Linné even plays a starring role in Douglas Kennedy’s 2007 novel, “The Woman from the Fifth”. As you leave Avenue Linné, carry these stories with you, woven into the fabric of your Parisian adventure.