“A statue of Georges Courteline, a French playwright and novelist, stands proudly in this square,” I announce to the group. “This space was part of the barrier of Saint-Mandé, where the bodies of the guillotined were transported from the Place de la Nation.”
The Place Georges Courteline is a small, pleasant square with a central kiosk and a fountain. It is a tranquil oasis in the midst of the bustling 12th arrondissement of Paris. The square is named after Georges Courteline, a French novelist and playwright who lived nearby.
Courteline’s life was a colourful whirlwind. He embraced the artistic spirit of Parisian culture with a passion for writing about the everyday absurdity of life. It is not surprising that his bust now anchors this tranquil square.
His unique voice was a challenge to the traditional, sometimes pompous, tone of the period. He delighted in exposing the human condition with humour and a touch of satire. He chronicled the follies and triumphs of ordinary life, often drawing inspiration from his own experiences.
The square was created in 1925. It was built on the former site of the barrier de Saint-Mandé, a gate in the former city wall of Paris. The barrier was the starting point for the route that led to the guillotine at the Place du Trône, the current Place de la Nation.
The square is a testament to Courteline’s legacy and serves both as a reminder of the area’s history and as a place for Parisians and visitors alike to relax and enjoy the green space.