Did you know that Rue Lénine in Ivry-sur-Seine wasn’t always called that? It has a rich and complex history. Let’s take a walk down this important street together.
Rue Lénine is a main east-west artery in Ivry-sur-Seine. It extends from Avenue Georges-Gosnat. This street has seen many changes over the years.
Originally, it was part of Rue de Seine. This road led to the Pont de Conflans at that time. The great flood of 1910 severely impacted Rue de Seine. The 23rd regiment of dragoons rescued residents.
Between 1910 and about 1933, it was known as Rue de la Mairie. Later, it was renamed Rue Staline. This was a reflection of the political climate at the time.
In the spirit of de-Stalinization, the city council decided to change the name again. It became Rue Lénine. Georges Marrane announced this in L’Humanité newspaper.
Eventually, the western part of the street became Avenue Georges-Gosnat. However, the name Rue Lénine remained east of the bridge. It started at the intersection with Rue Molière.
Today, Rue Lénine is home to several notable places. The Sainte-Croix d’Ivry-Port church was built in 2005. The placette des Fauconnières is at the entrance to the Quais d’Ivry shopping center. Its name comes from a falconry that was there in the 18th century.
At number 1 Rue Lénine, Gerbaud produced the Vin du Postillon until 1967. A large 17th-century building once stood a few numbers west. It housed a branch of the Collège Sainte-Barbe Delanneau. Later, an industrialist named Saget made oil lamps there. Pierre-Philibert Pompée opened a vocational school there in 1853. The building was later partially occupied by the town hall. It was demolished in 1912.
At number 41, the Espace des Confluences is located in a former Banque de France building. Here, you can see urban development projects for the city. Rue Lénine has truly been a place of constant change. It reflects the history of Ivry-sur-Seine itself.