Hidden within the 17th arrondissement lies Rue Georges Médéric a Parisian street steeped in history. Its 280-meter length connects Rue de Courcelles to Rue de Prony. But this seemingly ordinary street holds secrets.
Before its current name Rue Georges Médéric was known as Rue Guyot. This change occurred in 1944 a tribute to Gilbert Védy a French Resistance member known by the code name Médéric. He was a key figure in Ceux de la Libération a crucial resistance group. His bravery and sacrifice are forever etched into the very name of this street.
Imagine strolling down Rue Georges Médéric in the 19th century. You’d see the atelier of Édouard Manet at number 8. From 1861 to 1872 this building housed Manet’s creative space where masterpieces were born. This street witnessed the artist’s artistic evolution.
At number 9 stands the Swedish Church a testament to Parisian international communities. Built between 1911 and 1913 this church is a beautiful example of architecture. Recent news of potential sale is causing great stir.
Number 20 houses the prestigious École hôtelière de Paris. Its grand building built between 1935 and 1936 is both elegant and functional. Notice the impressive ironwork by Raymond Subes. Marvel at Yves Brayer’s fresco adorning the building. The building includes the Lycée Jean-Drouant and the CFA Médéric.
Between numbers 23 and 27 a building with a darker history stands. This was the site of Paris’s first automatic telephone exchange. The building was the target of an attempted bombing in August 1982 by the Armenian group Orly.
Further down at number 32 a secret meeting took place. It was here in the former Rue Guyot that members of the MOI’s leadership met. They were later arrested by the Geheime Feldpolizei.
Rue Georges Médéric is more than just a street. It’s a living timeline reflecting art history and political events. It is a place that merges art history with political intrigue. Each building tells a distinct story of Paris. The street weaves a compelling narrative. The next time you walk here remember these stories. Let the spirit of Médéric and the echoes of Manet’s brushstrokes transport you.