Is it a school or a fort? The \u00c9cole de Gravelle is a place of intriguing duality. Today the \u00c9cole de Gravelle serves as a police training center. But its history stretches back much further.
Let’s journey back to the time of Louis-Philippe. It was between 1840 and 1845 when the Redoute de Gravelle was constructed. This was during Louis-Philippe’s reign. It became one of several additions to the city’s defenses. These additions were built between the 16 forts of the first fortified belt. This belt sat about 5 km away from Paris.
The \u00c9cole de Gravelle is sometimes mistakenly called “Fort de Gravelle”. This is because the road leading to its entrance is named Route du Fort-de-Gravelle.
From 1946 to 1955 the \u00c9cole de Gravelle served as a dormitory. It housed the “boys” section of the École normale d’éducation physique. Later until 1965 it became the Groupement Sportif Interarmées de Joinville. This was also known as the Bataillon de Joinville. Colonels Billet and Pottier commanded this unit. Commandant Robert also played a role.
The \u00c9cole de Gravelle took on a new role starting in 1968. It became the École nationale de police de Paris or ENPP. Later it functioned as an administrative detention center for undocumented immigrants.
An interesting piece of art found its way to the \u00c9cole de Gravelle in 1973. During the replacement of the Pont de l’Alma a statue was moved. The statue “Chasseur à pied” by Auguste Arnaud was relocated. It now stands on the south facade of the Redoute de Gravelle. You can even see it from the A4 highway.
Today the \u00c9cole de Gravelle houses the regional training center. It is also home to the Brigade d’intervention de la Préfecture de police de Paris. This means it is closed to the general public.
The Avenue de Gravelle gets its name from the plateau de Gravelle. The avenue crosses this plateau. This name was given before 1879. The avenue is located on the plain of Vincennes. The city of Paris acquired this area in 1861. It sits north of the route de Paris à Charenton. This is now the rue de Paris. The city developed the Bois de Vincennes here. The Avenue de Gravelle was traced along the edge of this green space. Land between the avenue and rue de Paris was sold. Buildings and houses were constructed. In the end the Bois de Vincennes was annexed to Paris. Since then the avenue forms the boundary between Charenton and Paris.
So as we stand before the \u00c9cole de Gravelle remember its multi-layered past. From military fortification to athletic dormitory to police training center this site has witnessed many transformations. While you cannot enter its grounds take a moment to appreciate its history. Consider its role in shaping both the physical and social landscape of Paris.