“Westward ho” might have been the cry of explorers. It certainly echoes in the name Avenue de l’Ouest. But why this name for a street in Paris?
Avenue de l’Ouest owes its name to the nearby Gare Montparnasse. This station was formerly called Gare de l’Ouest. It served the west of France.
The street’s history is tied to the railway’s expansion. It was created in 1845. This was during a period of significant development in Paris.
Before 1860 Avenue de l’Ouest was part of Vaugirard. It was the main street of the hamlet of Plaisance. After Paris annexed Vaugirard there were two Rue de l’Ouest streets from 1860 to 1868. These two streets caused confusion.
Avenue de l’Ouest runs in a fairly straight northeast/southwest direction. It cuts through a district redeveloped in the 1970s. This area is known as the Guilleminot-Vercingétorix development zone.
Several notable figures have called Avenue de l’Ouest home. Charles Garnier the architect of the Opéra lived at number 40 in 1840. Historian Jules Michelet and writer Paul Léautaud resided at number 44 in 1860.
The street has also appeared on the silver screen. Denis Lavant famously ran down Avenue de l’Ouest in the film Mauvais Sang. He was accompanied by David Bowie’s song Modern Love. The scene was filmed near Gare Montparnasse. The street has since been renovated.
At number 95 stands the Protestant Temple of Montparnasse-Plaisance. It was inaugurated in 1879. It remains an active place of worship.
Today Avenue de l’Ouest is served by three metro stations. These are Gaîté Pernety and Plaisance. These stations provide easy access to the street and its surroundings.
Avenue de l’Ouest is more than just a street. It is a link to Paris’s past. It connects the city’s railway history artistic legacy and urban development. So next time you find yourself on Avenue de l’Ouest take a moment to appreciate its history.