“Olympe de Gouges,” the name itself echoes with the spirit of a revolutionary. This is the Allée Olympe de Gouges in Paris. It is located in the 3rd arrondissement. We find ourselves in the Enfants-Rouges administrative district.
This place honors Marie Gouze. She was also known as Olympe de Gouges. Marie was a woman of letters and a pioneer of feminism. She was born in Montauban in 1748. She died in Paris in 1793. The Place Olympe de Gouges was created in 2003.
The Allée Olympe de Gouges sits at a crossroads. Here, Rue Béranger meets Rue de Franche-Comté. Rue Charlot and Rue de Turenne also converge here. It is a nexus of Parisian life. A small roundabout sits at its center. A single tree offers shade.
Interestingly, the Commission du Vieux Paris didn’t initially favor this location. Michel Fleury was the president. He felt the area’s classicism clashed with Olympe de Gouges’ revolutionary spirit. He suggested an alternative location. It was at the intersection of Rue de Turbigo and Rue Réaumur. However, the Conseil de Paris ultimately decided.
Fontaine Boucherat is close by between Rue de Turenne and Rue Charlot. The République metro station serves this area. The Allée Olympe de Gouges stands as a testament to a remarkable woman.