Why Orleans? Was it named after Louis Philippe II Duke of Orlèans? He met a tragic end during the French Revolution. But that is a story for another day. Today we’re on Rue d’Orléans a street with more secrets than cobblestones.
Rue d’Orléans sits in Saint-Cloud. This street whispers tales of revolution whispers of elegance and artistic inspiration. It’s not just a road it’s a journey through time.
Imagine Thomas Jefferson strolling along a similar street. Not this exact one. But in his day, he lived in a hotel d’Orleans on rue de Richelieu before moving. He lived there with his daughter Patsy in the 1780s. He would later move to Champs-Élysées. Jefferson loved Paris. He frequented Café Procope with Benjamin Franklin. The restaurant walls were covered with portraits. Plaques showed correspondence. Artifacts recalled famous patrons.
Orleans suggests royalty. In the early 18th century Antoine Coypel painted a dazzling ceiling. This painting was for the Chancellerie d’Orléans. It depicted love’s triumph over Olympus gods. Winged putti mischievously grabbed Mars’s shield and Jupiter’s trident. The Chancellerie d’Orléans was later dismantled.
The Paris Commune also echoes here. Consider the story of the Paris Commune in 1871. The Communards promoted progressive policies. They advocated for the separation of church and state. Employees were given rights to take over deserted businesses. They closed Catholic churches. However this was brought to an end by the French Army during the “bloody week”.
Rue d’Orléans itself likely saw unrest. National Guard members built barricades. Soldiers clashed with citizens. The echoes of revolution linger. The Commune remains controversial to this day.
Even the Paris Catacombs connect to our story. The Port d’Orléans metro stop leads to Parc Montsouris. The park is home to a statue of Thomas Paine. The catacombs are underground ossuaries. They hold over six million remains. The bones were moved from overflowing cemeteries. Revolutionaries used the tunnels. It gives this place an intriguing vibe.
Parc Montsouris also contains the only Thomas Paine statue in Paris. Paine was a friend of Benjamin Franklin. He supported American independence. The statue is gilded. Napoleon Bonaparte admired Paine. Bonaparte said a golden statue should be in every city.
Rue d’Orléans is a treasure. It connects to Jefferson Franklin and revolution. It links to art architecture and underground secrets. The echoes of history are all around. Keep your eyes open. Listen to the whispers. You never know what you’ll discover next on Rue d’Orléans.