The elegant Rue Montalivet whispers stories of power and Parisian life. Right here before you lies a street steeped in history. Rue Montalivet is more than just a thoroughfare. It is a living testament to Paris’s rich past.
Named after Jean-Pierre Bachasson the Comte de Montalivet this street holds a significant place in Parisian history. He served as Napoleon I’s Minister of the Interior. The street’s name reflects this powerful connection. The Rue Montalivet wasn’t always so grand. It started life as Rue du Marché d’Aguesseau. This was much earlier before the minister’s influence.
Before it became a fashionable address this street was quite different. It once sat on the site of a large cemetery. This was the “grand cimetière des pauvres” or “great cemetery of the poor”. The church of the Madeleine owned this marshy land. It was used to bury the city’s less fortunate residents. The cemetery existed until a property exchange altered its fate.
The cemetery’s land was exchanged for a location nearer to the Madeleine church. This land was subsequently developed. The area also saw the brief existence of a market. This market opened in 1723. Unfortunately it proved too far from the city’s center. It was relocated to a more central area. The Rue du Marché d’Aguesseau however retained its name for many years. It would later take on the name of the famous minister in 1867. The proximity to the Ministry of the Interior cemented this name change.
Today Rue Montalivet boasts impressive buildings. Number 3 was once home to the Orléanist deputy Léonce Hallez-Claparède. Number 7 held the prestigious former hotel of Henri d’Orléans the Duke of Aumale. This impressive residence later passed to his nephew. Number 18 housed several notable residents. These include ambassador Camille Barrère Prefect of the Seine Eugène Poubelle and the iconic fashion designer Inès de la Fressange. This building notably features one of Paris’s 94 historic water pumps.
The Rue Montalivet stands as a silent observer. It has witnessed the transformation of Paris. It stands as a reminder of the city’s past. It also offers a glimpse into the lives of those who shaped its history. This is a Parisian street with a rich and captivating past. A past waiting to be discovered. This is the story of Rue Montalivet.