Imagine Jacques Chirac strolling along this very quai. It is now named in his honor. Rue Jacques Chirac stretches through the 7th and 15th arrondissements of Paris. It is more than just a street. It is a tribute to a significant figure in French history.
Jacques Chirac served as Mayor of Paris. He was in office from 1977 to 1995. Later, he became President of the French Republic. He held that position from 1995 to 2007. This quai recognizes his contributions to the city and the nation.
Originally, this part of the road was known as Quai Branly. On April 14, 2021, the Council of Paris decided to rename a large section of it. The change became official with a municipal decree. Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, inaugurated the newly named quai on November 29, 2021. Several notable figures attended the ceremony.
Rue Jacques Chirac begins at Quai Branly. This is near the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac. It extends from the Esplanade David Ben Gourion and the Passerelle Debilly. The road ends at Quai de Grenelle. This is near the Pont de Bir-Hakeim and the Place des Martyrs-Juifs-du-Vélodrome-d’Hiver.
The location of Rue Jacques Chirac is quite strategic. It runs along the Seine River. It provides access to the Port de la Bourdonnais and the Port de Suffren. Furthermore, it leads to the Esplanade des Ouvriers-de-la-Tour-Eiffel. From there, visitors can easily reach the Eiffel Tower.
Jacques Chirac had a close connection to the Musée du Quai Branly. He was instrumental in its creation. In 1995, he delivered a speech acknowledging France’s responsibility. This was regarding the deportation of Jews to Germany during the Nazi occupation. The street’s location is also significant. It passes by the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris. Chirac had developed strong ties with Japan. The street also runs near the Promenade d’Australie. Here stands a monument to General Diego Brosset. Brosset had stayed with Chirac’s parents during the Débarquement de Provence.
Near Rue Jacques Chirac is a memorial. It is the Jardin mémorial des enfants du Vél’ d’Hiv’. Serge Klarsfeld initiated this memorial. It honors the children taken during the Rafle du Vélodrome d’Hiver. These children were murdered in death camps. The memorial is located south of the quai, at 7, rue Nélaton.
There are plans for the area around Rue Jacques Chirac. In preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games, Anne Hidalgo proposed changes. These included a “vegetal amphitheater” at the Place du Trocadéro. The project aims to transform the area. It would extend to the Eiffel Tower. Plans included pedestrianizing the Pont d’Iéna. The intersection with Rue Jacques Chirac would become a planted promenade. Despite opposition, the Council of Paris approved the project in February 2022.
Sadly, a tragic event occurred here. A Germano-Philippine tourist was fatally stabbed. This happened at the corner of Quai Jacques-Chirac and the Pont de Bir-Hakeim. A Franco-Iranian terrorist committed the act. He claimed allegiance to the Islamic State group.
Several notable buildings and memorials are located on Rue Jacques Chirac. The Mémorial national de la guerre d’Algérie et des combats du Maroc et de la Tunisie is one. Another is the ensemble of Art Deco buildings. These are at nos 67 bis-71. Known as the “îlot Chirac,” the buildings have been owned by the Oberkampf family descendants. The Paris tourist office has been located at number 101 since 2024.
Rue Jacques Chirac is more than a street. It is a place of memory and reflection. It connects important cultural sites. It also stands as a reminder of French history and Jacques Chirac’s legacy.