“Why Maintenon?” you might ask. Allée de Maintenon bears a name linked to power and whispers of a secret marriage. This unassuming path in the 6th arrondissement of Paris holds a fascinating connection to Madame de Maintenon.
Allée de Maintenon is a short and quiet street. It offers a brief escape from the city’s hustle. Created in 1931, it’s a dead end. Allée de Maintenon begins at 114 rue de Vaugirard. The alley stretches just 50 meters. Its width is a modest 3.7 meters.
Madame de Maintenon was no ordinary woman. Born Françoise d’Aubigné, she rose from humble beginnings to become the governess of Louis XIV’s illegitimate children. The king was captivated by her intelligence and charm. She eventually became his second wife in a secret ceremony.
But what connects Madame de Maintenon to this particular spot? Allée de Maintenon is on the street where she once lived. That is on the rue de Vaugirard. Imagine her carriage traveling along this route. She was on her way to or from the royal court at Versailles.
At number 6 Allée de Maintenon, the former studio-house of painter Jean Dubuffet stands. He lived here from 1946 to 1985. The architects Auguste and Gustave Perret built the house in 1928. They built it for the Polish artist Mela Muter. She rented it to Dubuffet. Renowned artists such as Man Ray and Robert Doisneau visited him here. The writer Raymond Queneau came too.
Allée de Maintenon offers a glimpse into Parisian history. It connects us to a woman who wielded considerable influence behind the scenes of the French monarchy. Though small, Allée de Maintenon evokes the grand life of Madame de Maintenon and the artistic souls who found inspiration here.