In 1879 a new avenue was inaugurated. It was named Avenue Ledru-Rollin. This broad thoroughfare in Paris is about 1.5 kilometers long. It links the Pont d’Austerlitz to the Town Hall of the 11th arrondissement. The avenue is a testament to Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin. He was a lawyer and politician. A champion of universal suffrage he served as Minister of the Interior in the Second Republic.
Avenue Ledru-Rollin stretches across the 11th and 12th arrondissements. It passes through three main east-west arteries. These are Avenue Daumesnil Rue de Charenton and Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine. The avenue is lined with trees. Many buildings along Avenue Ledru-Rollin date from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some are quite distinguished. The Lycee technique Chenneviere-Malezieux is a notable building at number 33. At number 40 you can admire sculptures by Emile Joseph Nestor Carlier.
A remarkable feature is the Promenade plantee. This elevated walkway was built in the late 1990s. It uses a former railway bridge. The avenue was not always so grand. A section of Avenue Ledru-Rollin was flooded during the Great Flood of Paris in 1910. Imagine the chaos the disruption the struggle for survival. The church of Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts stands proudly near the intersection with Avenue Daumesnil. Its steeple is a prominent landmark.
Number 153 holds a significant piece of history. It’s a former Protestant church built in 1882. It’s known for its sculpture of an open Bible. This building is listed among protected structures of the 11th arrondissement. And at number 160 you’ll find La Couronne du Roi. This is a pastry shop specializing in cake design. The avenue’s name echoes through the city’s history. It’s a reminder of a man and his fight for universal suffrage.
Today Avenue Ledru-Rollin is a vibrant part of Paris. Its past is evident in its architecture. Its present thrumming with life. Its location is well served by the Metro and several bus lines. Take a moment to truly appreciate Avenue Ledru-Rollin. It is a significant part of Parisian life. It is a beautiful avenue. It is a historic avenue. It is Avenue Ledru-Rollin.