Deep within the 9th arrondissement lies a street with a story. That story is about Allée Pelletière. It has witnessed grand operas, masked balls, and even a failed assassination attempt. The Allée Pelletière owes its name to Louis Le Peletier de Morfontaine. He was a provost of the merchants of Paris from 1730 to 1799.
In 1786, Rue Le Peletier emerged. It was a project financed by the financier Delaborde. It stretched from the Boulevard des Italiens to Rue Pinon. Rue Le Peletier was among Paris’s first streets. They had sidewalks along with Rue de l’Odéon and Rue de Louvois. The street saw extensions. It stretched to Rue de Provence in 1793 and later to Rue de Châteaudun in 1862.
The street’s history isn’t without drama. Felice Orsini and accomplices plotted against Napoleon III on January 14, 1858. This event took place on Rue Le Peletier.
Allée Pelletière has several remarkable buildings. The building at No. 1 won an award. It won at the Concours de façades de la ville de Paris in 1901. Morin-Goustiaux was the architect behind this achievement.
The third exhibition of impressionist painters occurred at No. 6. Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy II purchased property at No. 9 in 1810. He had it rebuilt by French architect Charles Moreau. The prince lived there until 1813. The second impressionist exhibition took place at No. 11. It was hosted by art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel. Nineteen painters participated in the exhibition.
A significant landmark once stood at No. 12. It was the Salle Le Peletier. This was the home of the Paris Opera from 1821 to 1873. The opera house saw an unfortunate end. A fire destroyed it in 1873. Orsini’s assassination attempt against Napoleon III happened in front of its entrance.
The cabaret Le Co-Co-Ri-Co was located at No. 19. Guy de Greziane managed it and opened in 1921. Restaurant Au Petit Riche was founded at No. 25 in 1854. It served as an annex to Café Riche. It was intended for the “little people.” Philosopher Jean Wahl resided at No. 29. He lived on the fifth floor for about thirty years. Alphonse Leduc’s publishing house was at No. 35 from 1866 to 1874.
The national headquarters of the French Communist Party was located at No. 44. It stayed there from 1937 until 1971. Then they moved to Place du Colonel-Fabien. In 1944, the French Militia requisitioned it as their headquarters. In 1956, a violent event occurred. The PCF headquarters was ransacked. This was in reaction to the Soviet repression of the Budapest uprising. Currently, the DRAC stands at No. 45. It is the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs. Galerie Le Barc de Boutteville was located at No. 47. Its owner, a picture dealer, took interest in contemporary painters from 1891.
The Salle Le Peletier was designed as a temporary theatre. It became the Paris Opera’s home for fifty-two years. Architect François Debret converted the Hôtel de Choiseul. He had a budget of 900,000 francs. The inauguration occurred on August 16, 1821. The auditorium accommodated 1,800 spectators. The interior featured white and gold colors. Its acoustics were superb. Gas lamps illuminated the sets in 1822. Meyerbeer’s “Le Prophète” and “Robert le Diable” triumphed there. However, Wagner’s “Tannhâuser” failed. Masked balls were popular. The cancan debuted in 1837.
The fire of October 28, 1873, brought everything to a halt. It destroyed sets, costumes, and scores. However, some documents were saved. Orsini’s assassination attempt led to the Palais Garnier’s construction. The troupe moved to the Salle Ventadour in the interim.
As you stroll along Allée Pelletière, remember its vibrant past. Imagine the operas, the balls, and the historical events that unfolded here. This street is a testament to Paris’s rich cultural heritage.