“A painter’s namesake in stone?” Allée Watteau may not immediately strike you as a place brimming with tales. Yet, this street holds a history interwoven with art and urban evolution.
Allée Watteau resides in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. It is named after the French painter Watteau. The naming occurred in 1867. The reason was a high concentration of streets dedicated to painters in that area. Imagine a neighborhood echoing with artistic inspiration.
Originally, this path was a humble way on the maps of Paris dating back to 1672. In 1788, it officially opened. It first bore the name “Rue du Petit Bouquet” in 1816. Later, it was known as “Rue du Banquier” and “Rue Petit-Banquier.” Finally, all these sections were united. The unified street became “Rue Watteau”.
The street’s story took a turn in 1968. A significant portion was condemned. This happened during the redevelopment of the area into HLM housing. Circulation became impossible. However, the spirit of Allée Watteau was not extinguished.
In the late 1990s, a revival began. The path was reopened under the name “Voie EB/13.” Finally, in 2000, it reclaimed its artistic identity. It fully embraced the name “Rue Watteau” once more.
Interestingly, Allée Watteau even makes a cameo in literature. Honoré de Balzac mentions “rue du Petit-Banquier”. It appears in his novel “Le Colonel Chabert”. The address of Chabert is located there. Imagine Balzac’s characters walking these very streets.
To get here, you can take line 5 to the Campo-Formio station. The street is accessible this way.
Allée Watteau stands as a testament to change and artistic legacy. It has evolved through different names and urban transformations. It is a place where art and literature intertwine. The street offers a quiet moment. It is an opportunity to reflect on Paris’s ever-changing narrative.