“Nicolas-Joseph Beaurepaire,” I say, “remember that name as we stroll along Avenue Beaurepaire.” This avenue in Paris’s 10th arrondissement carries a weighty past. It is more than just a street. It is a tribute to a man who stood firm.
Let’s walk along Avenue Beaurepaire. Imagine Paris in 1864. This street was born then but under a different name. It was first known as Rue Magnan.
But who was Magnan? Bernard Pierre Magnan was a Marshal of France. He had ties to the Second Empire. After the Second Empire fell Paris wanted to erase its memory. So, in 1879, the street was renamed Avenue Beaurepaire.
Now, Nicolas-Joseph Beaurepaire. He was a defender of Verdun in 1792. He represents courage. He symbolizes resistance. The city honored him.
Avenue Beaurepaire stretches 330 meters. It is a modest 16 meters wide. It begins at the bustling Boulevard de Magenta and Rue Léon-Jouhaux. It ends near the tranquil Quai de Valmy.
As we walk, think about May 1, 1920. A photograph captures a moment. Police clash with protesters. This happened right at the corner of Boulevard de Magenta and Avenue Beaurepaire.
The unrest was part of larger strikes. The government feared insurrection. The city was full of police and soldiers. Even tanks patrolled the streets.
Tragedy struck at number 14 Avenue Beaurepaire. Madame Legros, 60, stood at her window. A stray bullet hit her. She died on the way to the hospital.
The photograph of the clash made headlines. It appeared in L’Humanité. Other newspapers had different views. Le Gaulois called it a “anarchist fiasco.” Le Figaro praised the “bourgeois” victory.
Marcel L’Herbier, a future film director, was born at number 16 Avenue Beaurepaire. This was his parents’ home.
Avenue Beaurepaire is more than bricks and mortar. It is a stage for Parisian life. It saw courage and tragedy. It saw everyday life. It saw political upheaval. As we leave Avenue Beaurepaire, remember its layers of history.