Avenue de Chastenaye

Could an avenue be named after a remarkable woman? Here on Avenue de Chastenay in Châtenay-Malabry, the answer is a resounding yes. This avenue pays tribute to Victorine Chastenay, a remarkable French writer, translator, and memoirist. Born Louise-Marie-Victoire de Chastenay in Paris in 1771, Victorine lived through a turbulent period in French history. Avenue de Chastenay subtly reminds us of her resilience and strength. Imagine young Victorine, receiving an exceptional education for a woman of her time, mastering numerous subjects from mathematics to multiple languages. At just fourteen, she was named abbess of the noble chapter of Épinal. This title, though bringing privileges, was short-lived. The French Revolution swept across the nation, seizing church properties and dissolving the chapter. The Chastenay family fled Paris, seeking refuge in Normandy and later in Burgundy. During the Reign of Terror, Victorine’s father was denounced, prompting their escape attempt to Switzerland. Victorine was imprisoned, her ailing mother confined to a hospital. Later, through the efforts of a lawyer, Pierre François Réal, who later became a close friend, her father was acquitted. Avenue de Chastenay quietly echoes these dramatic years. Victorine, a gifted writer and translator, left her mark on French literature. She translated works by renowned authors like Oliver Goldsmith and Ann Radcliffe, and authored her own, including “Memoirs of Madame de Chastenay, 1771-1815,” a firsthand account of the revolutionary era. Despite numerous suitors, Victorine remained unmarried, maintaining her independence. She continued to write, even after developing cataracts, undergoing surgery to preserve her sight in one eye. Avenue de Chastenay stands as a testament to a woman who navigated tumultuous times with grace and intellect, leaving a legacy of words and resilience.