“A street in Paris, France.” Does that evoke images of romance and history? Avenue de Navarre is one such street. It is located in the 5th arrondissement.
Avenue de Navarre is steeped in Parisian history. This road is not just a route. It’s a journey through time.
The Avenue de Navarre is nearly 150 meters long. It begins at Rue Monge. The avenue follows an east-west axis. It runs along the south side of the Arènes de Lutèce. At the intersection with Rue des Arènes, it makes a right angle. This junction is now Place Émile-Mâle. The avenue ends at Rue Lacépède.
Avenue de Navarre likely stands as one of Paris’s oldest streets. It provides access to the Arènes de Lutèce. These arenas were built in the 1st century. For three centuries, it formed the end of Rue Rollin. Part of it was once called Rue de Montauban. In 1877, it was named Rue de Navarre. This name honors the nearby Collège de Navarre.
At number 4 lived Rose Valland. She was a museum curator and French Resistance member. She played a key role in saving over 60,000 artworks. These had been stolen by the Nazis. A plaque commemorates her bravery on Avenue de Navarre.
Paul Lemoine, a geologist, lived at number 9. Émile Mâle, a French academician, resided at number 11. He was an art historian. He specialized in French medieval Christian art. He lived here from 1900 until his death in 1954. A plaque honors him. The junction of Rue des Arènes and Avenue de Navarre is named Place Émile-Mâle. This is in his memory.
The Arènes de Lutèce borders the north side of Avenue de Navarre. They have their main entrance here. The historic entrance to Place Monge metro station is nearby. It is at the west end of the street.
Avenue de Navarre offers more than just a walk through Paris. It provides a connection to the city’s past. Here, history whispers from every corner.