Avenue du Duc de Trévise

Can you believe this quiet street, Avenue du Duc de Trèvise, was once a hotbed of gossip and intrigue? Avenue du Duc de Trèvise, tucked away in Paris’s 9th arrondissement, has seen a lot of history. It was originally part of the marshal’s mansion. It later became a haven for the wealthy during the July Monarchy. The avenue is named after Edouard Mortier, Duke of Treviso, who died in 1835 protecting King Louis-Philippe from an assassin. This quiet, almost hidden avenue, is a perfect example of July Monarchy architecture. Think neo-Renaissance, with ornate floral decorations around doorways. Look closely at number 6 for a beautiful example. In the center is a small, gated square. It features a fountain of the Three Graces sculpted by Francisque-Joseph Duret. This fountain is a replica of a sculpture by Germain Pilon. The original was part of a funerary monument for King Henry II’s heart. Now it sits in the Louvre. Avenue du Duc de Trèvise also housed some notable figures. Number 1 was home to Anatole de la Forge, a diplomat turned journalist turned resistance fighter. Number 3 housed both composer Adolphe Adam and author Alexandre Dumas. Dumas wrote “The Chevalier de Maison Rouge” while living here. Later, the Spanish writer Max Aub lived at the same address. He actually held four nationalities throughout his life: German, French, Spanish, and Mexican. The Société des Gens de Lettres, founded by Balzac, Sand, Hugo, and Dumas, was once at number 14. This very spot was home to the first basketball game in France and Europe, played in the gymnasium of the YMCA in 1893. The avenue’s hidden nature and period architecture make it a popular filming location today. It has a charm that transports you back to the 19th century, despite the modern-day motorcycles parked at either end.