“A governor’s avenue,” I mused, “named after Louis Gustave Binger.” Avenue du Gouverneur Général Louis Binger, a rather grand title for this street in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés. But who was this Binger? He was a man of many hats – soldier, explorer, governor, and diplomat. Born in Strasbourg in 1856, Binger’s early life was marked by hardship. He joined the French army at eighteen, rising through the ranks to lieutenant. His adventurous spirit led him to Africa in 1882.
Avenue du Gouverneur Général Louis Binger echoes this pivotal moment in his life. Binger’s journey from Senegal to Grand Bassam, spanning 1887-1889, is where our story truly begins. He traversed the vast landscapes between the Niger River and the Gulf of Guinea. During this expedition, Binger debunked the myth of the Kong Mountains, a supposed barrier to coastal access. This discovery had significant strategic implications for French colonial ambitions. His detailed account, “Du Niger au golfe de Guinée,” cemented his reputation as a leading figure in modern colonization.
Binger believed that French intervention in the Niger region was necessary to establish “colonial peace”. He envisioned the development of infrastructure – roads, railroads – to exploit the area’s resources: gold, timber, rubber, and agricultural products. He advocated for a hands-off approach by the state. Binger favored granting concessions to private companies, believing this would stimulate economic growth without burdening the colonial administration.
Avenue du Gouverneur Général Louis Binger represents not only a street but a turning point in Binger’s career. Following his explorations, he became governor of the Ivory Coast in 1893. His tenure was marked by efforts to develop the colony’s infrastructure and secure its financial stability. However, Binger spent a considerable amount of time in Paris, attending to his health and other matters. His focus shifted from exploration to diplomacy. He served as a delegate in various boundary commissions, negotiating with Britain and Germany to define colonial borders.
Binger’s later years were marked by a pursuit of financial gain. He became involved in gold mining companies in West Africa, seeking to capitalize on the burgeoning speculation in the region’s mineral resources. Avenue du Gouverneur Général Louis Binger stands as a quiet reminder of this complex and ambitious figure. From humble beginnings as a soldier, he rose to become a governor, explorer, and ultimately, a businessman. His story, like this avenue, is a testament to the ambition and contradictions of the colonial era.