Avenue Gugnon

Have you ever heard of a street named after a glassmaker? Avenue Gugnon in Nogent-sur-Marne is just that. Avenue Gugnon is linked to the legacy of Auguste Raphaël Gugnon, a prominent glassmaker in 19th-century Paris. Auguste was part of a family dynasty that specialized in “mousseline” glass, a decorative style that mimicked the delicate texture of muslin fabric. His father, Louis Napoléon Gugnon, had established the family’s first workshop in La Chapelle-Saint-Denis around 1860. Auguste took over the business in 1864, relocating it to 130 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis. This street housed other related businesses. His brother-in-law, Joseph Edouard Aubriot, co-founded a similar workshop, Aubriot-Gugnon, nearby at 188-190 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis. This area became a hub for innovative glassmaking techniques. Auguste and Aubriot even collaborated on inventing a special kiln. This kiln was essential for firing the decorative glass panels. Avenue Gugnon stands as a quiet reminder of this family’s significant contribution to the decorative arts. The Gugnon family workshops weren’t just about producing glass. They also created entire stained-glass windows. These windows, featuring mousseline glass, adorned buildings throughout Paris and beyond. A rare photograph of the Gugnon Fils workshop offers a glimpse into their operations. It depicts a bustling space filled with equipment. There are kilns, racks, and even an early version of a crane. Workers in period clothing move amongst the machinery, handling delicate glass panels. An intriguing detail is the large mousseline glass panel depicted in the photograph. It features a Greek frieze and a central motif, a design that has been found in Metz, the Gugnon family’s hometown. The photograph, along with surviving advertisements for Gugnon Fils, offers a valuable window into the world of 19th-century glassmaking. Avenue Gugnon, though a quiet residential street today, carries a hidden history. It connects us to the legacy of a family. This family shaped the landscape of Parisian architecture with their innovative glass creations.