“Avenue Joseph Joffre. Ever heard of him?” I ask. It is more than just a name on a street sign in Paris’s 7th arrondissement. It’s a tribute to a figure who played a crucial role in French history. This place Joffre, as it’s sometimes called, separates the École Militaire from the Champ-de-Mars.
Avenue Joseph Joffre owes its name to Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre. He was a Marshal of France. More importantly, he was the commander-in-chief of the French armies during World War I. He earned the title “Victor of the Marne” for his strategic victory at the First Battle of the Marne in 1914.
Imagine Paris in 1914. German forces were advancing rapidly. The French army was in retreat. Panic gripped the city. Joseph Joffre remained calm. He recognized the German army’s vulnerability. Joffre shifted his troops. He created a new army to counter the German advance. His cool head and strategic thinking saved Paris. It ruined Germany’s hopes for a swift victory.
The avenue itself wasn’t always named after Joffre. Before 1933, this section was part of Avenue de la Motte-Picquet. Later, the city honored the Marshal by renaming it Avenue Joseph Joffre.
Look around at Place Joffre. At its center stands an equestrian statue of Marshal Joffre. The sculptor Maxime Real del Sarte created it. It was cast by the Rudier foundry. Jacques Laffillée was the architect. Inaugurated in 1939, the statue shows Joffre on horseback. It mirrors the equestrian statue of Marshal Foch at Place du Trocadéro.
Beneath your feet, lies a piece of Parisian history. An old metro station, Champ de Mars, once stood here. Though no longer in use, you can still see remnants of its entrance.
In 2021, the Grand Palais Éphémère was set up here. It replaced the Wall for Peace. The temporary Grand Palais offered exhibition space during renovations of the main Grand Palais.
Avenue Joseph Joffre is more than just a location. It embodies a moment of crisis. It showcases leadership and remembrance. As you stroll along this avenue, remember the man it honors. Think about the battle he won. Consider the impact he had on French history. Avenue Joseph Joffre is a reminder of courage and resilience in the face of adversity. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of Paris.