Is it possible for a street to carry a secret? Here on Avenue Marie Amélie, in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, the answer is a definite yes. This isn’t just another Parisian street, it is a place with a story etched in its very cobblestones.
Avenue Marie Amélie stretches a mere 179 meters. It runs from 91 Rue Saint-Dominique to 170 bis Rue de Grenelle. Its width spans only 12 meters. Yet, within this short space lies a tale of property disputes and a father’s affection.
Originally, back in 1772, Messieurs Wauthy and Fabus de Maisoncelle owned land here. They sought permission to create a street 24 feet wide. They were to donate the land needed for this project. However, only one owner complied.
Consequently, the street was built only half the intended width. This issue persisted until 1823. Then, Monsieur Pihan de Laforest stepped in. He was a local property owner. Along with other residents, he petitioned for the original plan to be completed.
The authorities responded favorably. By ministerial decree, the street, previously known only as “Rue Projetée” was officially named “Rue Amélie”. It was named after Monsieur Pihan de Laforest’s daughter. A charming tribute immortalized in the city’s very fabric.
However, disputes continued. The city and landowners argued about the land needed to fully realize the street’s planned width. In 1826, the court ruled against the city. An 1832 decree ordered fences to be built at both ends of Rue Amélie.
Eventually, the public was allowed to circulate on Avenue Marie Amélie by order of the police prefect. The street’s story had many twists. A planned expansion never fully materialized.
Number 19 Avenue Marie Amélie holds its own interesting past. From 1980 to 2022, it was home to the Centre de Sociologie des Organisations of the IEP de Paris. The Centre d’Études Arctiques, led by Jean Malaurie, and the Centre International de Recherche sur l’Environnement et le Développement, led by Olivier Godard, were also housed there. Even the Éditions Denoël had their offices here. They used the deconsecrated chapel as a warehouse.
More recently, in 2018, Kristin Harmel published “The Room on Rue Amelie”. It is a work of historical fiction inspired by this very street.
So, as you walk down Avenue Marie Amélie, remember its layered past. It is a story of urban planning. It is a fight for space. It is a father’s love immortalized in a street name.