“A villa” might sound like an Italian getaway. But here on Avenue Paul Dupont, it signifies something far more intriguing. This avenue, a private street in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, whispers tales of art, scandal, and legacy.
Avenue Paul Dupont isn’t just a road. It’s a carefully crafted environment envisioned by Paul Ernest Dupont himself. Dupont was a man of many talents. He was a businessman, a property developer, and an amateur painter.
Let’s step back to 1851. Paul Dupont acquired a large plot of land here. It was once part of the old faisanderie or Petit-Parc, linked to the Château de la Muette. Dupont built a house near the military zone. He created a path shared with his neighbor.
The construction of the Ligne d’Auteuil railway in 1854 transformed this property into a dead end. However, the creation of Avenue Foch at the same time increased the value of the district. Dupont created a development here without architectural unity. He wanted to preserve his environment. So the pavilions on one side were surrounded by gardens.
Paul Dupont built a large residence for his children at numbers 24-26 in 1891. The Avenue Paul Dupont would be modified after his death in 1891. The covering of the railway trench around 1930 didn’t restore access to Boulevard de l’Amiral-Bruix. Villas had been built, preserving the street’s tranquility.
The former Cité Dupont took the name “Villa Dupont” by decree. Today, the avenue remains the undivided property of Paul Dupont’s heirs. Residents only have a right of way. Parking is limited to loading and unloading. Since 1959, residents have been associated with the founder’s heirs. They manage the avenue through a union association.
Now, let’s talk about the avenue’s notable residents. Number 4 was the studio of sculptor Félix Desruelles. The poet Maeterlinck lived at number 5. He lived there with the singer Georgette Leblanc. Sacha Guitry and Charlotte Lysès resided at number 15. Filmmaker Pierre Schoendoerffer also lived there. Jacques Becker and Édouard Molinaro lived at number 22. The polemicist Henri Rochefort lived at number 25. President Henri Poincaré also lived there.
A darker tale surrounds number 28. The Filipino painter Juan Luna killed his wife and mother-in-law there in 1892. The infamous Belle Otero resided at number 29. Prince Chahriar Chafik, nephew of the Shah of Iran, was assassinated at number 30.
Avenue Paul Dupont is more than just a street. It’s a tapestry woven with threads of ambition, art, and human drama. As you walk along this quiet avenue, remember the man who envisioned it. Remember the artists, writers, and even those touched by scandal, who once called it home. It is a hidden gem in the heart of Paris, steeped in history and intrigue.