A Parisian avenue named after royalty. Avenue Philippe Auguste a name echoing through history. This avenue in the 11th arrondissement isn’t just a street. It’s a living testament to Paris’s rich past. The avenue connects Place de la Nation to the intersection of Boulevards de Ménilmontant and de Charonne. It’s near Père Lachaise Cemetery. Imagine the area’s transformation over the centuries.
Avenue Philippe Auguste’s name honors King Philip II of France. His statue once stood on a column at the Barrière des Rats. This gate a tax collection point during the era of the Farmers-General Wall was built between 1784 and 1788. It was demolished in 1840. The avenue itself predates the 17th century. Its history is interwoven with the city’s growth.
The avenue has seen much change. A large cutlery and saw factory once occupied numbers 34 to 40. In 1870 a steam locomotive workshop opened at number 117. A gunpowder factory operated here briefly during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. It produced over 300 tons of black powder. Imagine the sounds and smells of industry.
During World War I in 1914 number 50 suffered a German air raid. In the 1920s architect Gustave Perret designed a modern building at number 77. This housed the Henri and Armand Esders clothing workshops. The building featured innovative reinforced concrete arches. Sadly it was demolished in 1960. Avenue Philippe Auguste reflects the city’s evolution.
Today Avenue Philippe Auguste is more residential and bourgeois. It is a popular area for Parisians due to its proximity to Place de la Nation. The first Surcouf computer store opened at 73 in 1992. Lycée Dorian is at 74. An organic supermarket also calls the avenue home. Avenue Philippe Auguste is a blend of old and new. It’s a place where history and modern life coexist. Its story is one of industry change and resilience. A Parisian avenue bearing witness to time.