“A Roman road? Really?” I hear you whisper. That’s right. Avenue Philippe de Girard in Paris boasts a history far older than its current name suggests. Avenue Philippe de Girard isn’t just a street. It’s a living timeline stretching back to Roman times. This very avenue you are standing on once formed part of an ancient Roman road a route for transporting tin. Can you imagine the carts rumbling along this very path centuries ago?
Avenue Philippe de Girard owes its name to Philippe Henri de Girard a brilliant French engineer and inventor. He’s known for his ingenious flax-spinning machine. This machine revolutionized textile production. His innovations spread throughout Europe impacting countless lives. Avenue Philippe de Girard stands as a testament to his legacy.
But the story of Avenue Philippe de Girard doesn’t begin with Girard. Long before he lived this avenue was known as “chemin des Potences” the Road of Gallows. Why? Near the Boulevard de la Chapelle stood Les Potences or Butte des Potences a gruesome site. This was an annex to the infamous gibbet of Montfaucon. Imagine the grim atmosphere. Think of the executions. Three windmills once stood nearby the Moulin des Potences the Moulin du Poulet-Bleu and the Moulin de la Tour. They were stark reminders of the area’s dark past.
Later the northern part of Avenue Philippe de Girard belonged to the commune of La Chapelle-Saint-Denis. It had a different name then. It was called Rue de Chabrol. The southern part was Rue de la Chapelle. These two distinct streets eventually merged in 1865 becoming the Avenue Philippe de Girard we know today.
A veterinary school once stood on Avenue Philippe de Girard. Claude Bourgelat a renowned veterinarian established this school in 1764. It’s considered a precursor to the prestigious National Veterinary School of Alfort. This school is located near numbers 26-28 on the eastern side of the avenue.
Even today Avenue Philippe de Girard holds surprises. Number 12 is particularly noteworthy. This building once housed the Château-Landon fire station. Built between 1876 and 1879 it was the first fire station designed specifically for firefighters. Can you picture the horses and the fire engines? Today it houses a sustainable fashion incubator.
Avenue Philippe de Girard is more than just a route through Paris. It’s a captivating journey through time. It’s a tangible link to Roman history. It’s a celebration of human ingenuity and innovation. It’s a reminder of both grim history and modern progress. So take a moment soak in the atmosphere and feel the weight of history beneath your feet.