Curious to know how a street got its name from a convent? Boulevard de Bellechasse has a story that stretches back centuries. This street in Paris is more than just a path. It is a journey through time.
Boulevard de Bellechasse is located in the 7th arrondissement. It runs from Rue de Lille to Rue de Varenne. The street’s history is rich and varied.
In 1636, a man named Barbier donated land. This land was called the “clos de Bellechasse”. It went to religious women. They were called Chanoinesses regulieres. They belonged to the Order of the Sepulchre of Jerusalem. They built a convent there. It became known as the Religious Women of Pantemont.
During the French Revolution, the buildings were seized in 1790. Later, Napoleon decided to turn it into a Protestant temple in 1802.
The name “Bellechasse” stuck. It eventually became the name of the street. The street’s origin can be traced back to different times. The oldest part between Rue de l’Universite and Rue Saint-Dominique existed in 1652. The southern part between Rue de Grenelle and Rue de Varenne also existed in 1652. It was known as Rue Hillerin Bertin. Hillerin Bertin owned the surrounding land.
Louis XIV acquired some of the land. He wanted to build the Hotel des Invalides. Later, the section north of Rue de Lille was built. It was named Rue de Belle Chasse. In 1850, all the sections were united. They became today’s Boulevard de Bellechasse.
In 1910, the floods hit Boulevard de Bellechasse hard. The water was more than a meter deep between the Legion of Honor and Rue de Verneuil. The wooden pavement floated on the water.
Many notable people have lived on Boulevard de Bellechasse. The economist Alfred de Foville lived here. John Hervey, the 7th Marquis of Bristol, also resided here.
At number 31, Alphonse Daudet lived from 1885 to 1897. His wife hosted Marcel Proust in their salon. Gaspard Monge and Jean-Antoine Villemin died here. Plaques commemorate them.
Today, Boulevard de Bellechasse is home to important institutions. The Yves Saint Laurent headquarters is located at numbers 37-39. It occupies the former Abbaye de Penthemont. The Academie d’Agriculture de France is at number 18. A marker shows the water level of the 1910 flood.
Standing here, imagine the nuns in their convent. Picture the floods of 1910. Think of the famous figures who walked this street. Boulevard de Bellechasse is not just a street. It is a living story of Paris. Its history echoes with every step we take.