Long ago before the elegant Parisian boulevards existed there was a small village called Charonne. It sat nestled outside the city walls. The Boulevard de Charonne today follows the ancient path of those walls.
The Boulevard de Charonne a major artery in the 11th and 20th arrondissements of Paris has a rich history. It stretches for almost 1345 meters. Its central median is a prominent feature. The boulevard traces the old boundary of Paris. More specifically it roughly follows the path of the Ferme Generale wall. This wall was built in 1789. The wall was constructed to control the flow of goods into Paris. It was also meant to collect taxes.
The area south of the 20th arrondissement was once part of Charonne. The village’s name has a Celtic origin. Historians believe it references a spring or source of water. Numerous fountains once existed in the area. They gradually disappeared with urbanization.
Charonne was known for its vineyards. The people enjoyed drinking wine. Many taverns and guinguettes thrived there. They were outside the city’s tax area. So they provided cheaper drinks than Paris. The village’s wine production was an essential part of Paris’s economy. The village was annexed to Paris in 1860.
The Ferme Generale wall was started by King Louis XVI in 1785. This wall extended from the Place de la Nation to the Faubourg du Temple. Gates or barriers were placed along its length. These controlled access to Paris and imposed taxes on goods entering the city. The barrier de Charonne was one such gate. It stood where the street and the boulevard of Charonne intersect.
The Boulevard de Charonne is more than just a road. It’s a living testament to Paris’s evolution. It is a place where history meets modernity. It features remnants of the past. You can still see the pavilion and column of the old barriere du Trone. There are also several dedicated walkways. These include the Allees Pierre-Beregovoy Maya-Surduts and Neus-Catalana. They honor important figures. Number 65 boasts the city’s first electricity distribution substation. Number 123 is a student residence designed by Jean Prouve. A remarkable plane tree planted in 1880 also stands here.
So next time you walk along Boulevard de Charonne remember its past. Think of the villagers the vineyards the taxes and the wall. The Boulevard de Charonne is a vibrant part of Paris. Its past continues to shape its present. Its story is one of transformation. It is also a story of resilience. It is a story woven into the very fabric of the city.