Here on the Boulevard de l’Ouest Prolongé, we find ourselves on a road whose name echoes through time. It speaks of direction and place. But to truly understand this boulevard, we need to understand the nuances of its name.
The name “Boulevard de l’Ouest” is not unique to this location. It is shared by another boulevard in Le Raincy. That one forms a circuit with three other boulevards. They mark the limits of the city.
This Boulevard de l’Ouest in Le Raincy owes its name to its orientation. It sits in relation to the Boulevard du Nord, Boulevard de l’Est, and Boulevard du Midi. These encircle Le Raincy.
The Boulevard de l’Ouest in Le Raincy has a rich history linked to the Château du Raincy. Originally, the château’s park blended seamlessly with the surrounding forest of Bondy. Jacques Bordier received permission to enclose the park around 1652. The four boulevards were built on the château’s old enclosure wall. This wall had five gates. These gates led to Gagny, Villemomble, Bondy, Chelles, and Livry.
The red border on Le Raincy’s coat of arms reminds us that the city was once enclosed by walls.
The Lycée Albert-Schweitzer stands on land that was once part of the Orangerie lot. This lot appears on plans for dividing the château’s park. Within the lycée’s grounds, there is still a pond. It was once part of the château’s park. The Scottish gardener Thomas Blaikie redesigned the park around 1787.
But let’s return to the name itself. The term “boulevard” has an interesting origin. It comes from the Flemish word “Bolwerc.” In military terms, this means an exterior fortification. It is a median in the walls of a fortress.
The transformation of Paris also provides context. From the Gallo-Roman period to Baron Haussmann’s work in 1860, Paris was surrounded by fortified walls. These walls expanded as the population grew. They defined the city’s limits.
Louis XIV decided the capital no longer needed defenses. He transformed the old wall into a promenade. It stretched for four kilometers. It went from La Madeleine to Bastille.
The boulevards became symbols of the 19th century. They were places of celebration and pleasure. Covered passages offered shelter from dust and dirt.
So, as we stand here on the Boulevard de l’Ouest Prolongé, remember the layers of history. Think about the walls, the gardens and the evolution of Paris. It is a story etched into the very name of this road.