The first units to liberate Paris rolled down this very avenue. Can you imagine the scene?
Boulevard du Général Leclerc isn’t just a street. It’s a living testament to history and resilience. It’s a major thoroughfare in Paris. It holds a significant place in the city’s liberation during World War II. Before its current name it was Avenue d’Orléans. This name reflected its ancient past. This road served as part of the Via Turonensis. This is a historic pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
For centuries the avenue was a key artery. It connected Paris to Orléans and beyond. It extended all the way to the Spanish border. It was known as the Route d’Orléans. The annexation of Petit-Montrouge by Paris in 1860 brought this road under Parisian jurisdiction. A street sign at number 109 still recalls its former name.
On August 25 1944 General Leclerc’s 2nd Armored Division entered Paris. They came primarily through the Porte d’Orléans. They followed the Route Nationale 20 and other parallel routes. A large number of French and Allied troops used Avenue d’Orléans to reach strategic points in the city.
In 1948 Avenue d’Orléans was renamed Boulevard du Général Leclerc. This honored Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque. He was the general who commanded the 2nd Armored Division. The official renaming ceremony took place on November 11 1948. General Charles de Gaulle himself gave a speech. This was his last public appearance before retiring temporarily.
The boulevard boasts remarkable buildings and sites of memory. Number 4 was the home of sociologist Émile Durkheim. Number 5 housed the Café du Lion. It was a chess club frequented by Lenin in the early 20th century. It also served as a meeting place for Bolsheviks. Today it’s a McDonald’s. Number 15 was once the La Rochefoucauld Hospital. It was founded in 1780. It was initially located outside the Barrière d’Enfer. This hospital closed its doors in 2019.
Other notable locations include the former Moulin de l’Amour at numbers 26-28. This mill dates back to the 12th century. Number 104 was the site of Sonia Rykiel’s first boutique. And number 110 was the home of painter Marc Chagall.
So next time you walk along the Boulevard du Général Leclerc remember its rich history. Remember its connection to liberation. Remember the people who lived worked and fought here. This street is more than just a road. It’s a vibrant tapestry of Paris’ past and present.