“Did you know Boulevard du Lycee in Vanves once bore a different name?” I ask. The boulevard stretches before us a seemingly ordinary Parisian street. But its history is anything but ordinary.
Boulevard du Lycee in Vanves is more than just a road. It’s a living timeline. It reflects the changing landscape of France. It connects the past with the present.
The boulevard’s name originates from the Lycee Michelet. However this wasn’t always the case. From 1946 to 1947 it was renamed Boulevard de Stalingrad. This honored the brave soldiers of the Battle of Stalingrad. The change came after the election of Rene Plazanet.
Long before the lycee stood a chateau. This chateau of Vanves likely dates back to the mid-17th century. It was rebuilt in 1704. During the French Revolution it was sold as national property. The Prytane Francais bought it in 1798. They established an educational institution there. The school expanded in 1859. A chapel was added. In 1864 it became the Lycee du Prince-Imperial.
At the start of the 20th century a tax office stood at the corner of Avenue du General-de-Gaulle. It was shared with Issy-les-Moulineaux. In 1867 the boulevard extended towards the old town hall. This was part of a larger urban plan. The plan aimed to improve access to Fort d’Issy and the Clamart train station.
Boulevard du Lycee is more than just asphalt and buildings. It’s a pathway through time. A journey through French history. It represents a changing France. It is a vital link to Vanves’s past. It is a street we can all relate to a street that has seen it all. It quietly bears witness to centuries of change.