Stretching before us lies Avenue Marceau a Parisian street with stories etched into its very stones. This avenue marks the boundary between Paris’s 8th and 16th arrondissements. It is named after General François Séverin Marceau a hero of the French Revolution.
Avenue Marceau began its journey on August 13 1854. Initially it ran between Rue Circulaire and Place de l’Étoile. A decree on March 6 1858 extended it to Avenue de l’Empereur. For a brief period Avenue Marceau was named Avenue Joséphine in honor of Joséphine de Beauharnais. However history had other plans. On August 16 1879 another decree gave it the name we know today. This decree also renamed Rue de Wattignies in the 12th arrondissement to Rue Marceau.
Now let’s look at some of the buildings that line Avenue Marceau. At number 5 stands the Pierre Bergé Yves Saint Laurent Foundation. This was once the fashion house of Yves Saint Laurent. It has been transformed into a museum showcasing his iconic work.
Number 11 has a fascinating history. In 1937 the Basque government in exile bought this building. This followed the nationalists’ victory in the Spanish Civil War. Franco believed the building was acquired with public money. He demanded its return. In 1951 he won his case. The building then housed the cultural services of the Spanish embassy. Today it is the Octavio Paz Library of the Cervantes Institute.
At number 22 you will find headquarters of the Spanish embassy in France.
The Saint-Pierre-de-Chaillot church stands at number 31.
Avenue Marceau has been home to many notable people. The Countess of La Bédoyère died at number 32 in 1884. Albert Vandal a historian from the French Academy also died here in 1910. Fashion designer Jenny lived at number 34 until 1940.
The Russian sculptor Mark Antokolski lived and worked at number 71. He welcomed Anton Chekhov here in April 1898.
Sophie Marceau the actress actually owes her stage name to this very avenue. When filming her first movie La Boum in 1980 the director suggested she choose a pseudonym. The director showed her a map of Paris. She chose Avenue Marceau to keep the initials of her real name.
Avenue Marceau is more than just a street. It is a journey through Parisian history. It’s a blend of revolution fashion and art. As you walk along Avenue Marceau imagine the echoes of the past. Picture the generals the couturiers and the artists who once walked these same stones.