Majestic is the word that springs to mind as you stand before the Centre de secours Chaligny. This isn’t just any fire station. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Paris.
The Centre de secours Chaligny stands at the corner of Rue Chaligny and Boulevard Diderot. It lies in the heart of the 12th arrondissement. Adjectives like superb, atypical, historic, and remarkable barely do it justice. The Centre de secours Chaligny serves as the command post for the first company of the second Fire and Rescue Group. Construction began in 1883. It was spearheaded by Colonel Jean-Gabriel Paris and later by Colonel Paul Couston.
Colonel Paris saw a simple need. He wanted to improve the living conditions for Parisian firefighters. Their existing barracks were ill-suited and often unsanitary. He also envisioned housing horses permanently in the barracks. This would reduce response times to fires. At the time, horse-drawn vehicles were developing. However, horses were not kept at the fire stations. They had to be requested via telegraph from the Compagnie générale des omnibus.
The Centre de secours Chaligny changed everything. It was inaugurated on February 26, 1886, by Prefect Eugène Poubelle. It became the first barracks fully adapted for horse-drawn firefighting. Several other fire stations were built based on its model. These included Ternes, Malar, Plaisance, and Montmartre.
Notice the facade. It is protected by two sentry boxes. The building’s front is a treasure of Parisian architecture. The beautiful limestone and intricate ornaments were crafted by architect Georges Roussi. The facade is composed of three sections.
The lower section features the building’s imposing entrance. It is framed by two columns. Above it is a mascaron sculpted by Louis Oscar Roty. He is famous for creating La Semeuse. The barracks’ pediment shows a woman’s face. It is surrounded by oak and laurel leaves. A crested helmet and ropes also adorn it. A lance, bucket, and axe complete the design. The central part of the facade features the inscription “sapeurs-pompiers.” This sits above six large windows on two floors. The upper section includes the roof and three richly decorated windows.
Back in April 1886, Le Génie Civil dedicated four pages to the Centre de secours Chaligny. A passage about the garages is particularly interesting. The garages open directly onto Rue de Chaligny. The steam pump garage is especially noteworthy. It houses a steam pump and a hose-carrying vehicle. Each apparatus is aligned with its exit bay. There is ample space to move around each one. Behind the apparatus are stalls for fully harnessed horses. At the first signal, they would move to the shafts. The steam pump could be rapidly put into operation.
The pump connected to a small tubular boiler in the basement via pipes. This boiler was heated by gas. It maintained a pressure of about 3 kilograms. The connection pipes’ stopcocks were open. Only one stopcock on the pipe was closed. An electrical trigger controlled it. It activated simultaneously with the alarm bell. The pump’s boiler could be conveniently refilled in 34 seconds. During this time, the pre-prepared fire was lit. The horses moved to the shafts. The doors opened automatically with the alarm. In one minute, the steam pump was ready to go.
Today, three Vehicles for Rescue and Assistance to Victims and a Normal Departure have replaced the steam pump and horses. Yet, the Centre de secours Chaligny retains its 1886 spirit. The modern red fire suits and helmets contrast with the historic cobblestones of the fire hall. This creates a unique atmosphere.
In conclusion, the 1886 review stated the Chaligny barracks were very well done. All the improvements dictated by careful studies are present. Colonel Couston and his officers pursued these ardently. Architect Roussi successfully realized these perfections. He satisfied all hygienic needs and technical necessities.
The Centre de secours Chaligny is not just a building. It is a testament to the evolution of firefighting in Paris. It blends historical charm with modern functionality. A truly unique place.