Ever wondered about the origins of Chaussée de la Muette? Its name whispers of a regal past. The Chaussée de la Muette a street in the 16th arrondissement of Paris is named after the Château de la Muette. This chateau was once a hunting lodge. It was later transformed into a small castle for Margaret of Valois. She was the first wife of King Henry IV of France.
The exact meaning of “Muette” remains a mystery. It could derive from “meute” an old spelling for a pack of hounds. Another possibility is “mues” the horns stags shed. Or perhaps it refers to the “mue” the moulting period of hunting hawks. The original château was sadly demolished in the 1920s. It made way for a luxurious housing estate. However a new Château de la Muette was built nearby in 1922. This magnificent building now houses the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The Chaussée de la Muette itself is a long street. It runs from the intersection of Rue de Boulainvilliers and Avenue Paul-Doumer. It extends westward almost reaching the Jardin du Ranelagh. It’s divided into two sections. The eastern section is lined with buildings. The western section is undeveloped. It was historically kept free of construction to preserve the aesthetic of the park.
Today the Chaussée de la Muette boasts various notable buildings. At number one stands a Chanel boutique. Number eight was once home to the writer Henry Bordeaux. A commemorative plaque honors his memory. Number ten housed a former hotel-restaurant. The playwright Albert Guinon resided there. There’s also number eleven a building designed by Émile Thion in 1899. A plaque commemorates General Charles Delestraint who was arrested near the metro station. Number twelve is home to the brasserie La Rotonde de la Muette. It has undergone recent renovations. Number seventeen holds a tragic history. A mason was killed during construction there in 1902.
The Chaussée de la Muette is more than just a street. It’s a living testament to Paris’s rich history. It blends elegance with a touch of mystery. Each building tells a unique story. Each whispers an untold anecdote. The street’s name continues to intrigue. It is a legacy of royalty hunting and a fascinating urban development. The Chaussée de la Muette a street where history and modernity intertwine. It is a street you won’t forget.