Chaussée de l’Étang Neuf

Gazing across the serene expanse of l’Étang Neuf, one can almost feel the weight of history settle upon Chaussée de l’Étang Neuf. This tranquil road, shared by both Ville-d’Avray and Paris, holds a secret. It whispers tales of a time long past, a time when kings and castles shaped the very landscape we see today. Chaussée de l’Étang Neuf, meaning “Road of the New Pond,” takes its name from the very waters that lap at its edge. These waters, once known simply as “l’étang” or “the pond,” became “new” in the 13th century, marking a pivotal shift in the area’s history. Our journey back in time begins with the ambitious Philippe le Hardi, also known as Philip III of France. Driven by a vision of royal grandeur, he set his sights on transforming the area around Vincennes. Around 1275, he ordered the displacement of Saint-Mandé’s inhabitants to make way for the construction of the Château de Vincennes. Imagine the upheaval, the families uprooted, seeking new homes and livelihoods. Many of these displaced individuals found refuge along the edges of the pond, just outside the imposing castle walls. To protect their fledgling community from the pond’s unpredictable waters, they constructed a causeway, a raised road that offered both safety and access. This causeway, known in Old French as “la chiaussée de l’Estanc,” is the very ancestor of the road we stand upon today, Chaussée de l’Étang Neuf. First documented in 1276, this “Road of the Pond” became a lifeline for the new community. As centuries passed, Chaussée de l’Étang Neuf witnessed the transformation of the surrounding landscape. The pond itself evolved into the Lac de Saint-Mandé, a popular recreational spot. Elegant 19th and early 20th-century buildings grace the road’s even-numbered side. These structures, with their prime views of the lake and the Bois de Vincennes, represent some of the most luxurious residences in Saint-Mandé. Chaussée de l’Étang Neuf stands as a silent witness to the enduring power of human resilience. Born from the displacement of a community, it transformed into a symbol of enduring life and prosperity. As you stroll along its peaceful banks, remember the echoes of the past, the families who sought refuge by the water’s edge, and the road that connected them to a new beginning.