The Mail Émile-Bollaert is a green haven right in the middle of the busy 19th arrondissement of Paris. Imagine a quiet, tree-lined walkway, a perfect escape from the Parisian hustle and bustle. It’s a serene haven, a place for relaxing walks and quiet contemplation. Hidden among the leafy plane trees and chestnut trees, it’s a space that was once home to the Claude-Bernard Hospital.
The Mail Émile-Bollaert has a fascinating history, named after Émile Bollaert, one of the most important resistance fighters of the Second World War. He was a politician, administrator, and a key figure in the resistance against the Nazi occupation. He even served as a representative of General de Gaulle at the National Resistance Council. This green space, however, wasn’t originally named after him. It was once called the Mail Claude-Bernard, in honor of the famed scientist and founder of experimental medicine.
The hospital was eventually transferred and the site transformed into this peaceful, green haven in 1998. While the Mail Émile-Bollaert is a contemporary green space, it resonates with the legacy of a man who dedicated his life to fighting for freedom. It’s a quiet reminder of the courage and sacrifice of those who fought against the Nazi regime and a tribute to a man who made a significant mark on French history.