Picture this Place de la Boule in Nanterre. A bustling crossroads it is. A major roundabout connecting several Nanterre neighborhoods. This is not just any place. It has a rich history. A story woven through centuries.
Place de la Boule’s name comes from an inn. The Auberge de la Boule Royale. This inn was a significant stop for royal carriages. They traveled between Paris and Saint-Germain. The inn gave its name to the place. It’s a fascinating detail isn’t it?
Imagine the scene in 1778. A royal relay station stands here. Carriages carrying the king and court pass through. So do mail coaches. Even the diligences made their way through. They connected Paris and Rouen. This crossroads had just five roads. The route to Saint-Germain. The route from Paris. The road to the Calvaire. The path to Saint-Cloud. The Chemin de la Boule Royale.
Fast forward to 1890. A steam-powered tramway arrived. It connected Paris and Saint-Germain. Businesses sprung up around Place de la Boule. The area became lively. It was a place for fairs and festivities.
In 1935 the steam tramway was replaced. It was replaced by a faster bus service. In 1950 Avenue Vladimir-Ilitch-Lénine opened. It connected the Place directly to Chatou. It bypassed the Nanterre center. Then in 1959 Avenue Joliot-Curie opened. It created a direct route to La Garenne-Colombes. It bypassed the town center.
The 1960s saw the construction of large apartment buildings. The AOTEP buildings. They were built between the Place. They were built between Avenue Joliot-Curie and Avenue Georges-Clemenceau. Around 1965 Motta company’s headquarters moved there.
Renovations in the early 2000s transformed the area. Overpasses were removed. An eco-district was created. The Place de la Boule is constantly evolving. A testament to its enduring importance. The planned arrival of the Grand Paris Express metro line. And the tramway T1 will further change the area. This place is preparing for its future. It’s a place of change. But one with a deep-rooted past.
The Place de la Boule holds many stories. It is a story of royal journeys. It is a story of industrial growth. It’s a story of modern development. It’s a story of a place that continues to evolve. A place that has witnessed centuries of change. It’s a captivating story indeed.