Didn’t this location once bear a different name? The Place du Président Salvador Allende in Paris has an interesting past. It wasn’t always known by its current name. It was originally named Place de Santiago-du-Chili. This was because of the nearby Chilean embassy.
Let’s delve into the story of this Parisian square. The Place du Président Salvador Allende is located in the 7th arrondissement. It sits where Boulevard de La Tour-Maubourg meets Avenue de La Motte-Picquet and Rue de Grenelle. This intersection makes it a prominent spot.
The renaming of the square in 2003 wasn’t without controversy. Despite opposition from local residents and a negative opinion from the district council led by Michel Dumont, the then-mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, renamed the square. Jacques Chonchol, a former agriculture minister under President Allende, was present at the renaming ceremony. This act honored Salvador Allende. He was a physician and the President of Chile from 1970 to 1973.
Interestingly, the square Santiago-du-Chili, located across from the Place du Président Salvador Allende, kept its original name. It is situated on the other side of Avenue de la Motte-Picquet. It was inaugurated in 1865.
The Place du Président Salvador Allende has some notable features. A white marble fountain graces the square. The architect Gabriel Davioud designed it in 1864. Théophile Murguet sculpted it. Originally, this fountain stood in Place de la Madeleine. Its counterpart can be found in Place François-Ier. Also, a stone statue of Vauban stands here. Henri Bouchard sculpted this statue.
So, as we stand here at the Place du Président Salvador Allende, remember its story. It reflects Paris’s connection to international figures and events. It also highlights how public spaces can evolve. They mirror changing values and political landscapes.