Hidden amongst Paris’s bustling streets lies Place Jules Gevelot. This unassuming square holds a fascinating story. It’s named after Jules Félix Gévelot a prominent 19th-century industrialist and politician.
Gévelot’s legacy extends far beyond this Parisian square. He was born in Paris in 1826. His father Joseph-Marin Gévelot founded a company manufacturing hunting weapons and military equipment around 1816. Jules inherited the business in 1843 at the young age of 18.
Gévelot’s company flourished. It expanded its production to include cartridges and war capsules. By 1869 the company produced 100 million units annually. This number tripled by the end of the 19th century.
His entrepreneurial spirit transformed his family’s business. It grew from humble beginnings to become the Société Française de Munitions (SFM) in 1884. By 1898 SFM occupied 50 buildings covering 70 hectares. His company showcased French industrial prowess at international exhibitions in London in 1861 and Paris in 1878. Gévelot’s contributions to French industry earned him a prominent place in history.
Beyond business Gévelot was an active politician. He served as a deputy from 1869 until his death. He also held the position of mayor of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. He was even involved in a bizarre incident in 1895. He was on a train from Argentan when it crashed through the Montparnasse station’s glass roof. The locomotive famously landed 10 meters away in Place de Rennes.
One amusing anecdote paints a picture of his character. After the Bishop of Séez refused to provide a chaplain for his château Gévelot retaliated. He paraded his carriage through Séez. The carriage doors displayed the bishop’s coat of arms. Dressed in purple he gave blessings to kneeling townspeople. Laughter echoed through the streets. The story travelled all the way to Bellou-en-Houlme his hometown.
Jules Gévelot died in 1904. He’s buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. His widow Emma continued his legacy. She presided over SFM for 23 years. Place Jules Gévelot serves as a quiet reminder of a remarkable life. A life blending industrial achievement political involvement and a touch of playful mischief.