‘The heart of Clamart beats a little stronger here. This is Place Jules Hunebelle. Who was Jules Hunebelle? Why does this place bear his name? Let’s uncover his story. Jules Hunebelle was born in 1818. He died in 1900. He was more than just a name. He was a man of action.
Hunebelle started as an engineer. He built railways with his brothers. They made a fortune. But the railway bubble burst. The brothers had to fight for their pay. Jules was a resilient entrepreneur. He diversified. In 1849, he bought a plaster quarry in Clamart. He transformed it into a successful business. Even before that, he was already present in the village in 1841. He witnessed a marriage. This was right after the arrival of the rail.
In 1856, Jules Hunebelle became the mayor of Clamart. He was appointed by decree. He didn’t leave his businesses behind. He also served as a judge. Hunebelle modernized Clamart. He brought telegraphs in 1865. Gas lighting arrived in 1867. Sewers were installed in 1868. He made local roads accessible. A new library was acquired in 1869. Under Hunebelle, Nadar took the first aerial photographs. Alphonse Daudet wrote “Lettres de mon moulin” here. He did this with Paul Arène.
The war of 1870 hit Clamart hard. Prussians occupied the town. It was on the front line for months. Parisian forces bombarded it. Many residents fled. The town was ruined. After the war, Hunebelle didn’t give up. He was named an officer of the Legion of Honor. He began rebuilding Clamart. The town revived thanks to vacationers. Generous donors like the Ferrari family helped. In 1890, Hunebelle paid to expand the Sainte-Émilie Hospice. In 1895, he renovated the town hall’s commission room.
Hunebelle’s family also benefited from his influence. He married Louise Defailly. After her death, he married Pauline Jung. She was much younger than him. He had no children from either marriage. His brother Adolphe Édouard became mayor of Deauville. Jules Hunebelle died in 1900. Clamart’s population had tripled during his time. He remains the longest-serving mayor of Clamart. He was also a general councillor of the Seine. He was an officer of the Legion of Honor. He was also an officer of Public Instruction.
The Salle des Fêtes Hunebelle sits here at Place Jules Hunebelle. It holds about 150 people. It is a municipal hall. It is a place for celebration and community. Jules Hunebelle left a lasting mark on Clamart. His name lives on in this square. Remember Jules Hunebelle. He was an entrepreneur. He was a mayor. He was a builder. He was a leader. He helped shape Clamart into what it is today. His legacy remains right here at Place Jules Hunebelle.’