Thirty-eight meters. That’s how far Jean-François Boyvin de Bonnetot soared above the Seine. He launched himself from the roof of the Hôtel de Bouillon at number one Quai Voltaire. He’d fashioned wings. A truly ambitious flight attempt.
Welcome to the Quai Voltaire a street with a rich history. This elegant Parisian quay is more than just a picturesque riverside promenade. It’s a place where history unfolds at every turn.
Originally part of the Quai Malaquais it was renamed in 1791. The name honors Voltaire the renowned writer who died here in 1778. His passing marked the end of an era. But the Quai Voltaire’s story continued. After Honoré de Balzac’s novel La Peau de chagrin featured the location antique shops sprang up. The area became a hub for booksellers.
Consider number three and five Quai Voltaire. They housed the Hôtel Le Barbier the Hôtel Perrault and the Hôtel de La Briffe. Once a single unit they were connected by a secret tunnel to the Rue de Bourbon. Maurice Joly a writer lived there. He died in 1878 in a small apartment. In 1887 the Sennelier shop opened. It became a legendary supplier of art supplies to famous artists. Cézanne Degas Gauguin Pissarro Soutine Modigliani Kandinsky Bonnard and Picasso all shopped there. Their brushes touched the very colors that gave life to this historic street.
And then there’s the Hôtel de Bouillon. This building boasts a fascinating history. Built in 1768 it witnessed Boyvin de Bonnetot’s ill-fated flight. Later it became the site of Thomas Robert Bugeaud’s death in 1849. Most recently President Jacques Chirac made it his family home after his presidency in 2007.
So walk along this magnificent street. Every building holds its own story. The Quai Voltaire isn’t just a street. It’s a living testament to history art and the enduring spirit of Paris. It is a place where the past whispers secrets to those who listen closely.