“Revolution.” That’s the spirit imbued in the very name of the Rue Henri-Barbusse. Today, we stand at the Rond-Point Henri Barbusse. This is more than just a street. It’s a tribute to a man of letters and action.
Henri Barbusse was a French novelist, journalist, and activist. He lived from 1873 to 1935. The street carries the weight of his legacy.
Originally, the northern part of this street was named Rue Denfert-Rochereau. In 1946, it was renamed Rue Henri-Barbusse. This renaming honored the writer Henri Barbusse. He is famous for his book “L’Enfer.” That translates to “Hell.”
Barbusse was not just a writer. He was a man of deep conviction. Before World War I, Barbusse was a pacifist. He volunteered for wartime service in 1914. He earned the Croix de Guerre for his bravery. The horrors of war transformed him. He became convinced that revolution was needed. He felt it was the only way to end militarism.
After the war, Barbusse became a communist. He was against fascism. He supported the Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union. He even wrote a biography of Stalin. He contributed to the cult of personality around the leader.
The Rue Henri-Barbusse itself has interesting features. Number 2 Rue Henri Barbusse is a building from the early 19th century. Numbers 3-7 have a wall. It encloses the Institut National des Jeunes Sourds. This institute for deaf children has been here since 1794. Number 3 also has a unique feature. It is the location of the Arcueil aqueduct’s water intake. This provides water for the Institut des Sourds-Muets.
At number 8, a bas-relief adorns the first floor. It shows a Greek war scene. This was once the home of Prosper Blanchemain and his son Paul. Their initials are above the carriage entrance.
Sadly, the house at number 10 was demolished in 2018. It used to be a place where many artists lived and worked. The Moroccan Cultural Center will be built here.
Number 17 is home to the Lycée Lavoisier. The sculptor François Rude also lived here. He lived here with his wife Sophie Frémiet. He lived here in 1826. He died in 1855. The house is a single story with attic windows. It has been a historical monument since 1990.
The painter Kees van Dongen had his studio at number 33. He was here from 1912 to 1917. José Charlet an architect, painter and sculptor lived at number 37.
The part of Rue Henri-Barbusse in the 14th arrondissement. It runs along the Port-Royal maternity hospital. This is on the site of the old Port-Royal Abbey of Paris.
As you stand here at the Rond-Point Henri Barbusse. Remember the man behind the name. Remember his journey from poet to soldier to revolutionary. This street is a reminder of a life lived with passion and conviction. A life dedicated to changing the world.