Did you know that the Rue Alexandre de la Faluère in Vincennes bears the name of a man who once oversaw the forests of Paris?
Alexandre Claude Lefebvre de La Faluère was not just anyone. He was the Grand Master of Waters and Forests for Paris. This was between 1703 and 1745. Imagine the responsibility. He managed the vast woodlands surrounding the city.
Alexandre Claude Lefebvre de La Faluère was born in Veigné. He died in Bourbonne at the age of 72. His father was Alexandre Lefebvre. His father was a king’s advisor. He was also the treasurer of France and mayor of Tours. Alexandre Claude married twice. His first wife was Louise Thérèse Aubry. His second wife was Marguerite Rouillé.
King Louis XV himself tasked Alexandre Claude with reforesting the Bois de Vincennes. This was a significant project. It aimed to revitalize one of Paris’s important green spaces. An obelisk was erected in 1731 to commemorate this reforestation. Alexandre Claude’s name is inscribed on it. It recognizes his contribution to the Bois de Vincennes.
The Rue Alexandre de la Faluère is more than just a street name. It is a link to a man who shaped the landscape of Paris. It reminds us of the importance of preserving our natural spaces. The street is located in Vincennes. Vincennes is a commune in the Val-de-Marne department. This is in the eastern suburbs of Paris.
Today the Rue Alexandre de la Faluère serves as a reminder of a legacy. It connects us to a figure who played a vital role in the city’s history. Consider Alexandre Claude Lefebvre de La Faluère. His work lives on in the street that carries his name. It lives on in the reforested Bois de Vincennes. Next time you are in Paris, remember this unsung hero. He helped shape the city we know and love.