“Amédée-Auguste. Remember that name” I say to you. It’s a name linked to a street with a rich history. Rue Amédée Jouy may not be the most famous street in Paris. Yet it holds secrets and echoes of a bygone era. It whispers tales of revolution banking and influential families.
The story begins with Claude Perier a man of considerable wealth and ambition. Before the French Revolution Claude Perier was already known as “Perier-Milord” in Grenoble. He built a financial empire that would shape the destiny of his family for generations. Claude Perier’s children rose to prominence becoming leading Paris bankers. They became regents of the Bank of France and owner-directors of Anzin. They also took seats in municipal tribunals and chambers of commerce.
But who was Amédée-Auguste? Amédée-Auguste was one of Claude Perier’s twelve children. He served as an Auditor Conseil d’État. While he may not be as famous as some of his siblings his life was intertwined with the Perier family’s rise to power.
To truly understand Rue Amédée Jouy we must delve into the story of Claude Perier. Claude played a pivotal role in the French Revolution. He opened his Château de Vizille to a meeting of the estates of the province of Dauphiné. This heralded the coming of the French Revolution. Claude saw the benefits of a free government. He supported resistance against the monarchy. Nearly 500 people gathered at his château. There he provided a banquet for the deputies of the province.
Claude Perier’s financial acumen was instrumental in establishing the Bank of France. In 1799-1800 he became one of its first regents. He helped draft the statutes of the bank. The Bank of France began its operations on February 29 1800.
Although Claude Perier made his fortune during the revolution he was once denounced as an enemy of the Revolution. He was accused of cupidity and supporting an anti-Jacobin revolt. Fortunately he had befriended Camille Teisseire a popular Jacobin member of Grenoble’s municipal council.
After the Thermidorian Reaction Claude shifted his business activity to Paris. He resided at Rue Saint-Honoré. In Paris Claude made contacts with leading merchant-manufacturers and money-managers. His first financial coup came in 1795. He participated in a major loan to the owners of the Anzin Coal Company. Anzin would be a major client of the Paris bank founded by two of Claude’s sons.
Claude Perier died in Paris on February 6 1801. He left behind an enormous fortune and invaluable social and business connections. He had opened the doors to politics and high finance for the Perier family. Paris became the major arena of Perier business activity.
As you stroll along Rue Amédée Jouy imagine the echoes of Claude Perier’s footsteps. Think of Amédée-Auguste and his role in this influential family. Consider the revolution the banking and the legacy that shaped this Parisian street. It is a place where history whispers and fortunes were made.