Named for the French thinker and socialist revolutionary Louis Auguste Blanqui the Boulevard Auguste-Blanqui is more than just a street. It pulses with Parisian history. Let’s stroll along this iconic boulevard. We will discover its secrets.
The Boulevard Auguste-Blanqui stretches 1040 meters. It is approximately 70 meters wide. This grand avenue links Place d’Italie to Rue de la Santé. It marks the edge of the 14th arrondissement. The boulevard then transforms into Boulevard Saint-Jacques.
Originally the Boulevard Auguste-Blanqui was part of the ancient Wall of the Farmers-General. This wall was knocked down in the 1860s. Before that time roadways ran alongside it. On the outside was Boulevard d’Italie. It ran between Place d’Italie and Rue de la Glacière. Beyond Rue de la Glacière it became Boulevard de la Glacière. On the inside was Boulevard des Gobelins. It stretched between Place d’Italie and Rue de la Glacière. Beyond Rue de la Glacière it turned into Boulevard Saint-Jacques.
Look up. The central reservation of the Boulevard Auguste-Blanqui runs directly underneath the entire width of the overhead line 6. At the junction with Rue de la Glacière find a basketball court. A “boulodrome” for playing boules sits close to the Corvisart metro station.
Near Place d’Italie stands a memorial. It honors the “Children of the 13th arrondissement who died for France.”
At number 18 Boulevard Auguste-Blanqui is École Estienne. It is the Graduate School of Arts and Printing Industry. The school was inaugurated in 1896. It honored the Estienne family of engravers from the 16th century. The roofwork of the 1200 square meter workshop was constructed by Gustave Eiffel’s company.
The boulevard has many interesting locations. Number 25 was the former residence of Auguste Blanqui. A plaque commemorates his life there. Number 50 is the Église Sainte-Rosalie. Number 69 features a bust of Ernest Rousselle. He was a champion for children’s welfare.
In the past at number 80 was the Le Monde building. It was formerly Air France headquarters. Bouygues reworked it.
During the Siege of Paris in 1870 the Boulevard d’Italie was a launch site. Several hot air balloons departed from here. They left on September 25th and 30th of that year.
In the night of June 1st to 2nd 1918 German bombers struck. Two torpedoes exploded at numbers 51-53 Boulevard Auguste-Blanqui. They also hit in front of the Corvisart metro station.
The Boulevard Auguste-Blanqui is often used in cinema. Its elevated metro line viaduct adds to its appeal.
At number 3 was the first horse butcher shop in Paris. It opened in 1866. At number 8 the artist Invader installed a mosaic in November 2024. It is the largest in the world.
A little further along stands a music kiosk. At number 17 once stood the Fontaine marchande de Gentilly.
The story of Boulevard Auguste-Blanqui is one of constant change. Yet it is a story of enduring Parisian spirit. As we leave this historic boulevard remember its layers of history. Think about its moments of innovation and artistic expression.