A portrait, a street, a name. Rue Bory d’Arnex in Saint-Cloud. The name itself evokes a sense of mystery, a story waiting to be uncovered. Let’s delve into the life of the woman who inspired this street’s name. Our story begins with a painting, an 1887 artwork by Léon Comerre titled “Mme Bory d’Arnex, aux genoux, grand manteau.” This portrait captures a glimpse into the life of a woman who, at the time of the painting, was still known as Mme Jacques Vincent. Her real name was Angèle Berthe Vènem, a writer who used Jacques Vincent as her pen name. The Musée d’Orsay holds this piece of art, a testament to a woman who later became Mme Arthur Bory d’Arnex after her marriage in 1889. The portrait, a photograph of which now resides in the Musée d’Orsay, measures a modest 15.9 cm by 9.7 cm. It was initially part of a private collection, belonging to the painter’s granddaughter, Mlle Denyse Lion-Comerre. In 2003, it was bequeathed to the French state and found its home in the museum. The Rue Bory d’Arnex, then, is more than just a street. It’s a tribute to a woman connected to the world of art and literature, her image preserved in a portrait and her name etched onto the street signs of Saint-Cloud. A quiet reminder of a life lived, a story told through paint and now, through words on a walking tour.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.