An old restaurant wagon sits perched above the railway tracks. That’s Rue Boursault for you a street of unexpected juxtapositions.
Rue Boursault in the 17th arrondissement of Paris is more than just a street. It’s a living testament to history. It’s named after Jean-Francois Boursault a fascinating figure. He was an actor author theatre director businessman and revolutionary. More importantly for our story he owned the land where this street now stands.
Originally different parts of Rue Boursault had different names. There was a rue Boursault a rue Bénard and a rue Jeanne d’Asnières. Only later were they unified into the Rue Boursault we know today. This unification happened after a significant event. A train accident in the Batignolles tunnel in 1921 led to the tunnel’s destruction. Buildings between numbers 1 and 7 on Rue Boursault were demolished to create a trench for the new railway line.
The impact of this is still visible today. A unique feature of Rue Boursault is a 1925 Orient-Express dining car. It’s located at number 7. It’s now an annex of Le Wagon Bleu restaurant a popular spot. It stands as a silent witness to the street’s transformation.
Another intriguing spot is number 24. This is where Léon Dierx a notable figure breathed his last. At number 29 lies the former Marché des Batignolles. This is one of Paris’s oldest covered markets. It’s a beautiful structure of stone and timber dating back to 1839. Now an IUFM it offers a different kind of market.
The Art Nouveau buildings at numbers 62-64 and 68 are architectural gems. They showcase the skill of architect René Simonet. He masterfully used stone iron wood brick and Alexandre Bigot’s flamed sandstone. These buildings were classified as historical monuments in 2000. Their beauty is a lasting legacy.
Even in literature Rue Boursault has its place. In Guy de Maupassant’s Bel-Ami Georges Duroy lives on Rue Boursault. His modest apartment overlooks the railways. Maupassant vividly describes the sounds smells and sights. It paints a picture of a bustling yet gritty Parisian life.
Rue Boursault isn’t just a street. It’s a microcosm of Parisian history a blend of old and new. It whispers stories of accidents revolutions and artistic brilliance. It’s a street to be explored savoured and remembered.