Ever wondered about a Parisian street named after a battle? Welcome to Rue Campagne-Première. This unassuming street in the 14th arrondissement holds a fascinating history. Its name is a direct tribute to General Alexandre Camille Taponnier. He owned land here and wanted to commemorate his first military campaign. That was the Battle of Wissembourg in 1793.
Before its official naming in 1797 Rue Campagne-Première was a humble dirt path. Locals called it Ruelle du Montparnasse. It was barely passable. The transformation began in 1797. The street started to get paved and buildings appeared.
This quiet street became a haven for artists. Number 3 housed the sculptor François Pompon. He lived and worked there from 1877 until his death in 1933. Amedeo Modigliani and Adrienne Jouclard also resided there. The restaurant Chez Rosalie once occupied the space. Its owner Rosalie Tobia was a model for famous painters. She posed for Odilon Redon William Bouguereau and Modigliani. The painter Boris Taslitzky also had a studio here. Renée Demeurisse maintained a studio from 1934 to 1961. Even the English painter Thomas William Marshall had his studio at number 3 in 1904. The original postal relay at number 3 was sadly demolished in 1970. Hanns Bolz was also established here from 1909 to 1910.
Number 5 has its own rich history. Edmond-Marie Poullain had a studio there in 1905. The American artist Eugene McCown worked there from 1923. He later ceded his lease to Louis Aragon. Aragon lived there with Elsa Triolet from 1929 to 1935.
Numbers 9 and 13 were part of an artists’ residence. These buildings were constructed on a long plot. Originally the southern boundary was the wall of the Convent of the Visitation. Since the 1930s Rue Boissonade cuts through the convent’s garden. This artists’ residence is private. It has a security code to ensure the peace and quiet of its residents.
A remarkable building stands at numbers 31 and 31bis. Constructed in 1911 it is an architectural masterpiece. Architect André Arfvidson designed it. It features stunning ceramic work by Alexandre Bigot. The building exemplified a new type of artist’s studio apartment. It offered space and comfort for affluent clients. The building’s facade received a prize in 1912 for its design.
Rue Campagne-Première is more than a street. It’s a living testament to artistic legacy. A walk down its path is a journey through time. You’ll meet the ghosts of legendary artists and discover hidden architectural gems. This street whispers tales of creativity and bohemian life. It continues to resonate with the spirit of Montparnasse.