“Where does this street lead?” someone asked. This is the question many have asked about Rue Chaussée de l’Étang. It’s a street straddling two worlds. It exists partly in Saint-Mandé and partly in Paris’s 12th arrondissement.
Rue Chaussée de l’Étang has a rich history. Its origins date back to the 13th century. The street’s story is intertwined with the construction of the Château de Vincennes.
Let’s travel back to around 1275. Philip the Bold, or Philip III of France, decided to clear Saint-Mandé. He wanted to prepare the area for the castle’s infrastructure. The displaced inhabitants sought refuge near a lake. This lake was the Lac de Saint-Mandé. They settled on the edge of the castle walls. This settlement led to the birth of “Chiaussée de l’Estanc”. This is the old French name first mentioned in 1276. It eventually evolved into Rue Chaussée de l’Étang.
Today Rue Chaussée de l’Étang stretches from Avenue Daumesnil in Paris. It ends at Route de la Tourelle. This route ends in Paris’s Bois de Vincennes and Rue de la Tourelle in Saint-Mandé. The street offers views of the Saint-Mandé pond. It also faces the Bois de Vincennes.
The even-numbered side of Rue Chaussée de l’Étang falls under Saint-Mandé’s administration. The opposite side belongs to the 12th arrondissement. It is managed by the City of Paris.
Rue Chaussée de l’Étang is known for its up-market residences. Buildings here date from the 19th and early 20th centuries. These are considered the most luxurious homes in Saint-Mandé. They offer direct views of the forest or the lake.
Number 44 Rue Chaussée de l’Étang is home to a Guard House. It was built in the 16th century. The manor house at number 84 was built in 1912. The famous painter Henry Gaulet commissioned it.
The building at 90bis represents Art Deco residential style. Architect Aristide Daniel built it in 1930.
A former maternity clinic on the street bore its name. It closed in the 1970s. Today the Bégin Hospital is the closest maternity clinic. The City Public Library also calls this street home. The Carousels of the Bois de Vincennes are nearby.
To get here you can take line 1 of the Paris Métro. Get off at Saint-Mandé or Bérault station. Several RATP buses also serve the area. These include lines 46, 86 and 325.
Rue Chaussée de l’Étang is more than just a street. It is a boundary. It is a place where history and luxury meet. It offers a glimpse into Parisian life. It is a life lived on the edge of the city and the edge of the woods.