“To you, Cognacq-Jay” once echoed through French television. Rue Cognacq-Jay whispers stories of innovation and Parisian life. This street in the 7th arrondissement is named for Ernest Cognacq and Marie-Louise Jay. They founded the renowned La Samaritaine department store.
Rue Cognacq-Jay stretches 224 meters. It runs along the Seine’s left bank near the Pont de l’Alma. The street sits on the central part of the former Île des Cygnes. This island was attached to the mainland in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The street’s creation dates back to 1928. It was part of a development owned by Ernest Cognacq. This area once housed the Magic City amusement park. Before that, it was the site of central military hospital warehouses.
At number 2, the filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard was born. His parents lived in an apartment there. Number 5 boasts an edifice by architects Doubinsky and Jean Fidler. The politician Maurice Viollette resided at this address. Architect Jean Fidler also designed the building at number 7.
Numbers 13-15 hold a unique place in television history. The Germans installed television studios here in 1943. After the war, French television was reborn here. The studios operated until TF1 moved to Boulogne-Billancourt. “À vous Cognacq-Jay” became a famous phrase. Journalists used it to hand off the broadcast. TDF, a major French broadcaster, still owns the building.
Since 2022, number 19 has housed the European Commission’s representation in France. Michel Roux-Spitz designed the building at number 22 in 1929. The offices of the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille are at number 23. The service entrance to an Art Deco building is at number 26. Léon Azéma designed this building in 1930.
But the legacy of Ernest Cognacq and Marie-Louise Jay extends beyond this street. Their passion for art led to the Musée Cognacq-Jay. This museum offers a glimpse into 18th-century French art.
The Musée Cognacq-Jay began with Ernest and Marie-Louise’s private collection. They amassed an impressive array of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Upon their deaths, they gave their collection to Paris.
Initially, the Musée Cognacq-Jay was located on Boulevard des Capucines. The Cognacqs wanted a setting that felt like an inhabited home. In 1990, the museum moved to the Hôtel Donon in the Marais.
The museum features works by renowned artists. Jean-Antoine Watteau, François Boucher, and Jean-Honoré Fragonard are among them. Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin and Hubert Robert are also featured. Sculptures by Jean-Antoine Houdon and Étienne-Maurice Falconet are highlights. The collection includes furniture, porcelain, clocks, and snuff boxes. These items showcase the craftsmanship of the 18th century.
Rembrandt’s “Balaam and the Donkey” is a notable piece. It’s one of his earliest known compositions. Portraits by Maurice Quentin de La Tour capture the personalities of his subjects. The museum’s Meissen porcelain collection is also remarkable. Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture offer an overview of French cabinetmaking.
The Hôtel Donon itself is part of the experience. It’s a 16th-century French Renaissance building. The central courtyard and grand staircase are key features. Period rooms recreate the ambiance of an 18th-century Parisian home.
So, as you walk along Rue Cognacq-Jay, remember the couple who shaped it. Their vision lives on in the art they collected. Their legacy continues to enrich Parisian culture.