“Prince of Joinville” rings through time here on Rue de Joinville. This street in Paris carries a name with royal connections. Let’s delve into the history and character of this Parisian route.
Rue de Joinville is located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. It begins at 3, quai de l’Oise. It ends at 102, avenue de Flandre. The street stretches for 295 meters. It is 12 meters wide.
The street’s name honors François d’Orléans. He was the third son of King Louis-Philippe I. François was the Prince of Joinville from 1818 to 1900.
The street’s history dates back to the former commune of La Villette. It was aligned in 1843. A decree officially classified it within the Parisian road system.
But let’s jump to another Joinville. Not far from here in the Parisian suburb of Joinville, Jacques Tati found inspiration. He was looking for the old world feel for his film “Mon Oncle”. The rustic streets contrast with the new suburbs in the film. Tati believed geometric lines do not create likeable people. He found genuine humanity in the real Joinville.
Tati’s film subtly criticized some modern designs. He found humor in people adapting to calculated spaces. Tati felt these buildings sought to tidy up humanity. They streamlined lives and denied wanderings.
Though much of “Mon Oncle” was filmed at La Victorine studios in Nice, Joinville played a key role. The opening scene shows the title scrawled on an old brick wall in Joinville. We see a pack of dogs running through older roads to straight concrete streets.
Today, you can still find remnants of Tati’s inspiration. An old brick wall survives at the intersection of Rue de Paris and Rue de la Procession. It is easy to imagine Monsieur Hulot zooming around the corner on his VéloSoleX.
The area cannot shake Tati’s vision. A road further along is named Allée Jacques Tati. A statue commemorates his film further up the street.
So, while Rue de Joinville connects to royalty, the nearby area of Joinville connects to cinematic history. Both offer glimpses into different facets of Parisian life and culture. The next time you stroll along Rue de Joinville, remember its namesake. Think also of the cinematic charm nearby.