Didn’t Lille bravely face Austrian forces? That act of defiance gave Rue de Lille its proud name. Originally, it was Rue de Bourbon. That honored Henri de Bourbon. He was abbot of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This street began around 1640. It was part of the Pré-aux-Clercs grassland.
Let’s delve into the Rue de Lille. It stretches 1,060 meters. It links Rue des Saints-Pères to Rue Aristide-Briand. The street’s name changed during French Revolution. In 1792, it became Rue de Lille. This celebrated Lille’s defense against the Austrian army. The six-day bombardment devastated half the city.
After the restoration in 1814, Rue de Lille briefly reverted to Rue de Bourbon. But in 1830, it was renamed Rue de Lille again. Even under Louis Napoleon’s Second Empire, the name stuck. He often purged names linked to the French Revolution.
Now, let’s wander down Rue de Lille. Notice the buildings and their stories. At number 23, Karl Marx lived here. He stayed from November 1846 to March 1847. The police closely watched Friedrich Engels at number 23. He wrote about the republican movement for German papers.
At number 19, Max Ernst resided here from 1962 until his death in 1976. A plaque acknowledges his stay. Jacques Lacan also had his practice here. His address was number 5. Philippe Sollers wrote about Lacan’s couch. He said it could put the novel industry in crisis.
During the Commune, a barricade stood at number 50. Émile Zola immortalized it in his novel “La Débâcle.” On March 11, 1918, a German air raid struck number 100.
The Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales occupied number 2. It was here from 1873 to 2011. People commonly referred to it as “Langues’O”. The school moved its headquarters in October 2011. Research centers and teams gathered on Rue de Lille in October 2012.
Number 4 housed the library of École des langues orientales. It integrated into the BULAC. It transferred to the Pôle des langues et civilisations in 2010. African-American writer Richard Wright lived at number 9. Actress Diane Kruger resides at number 11.
Edward Hopper painted “Staircase at 48, rue de Lille”. The Protestant Baptist Church’s temple is located on the first floor of number 48.
The Palais d’Orsay was located at number 62. It was burnt down during the Paris Commune. Later, the Gare d’Orsay was built on the site.
Rue de Lille is more than a street. It is a journey through time. Its name reflects bravery. Its buildings whisper stories of revolution and restoration. Literary giants and artists have walked here. Each address holds secrets. This street is a testament to Paris’s vibrant history. Take a moment. Feel the pulse of the city. Rue de Lille awaits.