Whispers of history brush against you as you stand before Rue Alphonse-de-Neuville. This unassuming street in Paris’ 17th arrondissement holds secrets. It’s a hidden gem a testament to Parisian elegance.
Rue Alphonse-de-Neuville is more than just a residential street. It’s a living gallery of architectural styles. Elegant and eclectic buildings from the late 19th century line its path. Many are grand private mansions. Others are beautiful post-Haussmannian structures. The street itself is relatively short barely 150 meters long today. But its impact is considerable.
The street’s name honors Alphonse de Neuville. He was a renowned academic painter known for his battle scenes. He was also an illustrator for Jules Verne’s novels. His studio once stood on the corner of what is now Rue Alphonse-de-Neuville and Boulevard Pereire. This area was only developed starting in 1860. This was during the Second Empire after Paris annexed the former commune of Batignolles-Monceaux. This annexation led to the creation of the Plaine Monceau neighborhood.
Originally Rue Alphonse-de-Neuville was part of Rue Brémontier. This older street connected Avenue de Villiers to the fortifications of the Thiers wall. The Pereire brothers opened Rue Ampère Rue Brémontier Rue Jouffroy and Rue de Prony between 1862 and 1866. They did this while developing the Plaine Monceau area. This area was largely undeveloped at the time. It mostly consisted of market gardens warehouses and vacant lots.
In 1888 a section of Rue Brémontier was renamed Rue Alphonse-de-Neuville. The Paris City Council decided on the change. It was apparently desired by the Plaine-Monceau population and the many artists who lived there. A bronze statue of Alphonse de Neuville was erected in 1889 in nearby Place de Wagram. Sadly it was melted down during the Occupation.
Between 1875 and 1900 Plaine Monceau became a luxurious neighborhood. It attracted both the bourgeoisie and fashionable artists. Many mansions were built. Sadly many have since disappeared. Rue Alphonse-de-Neuville however retains a remarkable collection. These mansions show the eclectic style popular in the late 19th century. Their architectural fancies range from medieval evocations to Louis XIII styles and Renaissance citations. Some show a renewed interest in brick as a facade material. Numbers 3 15 and 25 are even protected by the city’s urban planning regulations.
The street and its surroundings are known to have attracted a generation of painters and sculptors. Several mansions feature glass-roofed top floors. These were designed as artist’s studios. Rue Alphonse-de-Neuville welcomed many famous residents. These include the painter Alphonse de Neuville himself. Marie Bashkirtseff the renowned painter and diarist lived there. Alfred Roll an official painter of the Third Republic resided there. Mademoiselle Réjane a famous actress also lived on this street. Alexandre Dumas fils author of La Dame aux Camélias lived there briefly. Edmond Rostand author of Cyrano de Bergerac also had a home on this street. Jeanne Hatto the celebrated opera singer lived there as well. The famous playwright and director Sacha Guitry and the actress Yvonne Printemps also lived in a mansion on this street.
Beyond artistic residents Rue Alphonse-de-Neuville housed important figures in industry and politics. The engineer Théophile Seyrig built several mansions here. He was associated with Gustave Eiffel before their falling out. The architect Stephen Sauvestre designed these houses and he also played a key role in the Eiffel Tower’s construction. Count Georges Vitali a prominent figure in railway development also resided here. Joseph Caillaux a significant politician of the Third Republic lived here with his wife Henriette. She famously shot and killed the editor of Le Figaro Gaston Calmette.
Even in literature Rue Alphonse-de-Neuville plays a role. Marcel Proust’s work was inspired by the street’s residents. In the detective novels of Léo Malet the street features prominently. The street’s buildings notably numbers 1 and 1bis 3 8 9 and 11 stand as reminders of this rich past. They are architectural gems. They show a glimpse of the artists and notable figures who once called this street home. Walk this street. Feel the weight of history. Listen to its whispers.