Magenta. Does the name ring a bell? The Rue des Cléveaux holds a tale linked to this battle. This street’s story is about more than just cobblestones and buildings. It is a tribute to a soldier’s bravery.
Let’s step back to 1864. This street was renamed to honor Jean Joseph Gustave Cler. He was a general who died in the Battle of Magenta five years prior. Before that, it was known as Rue Neuve-de-l’Eglise. Later it became Rue de l’Eglise.
General Cler wasn’t just any soldier. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Alma in Crimea. This soldier from Jura earned his place in history. The Rue des Cléveaux serves as a reminder of his sacrifice.
Today the Rue des Cléveaux might seem like a simple street. However it carries the weight of history within its name. It is a connection to a time of battles. It connects to bravery.
The street is in the 18th arrondissement. It was once much longer. It stretched as far as Rue Championnet.
The name Cléveaux comes from an old French word. The word is “claye”. It means a grill. This grill could close access.
You can find the Square Léon Serpollet nearby. Léon Serpollet built his first steam-powered tricycle at Number 27.
During the Second World War something important happened here. At Number 17 a Communist resistance printworks operated secretly. The first issue of France d’abord was printed there. This was the news sheet of the Communist-founded resistance movement FTP. FTP stands for Franc-tireurs et partisans. They were sharp-shooters and patriots.
So next time you stroll along the Rue des Cléveaux remember its layers of history. Remember a general’s courage. Think of resistance fighters working in secret. See it not just as a street but as a place where stories echo through time.