Is there a street that whispers tales of royalty and transformation? Here on Rue du Castel-Marly, history echoes. This street in Nanterre bears a name connected to Marly. Marly was once the second home of French kings.
Rue du Castel-Marly’s story begins long ago. The street was within the old ramparts of Nanterre. Its name dates back to at least 1895. It was sometimes called Rue Chastel-Marly. The name “Marly” comes from the old French word “marle”. That means marl.
Louis XIV chose nearby Marly-le-Roi. He wanted it as a secondary residence near Versailles. He hosted “Les Marlys”. These were festive events. The king sought privacy in Marly. It had woods. Louis XIV loved hunting. Marly offered private entertainment. There were balls, parties, card games and concerts.
In 1871 a large 18th-century house on this street became a boarding school for girls. The municipality bought it in 1921. It became a nursery school. In 1934 it became the municipal music school. Sadly the building was demolished in 1970. It was deemed too old.
The municipality built public baths here in 1921. Archaeological digs in 1993 unearthed Merovingian and Carolingian remains. Rue du Castel-Marly has witnessed centuries.
Marly-le-Roi charmed artists in the 19th century too. Sisley and Alexandre Dumas fils sought calm and inspiration here. They were near the banks of the Seine. Marly felt like Provence in the west of Paris. Its narrow streets had a village feel.
The Château de Marly was Louis XIV’s retreat. He wanted to escape Versailles’ formal life. Small rooms meant less company. Courtiers competed for invitations to Marly. Twelve matching pavilions housed them. They flanked central water features. Cascades connected these.
After the French Revolution, the Château de Marly was sold. The new owner demolished it in 1806. He had planned to use it as a factory. The hydraulic machine was also demolished. Napoleon bought the estate back in 1807.
Today only the foundation of the pavillon du Roi remains. The park now belongs to the state. The Cour Marly in the Louvre displays art from Marly.
The Marly machine was essential. It supplied water to Versailles’ fountains. This hydraulic marvel stood in Bougival. It used the Seine’s current to power fourteen paddle wheels. It pumped water to reservoirs at Louveciennes. From there, water flowed to Marly and Versailles.
Rue du Castel-Marly also houses notable buildings. These include the Marché du Centre. Also, the Synagogue du Centre Communautaire juif de Nanterre. The Grand Rabbi of France inaugurated it in 1995.
So, as you stand on Rue du Castel-Marly remember its rich past. It connects Nanterre to royal history. It whispers tales of kings artists and transformation.