“Commander of the Artillery,” echoed through the chambers of history. Today, we stand on Rue Élie le Gallais. It’s a street with a name etched in military honor.
Rue Élie le Gallais commemorates General Alexandre Honoré Élie Le Gallais. He was a distinguished French officer. His life spanned from 1860 to 1942. Le Gallais rose through the ranks. He became a General of Brigade in 1915. He then achieved the rank of General of Division in 1918.
His commands were diverse and critical. Le Gallais commanded the Artillery of the 16th Army Corps. He also commanded the 112th Reserve Infantry Brigade. His leadership extended to the 16th Infantry Division. In 1922, he was placed in the reserve section.
Le Gallais was a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour. This is one of France’s highest distinctions. A photograph captures him in his service uniform. The image shows the 1915 model. He stands alongside General Gouraud and General Hely d’Oissel. The event was the presentation of the Cross of the State of Washington. General Little, an American, presented the award. Le Gallais is the third general from the left in the photo.
His decorations reflected his service. He received the Croix de Guerre 1914-1918. This included three palms and one star. Other honors included the Inter-Allied Victory Medal and the Tonkin Commemorative Medal. He also held the Great War Commemorative Medal and the Belgian Croix de Guerre.
Though Rue Élie le Gallais might seem like a quiet street today, remember the echoes of military command. Think of the General. Visualize him receiving honors for his service.
Speaking of honoring tradition, a short distance from here stands Debauve & Gallais. It is a historic chocolate shop. It offers a different kind of delight. Sulpice Debauve, a trained pharmacist, founded it. He believed in the “utile dulci”. It means “the useful with the pleasurable.”
Debauve revolutionized French chocolate. He created “Pistoles” for Queen Marie Antoinette. These were chocolates mixed with almond milk. They were originally intended to cure her headaches. The queen named them after gold coins because of their shape.
Debauve became the royal pharmacist under King Louis XVI. His nephew, Antoine Gallais, joined the business. Later, Napoleon Bonaparte and Marcel Proust became clients. The shop still sells Pistoles. They no longer contain headache powders.
The shop’s interior, designed by Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine, is like a museum. It features columns and a half-moon display case. Chocolates like King Charles X’s Fleur de Lys and Napoleon’s Croquamandes are still sold here. The chocolates come in boxes with royal insignia. These are wrapped with a royal blue ribbon.
Rue Élie le Gallais is not just a street. It is a connection to French military history and tradition. As you stroll, remember General Le Gallais’ dedication. Perhaps later, indulge in a treat at Debauve & Gallais. It is a sweet reminder of French history.