“Pardon monsieur la rue Gustave-Flaubert, s’il vous plait?” That’s a snippet of dialogue from Bertrand Blier’s film, Calmos. Today, we find ourselves on that very street: Rue Gustave Flaubert. This Parisian street in the 17th arrondissement bears the name of the celebrated French writer Gustave Flaubert.
Rue Gustave Flaubert stretches for 139 meters. It offers a glimpse into Parisian history and culture. The street runs east-west. It begins at 105, rue de Courcelles and 91, avenue de Wagram. The street ends at 14-20, rue Rennequin. Rue Théodore-de-Banville intersects Rue Gustave Flaubert between numbers 3-5 and 4-6.
The street’s namesake, Gustave Flaubert, lived from 1821 to 1880. He was a novelist known for his realism. His notable works include Madame Bovary. Flaubert was a perfectionist in his writing. He always searched for le mot juste. That means “the right word.”
Rue Gustave Flaubert was created in 1892. It was built on the site of a former Parisian gas company factory. This factory stretched from rue de Courcelles to the height of numbers 5 and 6. The street’s name was officially designated in 1893. This was part of the urbanization of the Plaine Monceaux area. Later, the street was extended by decree. It now reaches from numbers 5 and 6 to rue Rennequin.
At number 10 Rue Gustave Flaubert stands a remarkable building. Its ground floor features a classified Modern style facade. It was once a creamery and grocery store. Actress Valentine Merelli once resided here. So keep an eye out for the architectural details of this facade.
The next time you watch Calmos, remember this street. Think of the exchange between the passerby and Jean-Pierre Marielle. Rue Gustave Flaubert is more than just a street. It is a piece of Parisian history. It is a tribute to a literary giant.