“A Parisian street named after Montesquieu” you might say. But Rue Montesquieu in Paris is more than just a name. It whispers tales of history. It’s a street born from the ashes of a former chapter of Saint-Honoré. This chapter was dissolved in 1790 becoming national property. The area was transformed. A new street was proposed. It would connect Rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs to the Cour des Fontaines.
The project faced a slight alteration in direction. The municipal council approved the revised plan. Properties belonging to the Saint-Honoré chapter were sold. A clause in the sale mandated the construction of a new street. The street would be at least thirty feet wide. Buildings would conform to height regulations. Even a house belonging to a citizen named Amelin was part of the deal.
The first buildings went up quickly. Rue Montesquieu officially opened in 1802. Today Rue Montesquieu holds many stories. One side houses the impressive “Bons-Enfants” building. This is an annex to the Ministry of Culture. Part of the building is quite modern. It was constructed between 2000 and 2007. The other part is older. It dates back to 1919.
The other side of Rue Montesquieu also boasts remarkable buildings. Number 6 shows a surviving section of the Bains Montesquieu. These were public baths built around 1810. They were demolished in 1830. The surviving facade is integrated into a later structure.
Next door was the Bazar Montesquieu. This huge hall was not just a shopping center. It hosted concerts balls and meetings. It was known for the fashionable Montesquieu Ball. This event was very popular in the mid-nineteenth century. By 1854 it had become a restaurant.
Later it became home to the “Bouillon Montesquieu”. This was the flagship restaurant of a chain. The chain was known as “Bouillons Duval”. It operated many popular and affordable restaurants. The company operated until after World War I. The building now houses an emergency shelter run by the Emmaüs association.
So when you walk down Rue Montesquieu remember more than just the name. Remember the history. Remember the people. Remember the changes. Rue Montesquieu a small street with a big story.