Hidden within Saint-Cloud, Rue Paul Ollendorff whispers tales of a literary giant. Paul Ollendorff, a Parisian publisher, left an indelible mark on French literature. Born in Paris in 1851, Ollendorff’s story intertwines with the rise of popular literature in the late 19th century. Rue Paul Ollendorff stands as a quiet tribute to his legacy. Ollendorff’s publishing house, established after he opened a bookstore in 1875 on Rue de Richelieu, became a powerhouse of popular fiction. He had a knack for spotting talent, publishing works by authors like Georges Ohnet, whose “Le Maître de forges” became Ollendorff’s first major success. Soon, literary giants like Guy de Maupassant, Octave Mirbeau, and Alphonse Allais entrusted their works to him. By 1896, his catalog boasted over 2,000 titles, many adorned with striking Art Nouveau illustrations. Rue Paul Ollendorff echoes with the whispers of these stories, a testament to Ollendorff’s impact. In 1898, at the height of his success, he co-founded the “Société d’Éditions Littéraires et Artistiques,” expanding his reach. However, his later ventures into illustrated popular novels didn’t replicate his earlier triumphs. He eventually sold his shares and acquired the newspaper “Gil Blas” in 1903. Despite these shifts, the name “Paul Ollendorff, Éditeur” persisted. He even published the 1905 Goncourt Prize winner, Claude Farrère’s “Les Civilisés.” Rue Paul Ollendorff reminds us of his enduring influence, a quiet street named after a man who shaped the landscape of French literature. Even in the quietude of Rue Paul Ollendorff, one can sense the echoes of bustling printing presses, the scratch of pens on paper, and the rustle of turning pages, a silent homage to a publisher who gave voice to countless stories.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.