“Paul Valéry? Never heard of him.” Some might say that before arriving at Rue Paul Valéry. This street in Paris is named after the famous French writer, poet, and philosopher Paul Valéry.
Rue Paul Valéry is located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. It stretches for 470 meters. It begins at 50 Avenue Kléber and ends at 27 bis Avenue Foch.
This street wasn’t always named after Paul Valéry. It was created in 1855 and initially called Rue Pauquet. This was in honor of Jean Alexandre Pauquet de Villejust. He was a lawyer. He was also a member of the real estate company of the Plaine de Passy.
For a short time, the street was named Rue Pauquet-de-Villejust. Around 1860, it became Rue de Villejust. In 1868, part of the street was renamed Rue Piccini. Finally, the street received its current name, Rue Paul Valéry, in honor of the writer. Paul Valéry lived at number 40 from 1900 until his death in 1945.
Number 4 on Rue Paul Valéry once housed L’Étoile-Kléber. It was a famous rendezvous house open from 1941 to 1978. The Spanish embassy’s economic and commercial office is located at number 6. The Passy reservoirs are also nearby.
Author Roland Brévannes lived at number 16 before his death in 1968. The school group at numbers 18-20 has a primary school at number 18. There is a nursery school at number 20. Claudine Bérechel designed the decoration.
At number 33, you can see a private mansion built in 1878. Frédéric Spitzer, an Austrian art collector, commissioned it. He wanted to display his collection and meet potential buyers. Some people called Spitzer’s establishment the “Spitzer Museum”. His collection was sold off in 1893.
In the 1900s, the Turkish embassy in France was located on Rue Paul Valéry. The Dapper Museum is at number 35 bis. The embassy of Congo in France is at number 37 bis.
Eugène Manet and his wife Berthe Morisot moved into the building at number 40 in 1883. Their daughter Julie Manet lived there with her cousins after their death. Paul Valéry also lived there on the fourth floor. He stayed from 1900 until he died in 1945.
Colette lived on the ground floor of number 44 from 1906 to 1908. A plaque at number 3 honors Léon Charbonnel. He died during the Liberation of Paris in 1944.
Rue Paul Valéry offers a glimpse into Parisian history and culture. It has transformed over the years. Yet, it retains its charm and significance. As you stroll along Rue Paul Valéry, remember the people who lived and worked here. They shaped this street’s unique identity.