Why does this avenue bear the name of Général Sarrail? Rue Sarrail is found in Paris’s 16th arrondissement. It is more accurately called Avenue du Général-Sarrail. Let’s uncover its story.
The avenue begins at Place de la Porte-d’Auteuil. It ends at 8 Rue Lecomte-du-Nouÿ and Rue Claude-Farrère. The avenue stretches 560 meters. It is 26 meters wide.
This road was created in 1926. It was initially named Avenue du Parc-des-Princes. This happened on the site of bastions 64 and 65 of the Thiers wall. The avenue incorporated part of Rue du Parc. This street was once in Boulogne-Billancourt. A decree annexed it to Paris.
In 1931, the avenue received a new name. It became Avenue du Général-Sarrail. The street is named after General Maurice Sarrail. He commanded the French Army of the Orient from 1915 to 1917.
The avenue runs along several notable places. These include the Jean-Bouin stadium and the Jean-de-La-Fontaine high school. You can also find the Square du Tchad and the Jardin des Poètes. The Jardin des serres d’Auteuil is also nearby.
At the intersection of Avenue du Général-Sarrail and Avenue de la Porte-Molitor stands a monument. Tony Garnier and Alexandre Maspoli created it in 1934. It honors Frantz Reichel.
At number 5, you will see the Murat telephone exchange. Pierre Vivien designed it. It was built between 1974 and 1976. It is one of five telephone exchanges built in Paris that decade. This large circular concrete building showcases brutalist architecture. The visible floors housed administrative services. The technical rooms were underground. Modern communication technology has made it almost obsolete today.
In 2002, a change in traffic flow caused an uproar. Avenue du Général-Sarrail’s direction was reversed. It now ran between Rue Lecomte-du-Nouy and Rue Raffeilli. Rue Claude-Farrère became one-way. Residents complained about resulting traffic jams. The prefecture of police cited safety reasons for the change. They wanted to break up the long stretch of avenues. This discouraged speeding.
So, as you stroll along Avenue du Général-Sarrail, remember its history. It evolved from a military site to a tribute to a French general. It is now a modern Parisian avenue.