“Théodore Judlin? Who was he?” I hear you ask. Square Théodore Judlin bears the name of a somewhat unsung hero of Parisian architecture. Let’s step into the story of this place and the man behind its name.
Square Théodore Judlin is nestled in the 15th arrondissement. It begins at 28 Rue du Laos and ends as a cul-de-sac. This small square pays homage to Eugène Théodore Judlin. He was an architect born in Soultz in 1863.
Théodore Judlin died in 1946 in Ablon-sur-Seine. He left his mark on Paris. He is known for designing numerous Haussmann-style buildings in the 15th arrondissement.
Judlin’s career was marked by collaboration and innovation. He was a student of Guadet and Lecomte at the École des Beaux-Arts. Judlin honed his skills working with the Gravereaux family.
One notable collaboration was with Paul Gravereaux. Together, they played a crucial role in locating the coffin of John Paul Jones. This search took place in the old cemetery of foreign Protestants.
Judlin’s architectural portfolio is impressive. He worked on villas and boutiques in Ablon-sur-Seine. Judlin also helped design the Panhard Levassor factory. This factory stood on Avenue d’Ivry and Avenue de Choisy.
His work extends to residential buildings. You can find his buildings on Rue d’Ouessant, Rue du Laos and Rue de Pondichéry. There’s also an apartment building on Boulevard de la Gare that became Boulevard Vincent Auriol.
Notably, Judlin contributed to religious architecture. He co-designed the Église Sainte-Rita on Rue François Bonvin in 1900. Sadly, this church faced the threat of destruction at one point.
Interestingly, some works are attributed to Judlin without definitive proof. This includes the Église Saint-Pierre Saint-Charles. It is also known as the Faisanderie in Villeneuve-le-Roi. He may have also been involved in the construction of the Belfort city hall.
Square Théodore Judlin may be a quiet corner of Paris. However, it represents a lifetime of architectural dedication. It reminds us of the man who shaped parts of our city. Take a moment to appreciate the legacy of Théodore Judlin.