Paris1972-Versailles2003

This is one of my stumping grounds while working in Paris and living in Versailles several years back. I did had to come for business reasons first, and know the city well, but then came for other and with family as the area is quite chic nice. I have mentioned a lot of the history on the town but need to tell you more about its monuments with new found pictures. The city of Neuilly sur Seine is in dept 92 of Hauts de Seine, region of Île de France, and in my belle France. Therefore, here is curiosities of Neuilly sur Seine, part II !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I  

The Place Winston-Churchill is a crossroads located in Neuilly-sur-Seine. This square honors the British statesman Winston Churchill. This crossroads is the meeting point of the following roads: Boulevard d’Inkermann, Avenue du Roule, Avenue Achille-Peretti, Boulevard Jean-Mermoz, Rue Louis-Philippe, and Rue d’Orléans. During the 1940s and 1950s, the square took on a new appearance. The square, already surrounded by trees, became a green space much appreciated by the people of Neuilly. During the Municipal Council of December 3, 1944, the new council decided to rename several roads in order to pay tribute to the great men who distinguished themselves during WWII. The Inkermann roundabout then took the name Place Winston Churchill, while the British politician was still alive. In 1949, the city accepted the proposal of the Association of Former Prisoners, Deportees, Internees, Resistance Fighters and Politicians of the Police of France and Overseas to erect a national monument in memory of the police officers who died for the defense and liberation of the Fatherland. The inauguration took place on May 10, 1951 in the presence of the President of the Republic Vincent Auriol and the mayor at the time Achille Peretti. Winston Churchill was also invited but could not be present. A national commemoration now takes place every year around May 8th in front of the monument. A statue once stood on the square, inaugurated in 1897. It was melted down in 1942 under the Vichy regime, as part of the mobilization of non-ferrous metals. The square’s first name rond-point d’Inkermann commemorated the Battle of Inkerman during the Crimean War of 1854. The square took its current name during the City Council meeting of December 3, 1944. It was redesigned between 1949 and 1951 to take on its current appearance, with a war memorial in its center. Notable buildings here are the beforementioned, Monument to the dead of the National Police of the 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 world wars, work of the architect Louis Jean Lefort, the sculptor Raymond Servian and the entrepreneur Zanini, and the jardin Jeanne-d’Arc garden, in front of the Saint-Pierre Church (see post).

The Avenue Charles-de-Gaulle crosses the city of Neuilly-sur-Seine and corresponds to a section of N13 road. It extends the historic Parisian axis which stretches from the former Tuileries Palace to Porte Maillot and ends at the Pont de Neuilly. Constituting one of the segments of the major axis which connects Paris and La Défense, it is partially underground, at the exit of Neuilly-sur-Seine, over a length of 440 meters, since the completion of the Madrid cover in 1992. This road was named in honor of Charles de Gaulle, general, leader of Free France and President of the French Republic from 1959 to 1969. Its historical name until 1971, and still in common use locally was Avenue de Neuilly, a rare case of a road bearing the name of the city in which it is located. The Avenue Charles de Gaulle is a popular shopping destination, with many boutiques selling fashion, jewelry, interior design and much more. You will also find supermarkets for your daily shopping. The restaurants and cafes lining the avenue offer a variety of choices, ranging from traditional French cuisine to international flavors. For outdoor recreation, the Parc de la Folie Saint James is located not far from the avenue. It’s a pleasant place for a stroll, a picnic, or simply to enjoy nature. The neighborhood also offers cultural opportunities, including nearby cinemas, theaters, and art galleries. The area is well served by public transportation. Metro line 1, with Les Sablons and Pont de Neuilly stations, is accessible from the avenue, providing a direct link to Paris. Also, numerous bus stops, including lines 43, 73, 82, 93, 157, 174, and 176, provide easy access. Notable buildings here, me think are at No. 24: UGC Cinemas headquarters; No. 30: Gaumont Cinemas headquarters; No. 56: RTL, RTL2, and Fun Radio headquarters; and No. 89: M6 headquarters. No. 115-123: headquarters of Warner Bros. Discovery France. No. 153 bis: headquarters of the Fondation du patrimoine. No. 158: Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church. No. 225: headquarters of the SACEM artists foundation.

The Cinéma Le Village, 4, rue de Chézy, completely renovated, this cinema features an Art Deco façade. It has two air-conditioned rooms equipped with 3D technology. In addition to two ticket booths, a self-service kiosk allows you to purchase tickets and pick up reserved seats online. A kiosk allows you to purchase single tickets and top up your season ticket. Confectionery, ice cream, and beverages are available at the checkout, The cinema is accessible to people with reduced mobility and the hearing impaired. Ground-level access to the lower theater and via the two elevators to the upper theater, The program is prepared with the assistance of the UGC group, headquartered in Neuilly. 

The bit of history tell us that from the end of the 19C, the creation of a performance venue was considered in Neuilly. In 1923, the city approved the principle of building a new community hall on the land located at 4 rue de Chézy. This space, located in the heart of the city, close to the City/town hall, seemed ideal for this new purpose. On October 31, 1924, the Municipal Council, adopted the project. The multi-level Art Deco building included a large 700-seat community hall, dressing rooms, and dressing rooms on the ground floor; the balcony of the 250-seat main hall on the first floor; and finally, on the second floor, five meeting rooms of various sizes. Constructed of stone and concrete, and decorated on the facade with pediments, pilasters, and bas-reliefs, the building was completed in 1927. A charity ball was held on June 18 to mark the opening of the community hall. The theater opened on February 17, 1928, with a performance of Faust. Between 1931 and 1936, the interior was transformed and redesigned to accommodate film production. The establishment then became a theater-cinema called “Le Chézy.” In the mid-1970s, the auditorium, renamed Le Village, was modernized and added a tiered seating area. Between 1992 and 1994, the cinema-theater was completely renovated. Major renovations were carried out. The building was eventually completely razed, with only the facade remaining. The cinema-theater Le Village opened in September 1994, featuring “La fille de d’Artagnan.” One of the two auditoriums was named after the actress Michèle Morgan, who was born and died in Neuilly. The second room takes its name from the actor Darry Cowl, who died in Neuilly in 2006.

Leaving from the place Winston Churchill take on Bd Jean Mermoz past the Church Saint Pierre (see post) continue past the Square Jean Mermoz which is the back of the Hôtel de Ville or City hall ,and on your left hand side you see the private entrance to the Villa de l’Acacia, (see pic) the buildings were done in 1899, It is full of residential apartments, even if can’t get in it is a lovely area to walk, At the corner with rue de Chezy you have a wonderful spot for lunch the Bistrot du Parc 15 Bd Jean Mermoz, I came by this area mostly on business meetings and always memorable, An interesting building is at 9 Bd Jean Mermoz where the Philosophical and Humanist Research Circle Le Delta is located does research and study of traditional philosophies and major humanist and spiritualist trends.

The Hôtel de Ville of Neuilly sur Seine is located at 96 Av. Achille Peretti, however, the back side is on the Square Jean Mermoz with a nice garden that can be entered by Bd Jean Mermoz, a lovely area for walks I said, This is a beautiful building, constructed between 1882 and 1886, showcasing the city’s wealth at the end of the 19C. On the left wall are two commemorative plaques. One pays tribute to four peacekeepers killed on August 19, 1944, during the FFI uprising against the Nazis occupiers. The second honors Captain Henri Serizier of the 2nd Armored Division, who distinguished himself during the liberation of Neuilly on August 24, 1944. The city had two other City/town halls before the construction of the current one at the end of the 19C. On February 7, 1790, the first mayor, Nicolas Delaizement, was elected in a room adjoining the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church. It was here that the municipal council met until the First Empire (Napoléon Ier) . From 1809, the City/town hall occupied a house on Rue de Madrid (now Rue du Château), before moving again in 1836 to the Sablonville neighborhood, on the site of the current Louis de Broglie Cultural Center on Place Parmentier. Following the annexation of the Ternes village by Paris in 1859 and the town’s demographic growth, the municipal council sought the construction of a new, larger, and more centrally located City/town hall, and in 1879 voted to acquire land on Avenue du Roule belonging to Madame Balsan. An architectural competition was launched that same year. Work began in 1882 and was completed three years later, in 1885. The City/town hall was officially inaugurated on January 16, 1886 The neo-Renaissance building, typical of the Third Republic, was formerly topped by a cast iron bell tower, which was removed in 1978 for stability reasons. The interior decoration was carried out by Neuilly artists from the completion of construction until the 1930s.

The City of Neuilly sur Seine on its heritage: https://www.neuillysurseine.fr/tunnel/decouvrir-neuilly

The Hauts de Seine dept 92 tourist office on Neuilly sur Seine :https://destination.hauts-de-seine.fr/promenade-urbaine-neuilly-sur-seine.html

There you go folks,an oasis of tranquility and class just bordering Paris, the off the beaten path, Neuilly sur Seine. Worth the detour me think and wonderful architecture and history as well. Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of Neuilly sur Seine, part II !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!