Shuttle transport from Charles de Gaulle airport to avenue du Général Lemonnier in Paris

The Rich Historical Legacy and Fascinating Features of Avenue du General Lemonnier in Paris

Avenue du General Lemonnier, a notable thoroughfare, graces the first district of the city of Paris. Situated in the historically significant district of Saint Germain l’Auxerrois, the avenue was established around 1877, marking a noteworthy expansion in the urban layout of the city.

The avenue was initially named Rue des Tuileries, only to be later rechristened as Avenue Paul Deroulede. However, to avoid confusion with another Avenue Paul Deroulede situated in the 15th arrondissement, its name was changed again. On 25th March 1957, it was finally designated as Avenue du General Lemonnier, the name it carries till today.

Stretching for 317 meters in length and covering 20 meters in width, Avenue du General Lemonnier originates from the dock of Tuileries and culminates at Rue de Rivoli. The formal inauguration of the avenue took place through a collaborative treaty between the State and the City of Paris on 15th February 1877.

The avenue pays tribute to Émile Lemonnier, a valiant brigadier who fell victim to assassination in the region of Tonkin. It houses two distinguished historical edifices, the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Palace, making it a pivotal point of cultural interest.

An intriguing aspect of Avenue du General Lemonnier is its implementation of left-hand driving (LHD), a stark contrast to the standard right-hand traffic system in France. The majority of the route runs underground, tracing the lower sections of the renowned Jardin des Tuileries.

The avenue extends to Rue des Pyramides. If the Tuileries Palace were still in its original location, the facade extending from the Pavillon de Flore to the Pavillon de Marsan would open up onto Avenue du General Lemonnier, further enhancing its architectural prominence.