Taxi transfer from CDG airport to the Quai d’Anjou in Paris

History and Visit of the Quai d’Anjou in Paris

The Quai d’Anjou, nestled within the Notre Dame area in the 4th district of Paris, traces the banks of the Seine. It stretches from No. 2 rue Saint-Louis en l’Ile and Pont de Sully to No. 20 Rue des Deux-Ponts and the Pont Marie, spanning 313 meters in length and 7 meters in width. Its construction, carried out between 1614 and 1647, primarily introduced residential buildings to the area. Nonetheless, it also hosts a blend of art and culture, notably the Theatre of the Ile Saint-Louis-Paul Rey gallery, an intimate Italian-style theatre with sixty seats, located at No. 39.

The wharf’s initial construction was overseen by Christophe Marie, the general contractor of bridges in France. The Île Saint-Louis, known then as the Island of the Cows, underwent significant development under his guidance. In 1623, Lagrange assumed responsibility for the construction, and Christophe Marie resumed control four years later, concluding the work in 1647 in collaboration with the local residents. Two ministerial decrees, one on the 24th of Frimaire Year XIII and another on May 9, 1818, established the wharf’s narrow dimensions, terminating at No. 41.

Named in honor of Louis XIII’s brother, the Duke of Anjou, the Quai d’Anjou initially bore this name only in part. The western segment was known as the Quai Alencon until 1780, when it adopted the Quai d’Anjou name in full. Briefly named Quai de l’Union in 1792, it reverted to Quai d’Anjou by 1805, a title it retains to this day. In the 19th century, the quay was lined with about twenty houses. Subsequent retrenchments affected several buildings on the odd-numbered side, including Nos. 19, 21, 23, and 25, enhancing the architectural coherence of this historic Parisian landmark.

Prominent buildings and residents of Quai d’Anjou

The Quai d’Anjou is currently surrounded by many notable buildings. It opens with the prestigious Hôtel Lambert, originally belonging to Lambert de Thorigny and built by the architect Louis Le Vau. Having changed hands multiple times, the hotel is now owned by the Polish prince Czartoryski. Notably, No. 1 Quai d’Anjou was once marked by the Hôtel Bretonvilliers, constructed between 1637 and 1642 by architect Jean Androuet du Cerceau at the request of financier Claude Le Ragois de Bretonvilliers. This building was demolished in 1874 to make way for the construction of the Pont de Sully and the opening of Boulevard Henri IV.

At No. 5, there stands the Hôtel de Marigny, property of Madame de Pompadour’s brother, the Marquis de Marigny. It was later purchased by Count Chemillé and the knight Lepeultre, who, indebted, abandoned the hotel to flee, leaving it to his wife. His creditor, the Marquis de Vignolles, sold it in 1779 for repayment. Until 1843, the building remained the property of the Pincot family.

At No. 17 is the Hôtel de Lauzun, also known as the Hôtel Pimodan, built by Louis Le Vau from 1656 for the couple Gruÿn des Bordes and Geneviève Mony. The hotel changed ownership several times until 1928, when it became the property of the city of Paris and was classified as a historical monument.

Prominent individuals have resided along Quai d’Anjou, including Honoré Daumier at No. 9, Paul Cézanne at No. 15, and until September 1843, Charles Baudelaire lived in this house.