Boulevard Voltaire
| Company type | Public street |
|---|---|
| Industry | Urban infrastructure |
| Founded | 19th century |
| Founder | Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
Area served | 11th arrondissement of Paris |
| Products | Thoroughfare, commercial and cultural venues |
The Boulevard Voltaire () stands as a significant thoroughfare within the 11th arrondissement of Paris, originally established by Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III. Initially called Boulevard du Prince-Eugène, it received its current name on 25 October 1870, in tribute to the Enlightenment thinker and writer Voltaire.
This boulevard forms a vital link between two historic squares associated with the French Revolution: Place de la République and Place de la Nation. It functions as a principal route for left-wing demonstrations.
Adorned with rows of platanus trees, Boulevard Voltaire is home to several key landmarks such as the municipal offices of the 11th arrondissement, the Church of Saint-Ambroise, and Place Léon-Blum (previously known as Place Voltaire), which features a sculpture honoring the French statesman Léon Blum. The boulevard also contains the renowned Bataclan Theatre, designed by Charles Duval and constructed in 1864. The segment between Boulevard Richard-Lenoir and Place Léon-Blum hosts numerous leading textile companies, while entertainment venues and video shops predominantly occupy the odd-numbered side.
A tragic event occurred here during the November 2015 Paris attacks, when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive near the Bataclan on this boulevard.
Crossing streets
The following streets intersect Boulevard Voltaire: (side specified if applicable)
- Rue Amelot (right)
- Rue Rampon (left)
- Rue Jean-Pierre-Timbaud - Rue de Malte
- Rue de Crussol
- Rue Oberkampf
- Boulevard Richard-Lenoir
- Rue Saint-Sébastien
- Rue Saint-Ambroise (left)
- Rue Lacharrière (left)
- Rue Popincourt (right)
- Rue du Chemin-Vert
- Rue Sedaine
- Place Léon-Blum (formerly Place Voltaire)
- Avenue Parmentier (left)
- Rue de la Roquette
- Avenue Ledru-Rollin (right)
- Rue Richard-Lenoir (right)
- Rue Mercœur (left)
- Rue de Belfort (left); Rue François-de-Neufchateau (right)
- Rue Gobert (right)
- Allée du Philosophe (left)
- Cité de Phalsbourg (left)
- Rue de Charonne (Place du 8 Février 1962)
- Rue Chanzy (right)
- Rue Léon-Frot (left)
- Rue Alexandre-Dumas (left)
- Rue des Boulets (right)
- Rue Voltaire (left)
- Rue Guénot (left)
- Rue de Montreuil
- Rue des Immeubles-Industriels (right)