A hotel near the Square de Montsouris? FRED HOTEL!
Just two steps from the Montsouris reservoir is the protected heritage site Square de Montsouris, a narrow winding street lined with wisteria and ivy-clad houses. During the "Roaring Twenties" - a time when the 14th arrondissement was the intellectual centre of Paris - many artists lived on this street. At the end of the square you can also see a building built by the architect Le Corbusier. This charming spot is reminiscent of the bucolic charm of Impasse du Moulin Vert.
History of the Square de Montsouris in Paris
With Baron Haussmann's great renovation works in the Montsouris quarter, the whole area was fully redeveloped and gradually became a sizeable neighbourhood. With its proximity to Montparnasse, many artists were attracted to this newly renovated area, where they set up their workshops between the two world wars. The cobbled lane still testifies to their time here, paying tribute to them with lovely flower adorned properties and charming villas. The 62 villas of Square de Montsouris were mostly designed by architect Jacques Bonnier. These villas housed a mix of workers and artists and were among the first social housing buildings.
Inhabitants of the Square de Montsouris
At the end of the Square de Montsouris is the Villa Reille, created by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret in Dom-Ino House style for the painter Amédée Ozenfant. The archaeologist Joseph Déchelette lived at number 42. Number 6 and number 40 of the street, with stained glass windows and half-timbered charm, were the works of architect Gilles Buisson. Number 40 was home to the architect himself and later on the sculptor Claude Bouscau. Other notable artists such as the painter Roger Bissière, the painter Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita and the painter Nicolas Wacker lived in these charming villas.
Original architecture with mixed styles
This charming little cobblestone street features varied architectural styles such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Classical, Modern, and even Contemporary. This place is full of little details recalling each of these styles. Notice the beautiful half-timbering, splendid stone bricks and reinforced concrete façades, awnings, and balcony colonnades shrouded in century old vines and wisteria.
FRED HÔTEL near the Square de Montsouris
FRED HÔTEL near the Square de Montsouris is only a 25-minute walk from the site or 20 minutes by public transport.
Walking from the FRED HÔTEL to the Square of Montsouris: leaving FRED HÔTEL, turn left into rue Villemain and then take rue d'Alésia. Once at the Petit-Montrouge roundabout, head right on the avenue du General Leclerc. Turn left into rue Beaunier until you get to place Jules Henaffe. Take rue Reille and turn right at Square de Montsouris at around number 60 rue Reille.
By public transport from FRED HÔTEL to Square de Montsouris: go to the bus stop Plaisance - Hopital Saint Joseph and take line 62 direction Porte de France. Get off at René Coty. Bypass the gymnasium and turn left into Avenue René Coty. When you reach avenue Reille, continue heading straight onto rue Nansouty before taking the first right into Square de Montsouris.
A little side tour of the Montsouris reservoir
The Montsouris reservoir nearby the Square de Montsouris reveals a massive underground “water cathedral”.
