Avenue de Choisy

Avenue de Choisy is a major thoroughfare in the southeast of Paris, located within the 13th arrondissement. It forms a key part of the historical axis extending from Place d'Italie towards the commune of Choisy-le-Roi, for which it is named. The avenue is renowned for its vibrant Asian community, particularly concentrated in the Triangle de Choisy, and features a distinctive architectural blend of Haussmannian buildings and modern developments. It serves as a vital commercial and cultural corridor, deeply integrated into the Asian Quarter of Paris.

History

The avenue was officially created during the transformative Haussmannian works of the 1860s, under the direction of Georges-Eugène Haussmann, as part of a broader plan to modernize the capital's southern districts. It was inaugurated in 1863, extending the existing road network from the redeveloped Place d'Italie. The street's name commemorates the nearby town of Choisy-le-Roi, a former royal residence linked to Louis XV. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area remained largely residential and industrial, but a significant demographic shift began in the 1970s and 1980s with the arrival of refugees from French Indochina, particularly following the Vietnam War and the Fall of Saigon. This migration established the avenue as the heart of one of Europe's largest Chinatowns, fundamentally shaping its contemporary character.

Description and location

Avenue de Choisy runs approximately 1.3 kilometers in a straight north-south alignment, beginning at the bustling rotary of Place d'Italie and terminating at Boulevard Masséna near the Paris ring road. It bisects the Quartier de la Maison-Blanche and the Quartier de la Gare, forming the western edge of the dense commercial zone known as the Triangle de Choisy. The streetscape is characterized by a mix of classic Parisian architecture, including seven-story Haussmannian buildings with ground-floor arcades, and several large-scale modern developments from the 1970s, such as the Olympiades complex. Its southern end is marked by proximity to major infrastructure projects like the François-Mitterrand Library and the developing Paris Rive Gauche sector.

Notable buildings and landmarks

The avenue is lined with significant structures that reflect its diverse community. The Pagode de Choisy, a striking Buddhist temple, serves as a central spiritual and cultural hub. Notable commercial landmarks include the Tang Frères supermarket, a flagship of the Asian food retail empire, and the Paris-Store market. Architectural highlights feature the modernist Église Sainte-Anne de la Maison-Blanche and the large residential and commercial block at number 159, which houses numerous restaurants and shops. The northern section is dominated by the massive Centre commercial Italie 2, part of the larger Italie Deux mall complex anchored around Place d'Italie.

Transportation

Avenue de Choisy is a major public transport artery, served by multiple lines of the Paris Métro. The northern terminus is directly linked to the Place d'Italie station, a major interchange served by Line 5, Line 6, and Line 7. Further south, the Tolbiac station on Line 7 provides additional access. The avenue is also traversed by several bus lines of the RATP network, including lines 27, 47, 57, 64, and 83, connecting it to neighborhoods like the Latin Quarter, Gare de Lyon, and Porte d'Ivry. Its wide roadway accommodates significant vehicular traffic flowing between central Paris and the southern suburbs.

In popular culture

The avenue and its distinctive atmosphere have been featured in various cinematic and literary works. It served as a filming location for scenes in Luc Besson's 1990 film *Nikita*, capturing its urban landscape. The area's unique cultural fusion has inspired numerous documentaries and travelogues focusing on the Parisian Asian community. Furthermore, the avenue and its surrounding Triangle de Choisy are frequently cited in sociological studies and literature examining immigration and urban identity in contemporary France, such as in works by scholars like Françoise Gaspard.

Category:Streets in the 13th arrondissement of Paris Category:Transport in Paris