Place Jacques-Duclos, Square in Montreuil, France
Place Jacques-Duclos, also known as Croix de Chavaux, is a central square in Montreuil, France, where several main roads converge. It was recently redesigned to feature wide pedestrian areas, benches, tables, a marked bike lane, and new trees alongside preserved older ones.
The square developed from an old relay point where travelers once stopped to change horses, which may explain the name Chavaux, an old word for horses. Over time it grew into a major urban junction and was later named after Jacques Duclos, a prominent leader of the French Communist Party.
The square is also known as Croix de Chavaux, a name that likely traces back to an old stone cross that once marked the crossroads for travelers. On certain days of the week, a street market sets up here, with stalls selling fresh produce, flowers, and everyday goods.
The square is served by a metro station right on the square, making it easy to reach from Paris and the surrounding area. Visitors on foot will find benches and shaded spots throughout, and cyclists can follow the marked bike lane that crosses the square.
The old cobblestones removed during the renovation were not discarded but reused as part of the new paving design across the square. Near the square there is also a small chapel, Saint-Antoine de la Croix de Chavaux, that most people passing through never notice.
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