Sainte-Avoye in Paris in Département de Paris, Île-de-France, France — Western Europe

Gassendi

— Histoire de Paris —

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 2, 2024

1. Gassendi Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Né le 22 janvier 1592 au village de Champtercier, près de Digne, l'astronome Pierre Gassendi est une figure de la vie intellectuelle parisienne, dans le cercle de savants qui préfigure l'Académie des sciences. Nommé en 1645 titulaire de la chaire de mathématiques du Collège royal, ce "grand homme en petite taille" est "un abrégé de vertu morale et de toutes les belles sciences, mais entre autres, d'une grande humilité et bonté, et d'une connaissance très sublime dans les mathématiques" selon son confrère Gui Patin, pourtant peu porté à l'indulgence. Il passe les deux dernières années de sa vie ici, chez son ami Henri Habert de Montmor, maître des requêtes et généreux mécène, et meurt le 24 octobre 1655.

(English translation:)
Born on January 22, 1592 in the village of Champtercier, near Digne, the astronomer Pierre Gassendi was a figure of Parisian intellectual life, in the circle of scholars who prefigured the Academy of Sciences. Appointed in 1645 as the holder of the chair of mathematics at the Collège royal, this "great man in small stature" was "an epitome of moral virtue and

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

all the beautiful sciences, but among other things, of great humility and kindness, and of a very sublime knowledge in mathematics" according to his colleague Gui Patin, who was nevertheless not given to indulgence. He spent the last two years of his life here, with his friend Henri Habert de Montmor, master of requests and generous patron, and died on October 24, 1655.

Erected by Ville de Paris.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Histoire de Paris series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 24, 1655.

Location. 48° 51.683′ N, 2° 21.375′ E. Marker is in Paris, Île-de-France, in Département de Paris. It is in Sainte-Avoye. It is on Rue du Temple. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 72 Rue du Temple, Paris, Île-de-France 75003, France. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

a coastal Mediterranean country,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony

and also the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hôtel de Montmor (a few steps from this marker); Hôtel de Saint-Aignan (within shouting distance of this marker); Edmond Louis Alexis Dubois-Crance (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Jean Le Rond d'Alambert (about 120 meters away); Anne Frank (about 120 meters away); Jardin Anne-Frank (2007) (about 150

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 2, 2024

2. Gassendi Marker

Of the two markers visible here, the one for Gassendi is the one on the right.

meters away); Lycée Nicolas Flamel Deported Jewish Students Memorial (about 150 meters away); Hôtel d’Hallwyll (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paris.

Also see . . . Pierre Gassendi (Wikipedia). Overview:

Pierre Gassendi (also Pierre Gassend, Petrus Gassendi, Petrus Gassendus; 22 January 1592 – 24 October 1655) was a French philosopher, Catholic priest, astronomer, and mathematician. While he held a church position in south-east France, he also spent much time in Paris, where he was a leader of a group of free-thinking intellectuals. He was also an active observational scientist, publishing the first data on the transit of Mercury in 1631. The lunar crater Gassendi is named after him.

He wrote numerous philosophical works, and some of the positions he worked out are considered significant, finding a way between skepticism and dogmatism. Richard Popkin indicates that Gassendi was one of the first thinkers to formulate the modern "scientific outlook", of moderated skepticism and empiricism. He clashed with his contemporary Descartes on the possibility of certain knowledge. His best known intellectual project attempted to reconcile Epicurean atomism with Christianity.

(Submitted on November 6, 2024.)

Gassendi Marker - wider view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 2, 2024

3. Gassendi Marker - wider view

Additional keywords. astronomy, panneau

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 6, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.