It connects the place Anatole France, where it leads to the Pont Wilson, and the Avenue de Grammont.

The facades should be absolutely symmetrical, therefore, the notable buildings were built in mirror on both sides of the street (place Anatole France), before the Loire.

In mid-June 1940, Nazi bombing after the fall of Paris caused a major fire which destroyed part of the Rue Nationale, including the old Hôtel de Ville.

After the war, Camille Lefèvre proposed a project to reorganize the street, but it was the architect Pierre Patout who was granted to rebuild.

The total restructuring of the wide part of the street is planned for 2013, including new construction (a Musée d'art contemporain, etc.)

[2] Buildings, including two hotels, will be designed by the agency Arte Charpentier and the architect Andrew Hobson.