Named after an old crossroads with a cross, where coach horses were changed.
Six roads met here, leading to Paris, Rosny-sous-Bois, Bagnolet and Vincennes. A large wayside cross stood at the junction, shown on old maps, and 'Chavaux' is thought to be a corruption of chevaux, horses, as there was a coaching inn where the mail coaches changed horses. The square is now the place Jacques-Duclos.