“Where does this street get its name?” I wonder aloud. Welcome to Rue des Archives a street with a rich history in Paris. This street is nearly 900 meters long. It runs from Rue de Rivoli to Rue de Bretagne. Rue des Archives was formed by merging several medieval streets. However, the northern section is different. From Rue Portefoin to Rue de Bretagne, it was drawn in 1806. This happened on the site of the Children’s Hospital Enfants Rouges.
Rue des Archives evokes the Ville Neuve du Temple. This area appeared near the Temple enclosure. From the 12th century it gained power. It managed the royal treasury and served as a bank for princes. The Templars had special rights. They could harbor fugitives. The enclosure was between Rue du Temple, Rue de Bretagne, and Rue Caffarelli.
In the 13th century the Templars created a new town. It was between the inner and outer enclosures of Philippe Auguste. The Templars could have their land guarded by serfs. This made the land safer. In 1282 a network of streets began to be created. Eight streets ran parallel. They were perpendicular to Rue des Archives. This section ran from Rue Portefoin to Rue des Francs-Bourgeois.
Walking south from Rue de Bretagne you would find the Hôpital des Enfants Rouges. It took in orphans under the monarchy. Louis XV closed it to orphans. It became a hospital for foundlings. Eventually it closed completely. The name Enfants Rouges remains. It is the name of one of the oldest local markets.
At 78 Rue des Archives is the Hotel de Tallard. Bullet built it. He also constructed the Arch of Saint Martin. This hotel has an elegant staircase. It features medallions of the four seasons. These are carved in arcade ecoinsons.
Numbers 72, 74, and 76 Rue des Archives feature sumptuous hotels. They were built between 1642 and 1647. These include Hotel Le Peletier de Souzy and Hotel Villefix. Also present is Hotel Tallemant. Hotel Villefix was built between a courtyard and garden. It was modified in the 19th century.
At 70 Rue des Archives the Hotel de Montescot has its original design. It has three levels for the main building. The south wing has two floors. The garden remains as well. Note the portal with a tympanum. It is pierced by an oculus.
At number 62 is the Hotel Mongelas. It was erected in 1705. It housed Murat Jewellers from 1861 to 1965. In 2002 it became an annex of the Hunt Museum. The museum is in the adjacent building.
At 60 Rue des Archives is the Hotel de Guénégaud des Brosses. It is now the Hunting Museum. Francois Mansart rebuilt it from 1651 to 1653. Several firms invested in it in the 19th century. In 1961 the city of Paris bought it. It was then restored. This is the only Mansart mansion completely preserved in Paris. The hotel consists of a main building between courtyard and garden. Two wings lead back to the street. An entrance gate completes the design. The museum houses paintings by masters. These include Desportes, Oudry, and Chardin. They depict hunting. A collection of preserved animals is also on display.
At the corner of 53 Rue des Archives and Rue des Haudriettes is a fountain. It represents the style of 1765. It is decorated with a nymph.
At the corner of 49 Rue des Archives and Rue Braque was the Hotel Navonne. It was destroyed in 1925. A factory for electrical distribution replaced it.
The National Archives are located at 58 Rue des Archives. This space corresponds to seven historical buildings. These are gathered around a courtyard garden. The Hotel de Clisson is the oldest. Its fortified gate is a unique example of 14th century architecture.
The Hotel de Soubise has a huge courtyard. It ends in a semicircular form. Today you can visit the apartments of the Princess Guemenée. She lived there in the 18th century.
Continuing toward the Seine you will pass a place dear to French literature. Numbers 25-27 was the residence of Jean Valjean. He is the hero of Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables.
At 34 Rue des Archives is the “building workshop” of Renzo Piano. He was an architect of the Centre Georges Pompidou.
Since the late 20th century the area around Rue des Archives has been a gay neighborhood. The first gay bar opened in 1968. The Open Café is a must-visit. It is at the corner of Rue des Archives and Rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie.
At 20-24 Rue des Archives is the Billette church. Its cloister dates from 1427. It is an example of medieval Parisian architecture.
At the corner of Rue des Archives and Rue de Rivoli is the BHV department store. The Cognacq-Jay family founded it. They bequeathed an art collection. It is visible at the Musée Cognacq-Jay. It is on Rue Elzevir in the Marais.
Rue des Archives is a journey through Parisian history. It shows the city’s evolution. From medieval streets to modern life it is truly fascinating.