Rue Le Brun

In the shadow of the Gobelins Manufactory, Rue Le Brun whispers tales of artistry and extravagance. Rue Le Brun isn’t just a street. It’s a thread in the rich tapestry of Parisian history, connecting us to the grandeur of 18th-century France. Rue Le Brun got its name from the renowned painter and decorator, Charles Le Brun, the first director of the Gobelins Manufactory in the late 17th century. Its close proximity to this artistic hub makes the name all the more fitting. Before it bore this illustrious name, Rue Le Brun was part of Rue des Fossés-Saint-Marcel. This earlier name, meaning “Street of the Ditches of Saint-Marcel”, hints at its origins. The street’s curved path traces the line of a defensive moat. This moat was part of a new city wall built in the mid-14th century to protect the independent village of Saint-Marcel. At number 20 Rue Le Brun, hidden from the street, sits a remarkable structure. This “folie,” a pleasure house built in the 1730s, offers a glimpse into the luxurious lives of the era’s wealthy residents. Originally built for a timber merchant, Jean Nicot, the folie is often mistakenly associated with Jean de Julienne. Julienne, a famous dyer and art collector, actually resided near the Gobelins Manufactory. The folie’s unique architecture features an L-shaped design with a central rotunda flanked by two wings. The ground floor rotunda boasts a striking vaulted ceiling. Upstairs, a stone balcony with an iron railing and a mascaron-adorned pediment adds a touch of elegance. This hidden gem on Rue Le Brun stands as a testament to a bygone era. It reminds us of a time when pleasure houses dotted the Parisian landscape, catering to the whims of the affluent.