1885 A new street opened in Paris’s 13th arrondissement. It was named Rue Henri Pape. This wasn’t just any street. It honored Jean Henri Pape a renowned piano maker.
Rue Henri Pape connects Rue Damesme and Rue Ernest et Henri Rousselle. It ends at Place de l’Abbé Georges Hénocque. Before its current name it was Rue Edmond Valentin. The street’s history is woven into the fabric of the 13th arrondissement. It reflects the area’s transformation.
Imagine a time before Rue Henri Pape. The area was quite different. It was called the Butte du Moulin-des-Prés. The name translated as the Hill of the Meadow Mill. This area was leveled to fill the Bièvre marshes. The mill itself sadly no longer exists. It was destroyed in the late 19th century. But its memory lives on in the street’s name. And the street’s location.
At the beginning of Rue Henri Pape stands a remarkable sight. Identical pavilions line the street. These were built beginning in 1909. They were originally built for the cooperative society La Petite Chaumière. The architect was Henri Rebersat. These charming pastel-colored houses with their wooden balconies offer a unique glimpse into Parisian history. Their colors add an element of whimsy to the Parisian streetscape.
Henri Pape’s legacy extends beyond the name of this quiet street. He was more than just a piano maker. He was an innovator. He dedicated nearly forty years to perfecting his craft. He obtained 137 patents related to piano construction. His inventions transformed the instrument. His name lives on. It is a lasting testament to his contributions to the world of music. And Paris.
Today as you stroll down Rue Henri Pape you walk on the ground of the past. You see the quiet elegance of early 20th-century Parisian design. You imagine the sounds of pianos from the workshop of Henri Pape himself. You are walking on the past. On the present. And on history. You are on Rue Henri Pape.