Hidden in plain sight lies Allée de la Plaine. A seemingly ordinary street in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. This unassuming lane holds a surprising history. It was once a humble rural path. This path is marked on an 1812 cadastral map of the former commune of Charonne.
The Allée de la Plaine’s name reflects its location in the Plaine de Charonne. This vast flat area once lay outside the city walls. The Allée de la Plaine quietly witnessed Paris expand. It absorbed this rural path into its ever-growing urban fabric.
Interestingly a prefectural decree attempted to rename the Allée de la Plaine. It suggested “Rue Benoît-Malon”. This name change never fully took hold. The original name remained. The Allée de la Plaine continued its quiet existence.
Today the Allée de la Plaine starts at 22 Boulevard de Charonne. It ends at its intersection with Rue des Pyrénées. A recent expansion of the Lucie-Faure school changed its length. Before this extension it ended at 31 Rue des Maraîchers. A new passage now extends Rue Philidor to Rue des Pyrénées. This passage was cleverly built through the Le Garance building. The building houses a RATP bus center. It remains gated though.
The Allée de la Plaine stands as a silent testament. This testament speaks of Paris’s evolution. It shows how a humble country lane became an integral part of the city. It demonstrates the quiet persistence of a simple name. It reminds us that even seemingly insignificant streets have stories to tell. The stories speak of a time long past. Yet they subtly enrich the present fabric of Paris. The Allée de la Plaine is an enduring thread. This thread connects the rural past to the vibrant present of this great city.