Why is this Parisian street called Rue de Tunis? The Rue de Tunis in the 11th arrondissement has a story to tell. It is a story of kings, plagues, and a North African capital.
The Rue de Tunis begins at Place de la Nation. It ends at Rue de Montreuil. The street stretches for 134 meters. It is a modest 8 meters wide.
Originally, this street was named Rue des Ormeaux. This name appears on Jaillot’s 1775 map. But how did Rue des Ormeaux become Rue de Tunis? The answer lies with Saint Louis.
A statue of Saint Louis once stood at Place de la Nation. It was created by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. Louis IX, or Saint Louis, died near Tunis. He succumbed to the plague in 1270 during the Eighth Crusade. He was 55 years old.
The name Rue de Tunis is a direct reminder. It commemorates Louis IX’s death in Tunisia. An arrêt, or order, officially changed the street’s name. This happened to honor the king who died far from France.
Imagine the Paris of 1867. The city was transforming. New streets emerged. Old names faded. Rue des Ormeaux was no more. Rue de Tunis was born. It was a tribute to a distant land and a king’s demise.
Now, as you walk along Rue de Tunis, think of Saint Louis. Think of his journey. Think of the plague that ended his life near Tunis. This street is more than just a path. It is a memory etched in stone. It links Paris to Tunis. It connects the present to a distant past.