A Parisian whisper. That’s what Rue de Logelbach feels like. A quiet secret tucked away in the 17th arrondissement. This unassuming street in the Plaine de Monceaux district holds a fascinating history. It’s named after Logelbach a village near Colmar in Alsace. Antoine Herzog an Alsatian speculator orchestrated its creation. He purchased fourteen hectares of land. He wanted to build on this land. He needed new streets. He approached the prefect of the Seine. He proposed three new streets. He offered the land to the city of Paris for free. He promised to pay for all the construction work. This included paving drainage water pipes and lighting. The city agreed.
Rue de Logelbach was born. It starts at 1 Rue de Phalsbourg. It ends at 18 Rue Henri-Rochefort. It is 160 meters long and 12 meters wide. Herzog’s vision was to honor his Alsatian roots. The streets he created recall places from Alsace and Moselle. Rue de Phalsbourg Rue de Thann and Rue de Logelbach all reflect this. The area’s history goes back further. The Pereire brothers purchased land in the Plaine Monceau area. The old Chateau de Monceaux had changed hands many times. In 1828 Elie Deguingand a notary bought the chateau. New streets slowly appeared. Rue de Tocqueville in 1840. Avenue de Neuilly (now Avenue de Villiers) in 1850. Rue Legendre around 1860. Boulevard Malesherbes in 1861. Place Malesherbes (now Place du Général-Catroux) in 1862. Rue de Prony in 1866. Finally Rue Montchanin (now Rue Jacques-Bingen) in 1876.
Herzog’s project was part of this larger transformation. His contribution was significant. He partnered with Madame Deguingand. Together they created a new neighborhood. Rue de Logelbach became part of Paris’s official street network. A decree in 1879 officially recognized it. This quiet street bears witness to this transformation. It has seen the passage of time. It holds memories of notable residents. Ludovic Trarieux a lawyer and politician lived and died at number 4. Paul Rabel an engineer resided at number 5 in the late 19th century.
Today Rue de Logelbach remains a peaceful haven. It’s a testament to ambition. It is a tribute to a man’s longing for his homeland. It whispers stories of Parisian development. It shares the quiet dignity of its past. Walk along its length. Let its history unfold before you. Remember the quiet determination of Antoine Herzog. His legacy lives on in this small but significant Parisian street.