“Where did the wall go?” someone asks. Rue des Remparts holds a secret. It whispers of a time when Paris was encircled by mighty ramparts. Today, no visible walls remain. Yet, their memory lives on in this street’s name.
The story of Rue des Remparts starts in the 17th century. King Louis XIII decided Paris needed stronger defenses. His decision led to the construction of a new city wall. To make way for it, part of Charles V’s old wall was torn down. Rue des Remparts was born from this demolition. It followed the path of the old rampart.
Cardinal Richelieu played a key role. He spearheaded development west of the Palais-Cardinal. This area became known as Faubourg Richelieu. Rue des Remparts was part of this new district. The street’s layout mirrored the fallen wall’s direction. Streets like Rue de la Boucherie and Rue Traversière were also parallel. All were built on the old wall’s footprint.
Originally, Rue des Remparts was a small passage. It connected Rue Saint-Honoré and Rue de Richelieu. It was the southernmost link between these two streets. The street faced Rue Saint-Nicaise on one side. On the other stood the Théâtre Français.
Over time, Rue des Remparts went by different names. In 1636, it was called Rue Champin. By 1652, it had reverted to Rue du Rempart. In the 19th century, it was sometimes called Rue Jeanisson. It was also known as Rue du Rempart-Saint-Honoré. These names distinguished it from other streets with similar names. Streets like Rue Sainte-Foy and Rue Meslay also ran along former walls.
The end of Rue des Remparts came in stages. Emperor Napoleon III wanted a grand avenue. It was called Avenue de l’Opéra. The avenue’s construction required demolishing buildings. The south side of Rue des Remparts disappeared first. Work stopped for a decade. The north side of the street remained. A small square was formed. Later, work resumed. The entire street vanished.
Today, Place André-Malraux occupies the site. It was previously named Place du Théâtre-Français. Few remember Rue des Remparts. However, its name is a reminder. It speaks of Paris’s layered past. It echoes with the sounds of construction and demolition. It hints at the ever-changing face of the city. So next time you find yourself in Place André-Malraux, remember the street that once ran here. Think of the ramparts. They once protected Paris and gave Rue des Remparts its name.