Is it just me or does this passage seem to whisper secrets of old Paris? This is the Passage Lemoine. It’s a unique slice of Parisian history tucked between the bustling Rue Saint-Denis and Boulevard de Sébastopol.
Passage Lemoine offers a journey back in time. Its story began long before its current name was adopted. Originally, this path was known as Rue du Houssaie. This name honored Étienne Houssaie. He was a property owner in the area during the 17th century.
Later, it became known as Rue de la Longue-Allée. This referred to a property purchased by Étienne Houssaie. Finally, it transitioned to Passage Lemoine. This name came from a later property owner.
This passage has seen significant changes over the centuries. The most dramatic came with the creation of Boulevard de Sébastopol. Construction of the boulevard started in 1854. It was inaugurated in 1858. This grand project reshaped the surrounding neighborhood. It also shortened Passage Lemoine on its eastern end.
Despite these changes, the Passage Lemoine retains its intriguing character. It stretches 104 meters connecting two vibrant streets. Imagine a time before the boulevard existed. Picture the passage as a longer route. It once connected to the Passage de la Longue-Allée. This connected Rue du Ponceau to Rue Neuve-Saint-Denis. The boulevard’s construction erased this connection.
Even today, the Passage Lemoine doesn’t appear on every map. It was missing from Jacques Gomboust’s map of 1652. The passage’s existence was finally acknowledged in 1714. It appeared as Rue de la Houssaie on Jean de La Caille’s map.
In the 19th century, a man named Lemoine owned the passage. Financial troubles led to the sale of the property. The Lemoine family sold the building in 1830 and 1833 to settle debts.
For a time, the address even housed Eugène Pottier. He was a textile designer and active member of the Paris Commune. In 1871, he penned “L’Internationale”. It became the anthem of the working class.
The name Passage Lemoine was not consistently used until the interwar period. Some maps from 1913 still referred to it as Passage de la Longue Allée. Today, it’s a quirky and authentic slice of Parisian life. It offers a quiet escape from the city’s frenzy. It’s a reminder of the city’s ever-evolving history.