Perhaps a stroll is in order? The Sentier rural n\u00b030 beckons. It is not just a path it is a journey through time and transformation. The Sentier district found near the Grands Boulevards is nestled in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. It sits comfortably between Boulevard S\u00e9bastopol Rue du Sentier and Rue R\u00e9aumur.
Once upon a time the Sentier was avoided. People thought it too dangerous to even pass through. Today this district has become a thriving hub. It is now known for its textile stores and diverse commercial activities. In fact it has been renamed \”Silicon Sentier\” because of the numerous Internet start-ups. Companies like Adopteunmec.com have made this area their home.
Let’s rewind a bit. The Sentier’s story began with the building of city walls during the Hundred Years War. A hamlet appeared in the 15th century at the gate of Saint-Denis. Intriguingly this district was born out of a rubbish dump. Imagine a hill made entirely of garbage. Medieval inhabitants threw their waste against the old wall in the same spot. This hill grew to 10 meters high. A windmill was even built on top. This unusual landmark gave rise to the name Villeneuve sur Gravois or the New City on Gravel.
Trails or sentiers led to this hill. Some say these trails gave the district its name. Another theory suggests the name comes from walks around the city walls. In 1591 the garbage hill was destroyed to prevent King Henri IV from using it for his canons. In 1628 the church Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle was built marking a period of renewal.
The Sentier also gained notoriety as the main Court of Miracles in Paris. This counter-society housed around 30000 inhabitants in a fortified slum. They had their own king laws taxes and slang. They defied authorities by refusing to pay taxes. Their main activities were begging and stealing. Beggars pretended to be invalid to gain sympathy. Thieves had to pass exams to prove their skills. Louis XIV could not tolerate this challenge. He appointed La Reynie as the first police lieutenant of Paris with a mission to destroy the Court of Miracles.
In 1667 La Reynie besieged the area and threatened to hang the last 12 beggars captured. This caused a panic and the beggars fled. Parisians welcomed this destruction calling it bonne nouvelle or good news. This expression gave its name to the nearby metro station.
Since the 17th century many craftsmen settled in the Sentier. They were later replaced by ready-to-wear manufacturers and distributors. This specialization grew in the 20th century attracting immigrants Jews Turks Armenians and Asians. Today the Chinese community is growing in the clothing district. However the area has also diversified with data-centers and start-ups earning it the nickname Silicone Sentier.
As you walk along Sentier rural n\u00b030 take a moment to appreciate its multifaceted past. From garbage dump to textile hub to Silicon Sentier this district embodies the ever-evolving spirit of Paris.