Rue Érard

Gazing up at the unassuming facade of 11-19 Rue Érard, who could imagine the architectural aspirations that lie within? Rue Érard, a seemingly ordinary street in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, holds a hidden gem. This street, named after the renowned piano and harp maker Sébastien Érard, stretches between Rue de Reuilly and Place du Colonel-Bourgoin. Rue Érard quietly whispers tales of a rich past, dating back to 1672 when it first appeared on city maps. Back then, it bore the name “Rue de Ruilly” and later became known as “Petite rue de Reuilly” or “rue du Bas-Reuilly” due to its proximity to Rue de Reuilly. It even held the intriguing moniker “Vieille rue des Mousquetaires” at one point. But its present name, Rue Érard, honors the legacy of a musical craftsman whose creations once graced the nearby Faubourg Saint-Antoine. Look closer at the buildings. Notice the three interconnected towers at 11-19 Rue Érard. These structures, built in 1962 by architects Mario Heymann, Roger Anger, and Pierre Puccinelli, represent a unique experiment in urban living. They aimed to create the illusion of stacked individual houses, a daring attempt to personalize collective housing. Rue Érard has been touched by artistic hands. Painter Jean Feugereux (1923-1992) maintained his Parisian studio here, while artist Grégory Chatonsky (born 1971) resided at number 10. And at number 30, the spirit of Élisabeth Ronget (1899-1980), another artist, once graced the street. The very ground beneath our feet on Rue Érard echoes with stories from centuries past. Between numbers 9 and 21 once stood the “Manoir de Reuilly,” believed to have been a residence of King Dagobert. This manor passed through the hands of the Knights Templar in the 13th century, then to the Hospitallers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, and eventually to the French monarchy. On the opposite side, where number 12 now stands, the Couvent des Dames de la Trinité flourished in the 18th century, its gardens stretching all the way to Rue Montgallet. Rue Érard stands as a silent witness to the relentless evolution of Paris. It represents a remarkable blend of old and new. So, next time you find yourself strolling along Rue Érard, take a moment to appreciate the hidden depths and the echoes of history beneath the surface.