Hidden beneath the Parisian streets lies a secret. A secret whispered through the cobblestones of Rue de la Dhuys. This unassuming street in the 20th arrondissement holds a remarkable history. A history linked to the reservoirs of La Dhuis.
Rue de la Dhuys wasn’t always a street. It began as a rural pathway. Maps from 1812 show it as the “sentier des Hauts-Montiboeufs”. Later it was called the “sentier des Bua”. Its current name Rue de la Dhuys arrived in 1904. The name reflects its proximity to the Dhuis aqueduct. This remarkable feat of engineering brings water from the Aisne region to Paris.
Imagine the workers who built that aqueduct. The tireless effort to provide Parisians with fresh water. The Dhuis aqueduct a 131 km long underground marvel was built between 1863 and 1865. Think of the ingenuity and the sheer scale of the project. The aqueduct’s existence profoundly shaped the area around Rue de la Dhuys.
In 1920 a council member suggested turning Avenue de la Dhuys into a public promenade. It was to lead to the Renardière redoubt. The redoubt itself was to be incorporated into the promenade. This shows the evolving relationship between the city and its surrounding areas. The desire for green spaces near Rue de la Dhuys reflects a growing awareness of the importance of urban planning and the quality of life.
Today Rue de la Dhuys remains a quiet residential street. It is a reminder of Paris’s layered history. A place where a rural past meets modern urban life. It connects the past to the present through the simple act of bringing water to the city. Walking down Rue de la Dhuys is like stepping back in time. It’s a journey through the evolution of Paris itself. It’s a testament to engineering and urban design. It is a secret unveiled. A quiet Parisian story.