Rue des Colonnes du Trône

Why is this street named after the ‘Columns of the Throne’? Right here on Rue des Colonnes du Trône, you might be surprised to learn that you’re standing in the shadow of royal history. The Rue des Colonnes du Trône, tucked away in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, takes its name from a grand vestige of the past. These columns, towering high above, are not just any columns. They are the remnants of the magnificent gateway known as the Barriére du Trône, part of the wall that once encircled Paris. Designed by the visionary architect Claude Nicolas Ledoux, the gateway with its imposing columns and flanking pavilions stood as a symbol of royal authority. The year was 1787, just a few years before the revolution would sweep across France, toppling monarchies and redrawing the city’s map. Interestingly, while the French Revolution led to the renaming of many landmarks, the ‘Columns of the Throne’ persevered. Perhaps it was their architectural grandeur or maybe a touch of irony, but they remained standing, even as the throne itself was overturned. Today, these columns, crowned with statues of Saint Louis and Philippe Auguste, stand as silent witnesses to centuries of change, reminding us of the enduring power of history and its ability to leave its mark on the very streets we walk.