“Does anyone know the story of Allée de la Croix Bossée?” I ask. This seemingly simple alley in Cachan holds a tale within its name. It is a story rooted in history and faith. Allée de la Croix Bossée is more than just a path. It’s a connection to a past era.
The name “Croix Moreau” echoes through time. A document mentions a “Jehan Moreau.” He owned land in this area long ago. Later, a 1704 map shows a calvary called “Croix Moreau.” This calvary marked a significant spot. The “chemin de la Croix-Moreau” was the old name for Rue Ordener and Rue des Portes-Blanches. It connected Clignancourt to the Chapelle district. The cross stood at the corner of Rue de Clignancourt and Rue Marcadet.
Like the Cross of the Gospel, it stood on the path of virtues. This path led from Saint-Denys de la Chapelle church to Notre-Dame-des-Vertus church in Aubervilliers. Imagine pilgrims walking this route centuries ago. They sought spiritual solace. They passed by the Croix Moreau. Today, Allée de la Croix Bossée may appear ordinary. But its name carries the weight of this history.
The current Rue de la Croix-Moreau was created during the development of the ZAC Évangile. It was initially known as “voie AL/18.” A municipal decree later gave it its current name. At the corner of Rue de la Croix-Moreau and Rue Tristan-Tzara stands the Chapelle des Quatre-Évangélistes. It was built in 1988. This chapel belongs to the Chemin-Neuf community. It serves as a parish for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of Saint Euthyme of Tarnovo.
Saint Euthyme of Tarnovo was a theologian. He founded the Tarnovo school. This school was an intellectual center of medieval Bulgaria. The nearby Chapelle-Charbon park covers 6.5 hectares. It is being created on the site of a former freight station. The Allée de la Croix Bossée may seem like a small detail in the urban landscape. Yet it connects us to layers of Parisian history. It links landowners to religious routes. It shows urban development to modern spirituality. Next time you stroll down Allée de la Croix Bossée, remember its story. Think of Jehan Moreau. Imagine the ancient calvary. Consider the pilgrims who once walked this way. This small alley holds a large piece of Parisian history.