Rue de Crimée

Hidden within the vibrant 19th arrondissement, Rue de Crimée stretches over two and a half kilometers. It’s the longest street in the arrondissement, a sprawling artery teeming with life and history. Rue de Crimée wasn’t always such a prominent landmark. Its name, bestowed in 1868, echoes a distant conflict: the Crimean War (1855-1856). This war, fought on the Crimean Peninsula against Russia, involved a coalition of France, Britain, the Ottoman Empire, and Piedmont-Sardinia. The street’s name serves as a constant reminder of this historical event. Rue de Crimée connects Place des Fêtes to Rue d’Aubervilliers. Along the way, it dramatically crosses the Canal de l’Ourcq via the Pont levant de la rue de Crimée, a lifting bridge built in 1885. This bridge, initially one of three of its kind, remains the last operational lifting bridge in Paris, performing an impressive 9,000 maneuvers annually. Its presence adds a unique touch to the neighborhood’s character. As you stroll along Rue de Crimée, imagine the barges passing underneath the raised bridge. Picture the bustling activity this vital waterway brought to the area. This street offers more than just a thoroughfare. It’s a gateway to several key metro stations, including Place des Fêtes, Botzaris, Laumière, and even a station bearing its own name: Crimée. The Crimée metro station, situated under Avenue de Flandre, offers easy access to this remarkable street via a metro entrance on Rue Mathis. Rue de Crimée also boasts proximity to the serene Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, offering a green escape from the urban hustle. It’s a street where history and modern life intertwine, where echoes of the past meet the vibrant energy of the present. As you walk along Rue de Crimée, consider the layers of history beneath your feet. This street, once part of a departmental road, has grown and evolved alongside the city, carrying within it the stories of wars, innovations, and the everyday lives of Parisians.