Tucked away in the serene 15th arrondissement of Paris, Rue du Colonel Colonna d’Ornano is a hidden gem. It’s a quiet lane that whispers tales of a brave man who served his country with valor during two world wars. This verdant avenue is a calm oasis in the city’s bustling heart.
The street is named after Colonel Jean Colonna d’Ornano, a French military officer who distinguished himself in both World War I and World War II. He was born in Algiers in 1895. In 1941, he was tragically killed in a raid on Mourzouq in Libya while fighting alongside General Leclerc.
Despite being just 163 meters long and 18 meters wide, Rue du Colonel Colonna d’Ornano holds significant historical importance. It sits nestled in the place where a 18th-century country house, known as “La Folie”, once stood. “La Folie” bordered the town of Vaugirard, marking the boundary between the rues Miollis and Lecourbe. Today, Rue du Colonel Colonna d’Ornano is a pedestrian-only street, lined with trees and dotted with small green spaces.
It’s a tranquil haven where Parisians and visitors alike can escape the city’s clamor and embrace the serenity. As you stroll down this peaceful lane, you can almost feel the echoes of the past, hear whispers of a brave soldier, and imagine the tranquility of “La Folie”, a testament to a bygone era.