Rue de Malte

A hidden gem in the heart of Paris, Rue de Malte whispers tales of Knights and Kings. Rue de Malte sits quietly in the 11th arrondissement. It stretches between Rue Oberkampf and Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple. This street holds a unique connection to the Knights of Malta. The street’s name originates from the Count of Artois. He was the Prior of the Temple of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. This order is also known as the Knights of Malta. The street was opened in 1780 on the dependencies of the Grand Priory. Before its grand title, Rue de Malte had a humbler beginning. In the 18th century, it was known as “Chemin des Marais.” It traversed the marshes of the Temple. It even bore the unfortunate moniker “Rue Merderet” due to its use as a dumping ground for refuse. A royal decree in 1781 transformed the area. The king authorized the opening of several roads on land owned by the Hospitaller Priory of the Temple. This was part of a development project to create the “Nouvelle Ville d’Angoulême.” Rue de Malte became a central artery in this new district. It connected Rue de Ménilmontant and Rue de la Tour. Interestingly, Rue de Malte was originally divided into segments. One part ran from Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple towards Rue de la Tour. Initially a narrow, winding path, this section was later widened and straightened in the 1860s. This transformation was part of Baron Haussmann’s grand redesign of Paris. This redevelopment included the creation of Place de la République. The angled orientation of the building at number 54 predates these renovations. It offers a glimpse of the street’s original layout. Rue de Malte has also witnessed moments of historical significance. During World War I, a shell from the German “Big Bertha” cannon exploded at number 15 in 1918. Today, remnants of its past linger. The Alhambra Gymnase at number 11 once hosted boxing matches in the 1930s. Number 13 was the home and final resting place of sculptor Jean-Baptiste Révillon. At number 50 stood the Cirque Impérial, later transformed into the Opéra-Populaire and then the Alhambra music hall. This famed venue hosted legendary performers like Mistinguett, Django Reinhardt, and Duke Ellington before its demolition in 1967. Even fashion history has a place on Rue de Malte. In 1945, Céline Vipiana opened her first boutique at number 52. From humble beginnings as a children’s shoe shop, this marked the start of a global fashion empire.