Hidden in plain sight lies Rue de la Lune a Parisian gem. This unassuming street in the 2nd arrondissement holds centuries of secrets. Its name Rue de la Lune literally Moon Street is a whimsical tribute to a long-gone shop sign.
Rue de la Lune begins at 5 bis Boulevard de Bonne-Nouvelle. It ends at 36 Rue Poissonniere. A mere 267 meters long and 10 meters wide. This charming street was born in 1648. It’s situated on the Butte aux Gravois a hill outside the city walls of Charles V. Originally part of land belonging to a convent. Early houses were built around 1513 but destroyed in 1590.
The street’s history is richer than its length suggests. Imagine the maçons tailleurs de pierre and charpentiers who first inhabited the modest plots. They built their lives on this hill. In 1622 the convent sold off the land. Building continued until the street was officially established in 1648.
The impact of war touched Rue de la Lune. During World War I a shell from the infamous Grosse Bertha exploded at number 3. A jarring reminder of the conflict that reached even this quiet corner of Paris. Rue de la Lune has seen the passage of history. From its humble beginnings to its role in a world war.
Rue de la Lune features notable buildings. Number 12 housed the École Centrale de TSF. It later became the École Centrale d’Électronique. Numbers 18-20 lead to Square Jacques-Bidault a green haven in the city. The church of Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle stands nearby a silent witness to the street’s story. Even Marshal Ney a prominent figure in French history is said to have lived at number 22.
Literary figures have immortalized Rue de la Lune. In Honoré de Balzac’s Illusions perdues Lucien de Rubempré’s miserable lodgings were located here. The novel also mentions the funeral of his mistress Coralie which took place at Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle. This adds a literary layer to the street’s quiet elegance. Even Jorge Luis Borges’s Atlas refers to a brioche from a pâtisserie on Rue de la Lune.
So next time you’re in Paris remember Rue de la Lune. This is more than just a street. It’s a microcosm of Parisian history a blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary. A testament to the enduring charm of the city of lights.