Did you know that Rue Marcel Albert, once known as Rue Perdue, translates to Lost Street? It began as an unnamed path from the Seine to Place Maubert. Let me tell you its story.
Rue Marcel Albert is in the heart of medieval Paris. In 1300, plans of Paris showed it as Rue Perdue. The reason for this curious name is unfortunately lost. In the 17th century, it was named Rue Saint-Michel. This was after a college of the same name. But in 1763, it reverted to Rue Perdue before becoming Rue Marcel Albert in 1844.
But who was Marcel Albert? Actually the street is not named Marcel Albert. It is named after Maître Albert. It is named after Albertus Magnus. He was one of the greatest philosophers of the 13th century. He was also known as Albrecht von Bollstadt and Albert of Cologne. Since 1931, he has been Saint Albert the Great. He is the Patron Saint of Christian Scholars.
Born around 1200, Albert studied at the University of Padua. He later taught at Hildesheim and Strasbourg. He taught at the University of Paris. There, he received his doctorate in 1245. He was an expert in biology and chemistry. He also knew physics, astronomy, geography, metaphysics, and mathematics. The most famous of his disciples was Saint Thomas Aquinas. Maître Albert died in Cologne in 1280.
Maître Albert may have lived on Rue Marcel Albert. He did much of his teaching in the neighboring Place Maubert.
Place Maubert may be a contraction of Maître Albert. An alternative view suggests it is a corruption of Jean Aubert. He was abbot of the Abbeye de Sainte-Genevieve. They owned the land on which Place Maubert stood.
From the 15th century, Place Maubert was a place of execution. One notable victim was Étienne Dolet. He was a French scholar and printer. He was tortured, hanged, and burned in the square with his books in August 1546.
Today, Rue Marcel Albert runs from the Seine to Place Maubert. It still has a medieval feel. The traffic now uses it as a shortcut. It goes from Quai de la Tournelle to Place Maubert.
I explored Rue Marcel Albert. I wanted to capture its atmosphere in sound. I sat on a stone windowsill. It was across the street from Philippe Vergain’s atelier. I waited for the street to speak to me.
Close to me was a gallery. Its window display had echoes of Maître Albert. He was a natural scientist.
Listening to sounds stimulates my imagination. What did this street sound like in medieval times? What did it sound like during the great flood of 1910? Only our imagination can provide the answer.
Albertus Magnus had several names. He was a European wanderer. He was born in Germany. He spent time in Italy and France. Was he Albrecht Von Bollstadt? Was he Albertus Magnus, Albert de Cologne, or Albert le Grand? His real name was likely Albertus de Groot. This means Albert the Great.
Albert introduced Greek and Arabic teachings to the University of Paris. He wrote many books on animals and plants.
Legend says Albert created a metallic automaton. It could speak and reply to questions. The French artist Georges Hugnet created a portrait of this robot. Thomas Aquinas supposedly destroyed it.
Albert is sometimes called a magician. This is due to his interest in science. A popular 19th-century book called “Le Grand Albert” dealt with magic. It was believed to have originated from Albert’s writings. But he did write about alchemy. He said alchemists should be discreet and silent.
There is a restaurant on the corner of the street. It is called L’Atelier de Maître Albert. Inside, there is a fireplace and thick stone walls. There is no mention of alchemy or magic. Instead, it celebrates chef Guy Savoy. At the other end of the street is Place Maubert. Rue Marcel Albert carries the weight of history. It blends the echoes of a scholar with the realities of a bustling city.