Why is this square split in two? You might ask. Welcome to Square de la Porte de la Villette. This square, tucked in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, holds a curious secret. It wasn’t always this way. Square de la Porte de la Villette predates the bustling Peripherique, the ring road that encircles Paris. When the decision was made to build this major roadway, Square de la Porte de la Villette found itself directly in the path. The solution? The Peripherique was built right through it, splitting the square. Today, a curious vestige of this division remains. Rue Forceval, a pedestrian path, slices through the square. This path dives under the Peripherique, emerging on the other side in the neighboring town of Pantin, a testament to the square’s unique history.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.