Once upon a time Rue de Château-Landon was known as the Chemin des Potences. This translates to the Path of the Gallows. A far cry from its current name isn’t it?
Rue de Château-Landon is located in Paris’s 10th arrondissement. It stretches from the Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Martin to the Boulevard de la Chapelle and Boulevard de la Villette. This street has quite a history. It boasts a fascinating past filled with dramatic changes.
Initially the name Rue de Château-Landon was a mistake. For years official documents incorrectly linked the street to the village of Château-Landon. This was a geographical error. The actual origin comes from a manor house. This house was built for a Mr Landon during the reign of Louis XIV. It stood around number 39. The Lazarists a religious order used it as a country retreat.
The Château Landon itself was still standing in 1900. However only the gate remained by 1910. Today a modern building stands on the site. It’s an HLM building managed by ICF Habitat.
Rue de Château-Landon’s history extends beyond the Landon manor. It served as a route to the Barrière des Vertus. This barrier was part of the old city walls. The street also connected to the Rue des Vertus. This is now the Rue d’Aubervilliers. It followed the pilgrimage route to Notre-Dame-des-Vertus. This adds another layer to this street’s rich past.
Even the First World War left its mark. In 1918 a shell from the infamous Grosse Bertha exploded at number 13. The building was a wallpaper factory owned by the Eastern Railway Company. The factory was near the Gare de l’Est. This event is just one of the many events that shaped this Parisian street.
Rue de Château-Landon also boasts significant landmarks. There’s the former Château-Landon fire station. Built between 1876 and 1879 it’s a beautiful example of architecture. The Lycée Colbert a renowned high school is also situated on this very street. For hip-hop enthusiasts the street holds special significance. Le Ticaret was the first Parisian venue dedicated to hip-hop culture from 1986 to 1997.
And who can forget the piscine Château-Landon? This Art Nouveau swimming pool at number 31 is a gem. Opened in 1884 it was the first heated public indoor pool in France. Its industrial design is quite unique. It once utilized heated water from the nearby Villette lift factories.
So next time you walk down Rue de Château-Landon remember its past. It’s a street steeped in history. It tells tales of gallows pathways and grand chateaux. It whispers stories of war and artistic expression. This is more than just a street. It’s a living testament to the ever-evolving tapestry of Parisian life.