In 1750, a wave of panic gripped Paris. Children were vanishing, and whispers blamed King Louis XV, claiming he bathed in their blood. The Route de la Révolte, stretching from Versailles to Saint-Denis, became a symbol of the king’s detachment from the escalating fear. Originally a humble path known as the “Route des Princes,” the Route de la Révolte gained notoriety when Louis XV used it to bypass the angry Parisians during this tumultuous time. He was traveling to visit his daughter in Saint-Denis, but his avoidance of the city only fueled public rage. The king’s journey along this route cemented its new name, forever linking it to the people’s revolt. Ironically, this same road, then in a deplorable state, had witnessed the mire-bound funeral procession of Louis XIV. Years later, it would carry Louis XV’s own funeral cortège. The Route de la Révolte wasn’t just a road. It was a tangible representation of the growing tension between the monarchy and the people. This tension would eventually erupt into the French Revolution. Today, remnants of the Route de la Révolte are still visible. The route started at Porte Maillot, then passed through Porte de la Révolte and Carrefour Pleyel. It continued in a straight line to the current Porte de Paris in Saint-Denis. While the name has largely disappeared from Parisian maps, the “Pont de la Révolte” bridge in Saint-Denis still echoes this historical event. It stands as a reminder of the king’s detour and the public outcry that christened the Route de la Révolte.
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.