The T3B light rail stops nearby at 615 AM. That’s how early some people start their day near Rue du Colonel Moll.
Rue du Colonel Moll a quiet street in the 17th arrondissement of Paris holds a fascinating history. It’s named after Henri Moll an officer who died in battle. The street itself is surprisingly short. It runs between Rue des Acacias and Rue Saint-Ferdinand.
Originally two separate parts Rue du Colonel Moll wasn’t always connected. One section opened in 1904 the other in 1911. They don’t quite align perfectly showing their separate beginnings. Before it was Rue du Colonel Moll the lower part was known as Square Saint-Ferdinand. This area was once home to a large depot for the Compagnie parisienne de voitures l’Urbaine. Imagine the hustle and bustle of horse-drawn carriages. Their yellow-painted carriages were a distinctive sight. The depot employed many people and hundreds of horses. The company’s later bankruptcy and liquidation left this space ripe for development.
Many of the buildings on Rue du Colonel Moll date from the early 20th century. Some bear the dates of construction like 1910 1911 1912 and 1913. The architecture is remarkably uniform. Number 1 features sculptures by Paul Le Bègue. Number 2 is the birthplace of a famous doctor Jean Bernard. Numbers 3 5 and 6 were designed by Henri Preslier. Buildings 14 and 21 are seven-story stone buildings. Number 16 houses a public school.
Today Rue du Colonel Moll is partly pedestrianized. It offers a tranquil escape from the Parisian bustle. A peaceful setting in the heart of a busy city. This short street tells the story of Parisian transformation. The street whispers tales of the past reminding us of its former life as a hub of transportation and its later quiet residential role. Rue du Colonel Moll is a hidden gem. It is a place of intriguing history. It invites discovery.