“A prince? Right here on Rue Paul Fort?” you ask, skeptically eyeing the ordinary Parisian street. Yes, indeed! While Rue Paul Fort itself is a relatively recent addition to the city, named in 1970, it honors a true “Prince of Poets,” Paul Fort. This title, bestowed upon him by none other than the esteemed poet Paul Verlaine, speaks volumes about Fort’s impact on the French literary scene. Born in 1872, Fort’s life unfolded against the backdrop of a burgeoning artistic revolution. He wasn’t just a bystander; he was a catalyst. As a young man at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand, he audaciously founded the Théâtre d’Art in 1890, a platform that boldly showcased emerging talents like Verlaine, Gauguin, and Maeterlinck. Fort’s most celebrated work, a poignant poem titled “La Ronde,” transcended geographical boundaries with its universal plea for global friendship. While he may rest in the Montlhéry cemetery, his legacy lives on, woven into the very fabric of Paris, a city that continues to inspire poets and dreamers alike.
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.