“Pigalle’s secret garden”. That’s the nickname some locals whisper about Villa des Platanes.
Rue des Platanes isn’t just a street. It is an experience. This isn’t your typical Parisian street full of hustle and bustle. Rue des Platanes offers a peek into a world of hidden beauty. The Villa des Platanes is a real estate complex from the late 19th century. It is located at 58 Boulevard de Clichy. It is hidden behind a wrought iron gate.
Let’s step back in time to 1896. The architect Deloeuvre designed this remarkable complex. He included residential buildings and a green space. This green space leads to rue Robert Planquette. Imagine stumbling upon this quietness in the middle of the wild parties of Montmartre.
The contrast is striking. Red bricks, white moldings, and black chiseled balustrades create a unique facade on Rue des Platanes. Semi-circular bow windows add to its charm. Peek through the wrought iron gates. You’ll see a Renaissance-inspired building. A double horseshoe staircase is topped by torch-bearing statues.
Beyond this showcase lies a large housing complex. It has a unique and pleasant charm. A splendid green space borders it. Nearly 400 lucky people live here today. They preserve their paradise. Strict rules must be respected.
The land where Villa des Platanes stands was once the “Lucas enclosure”. Since 1830, it housed the Villa des Tilleuls. These were country houses for wealthy bourgeois.
During the romantic era, Villa des Platanes was known as “California”. Marie Duplessis lived here. She was the mistress of writer Alexander Dumas fils. She inspired the character of the Lady of the Camellias.
Villa des Platanes also holds treasures from the Paris Commune. Montmartre was a resistant sector during the “bloody week”. The Villa des Tilleuls was an epicenter of the conflict. An anonymous artist decorated the buildings with bas-reliefs. They depict events of the period.
So next time you find yourself near Boulevard de Clichy, take a detour to Rue des Platanes. Look for number 58. Peer through the gates. Imagine the stories within those walls. The Villa des Platanes awaits.