Rue Gozlin

Gazing upon Rue Gozlin today, it’s hard to imagine the bustling marketplace and notorious prison that once stood here. Rue Gozlin, named after the 9th-century abbot of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Gozlin, wasn’t always called that. Originally known as Rue Sainte-Marguerite, it bore the name of Saint Marguerite of Antioch. This was a nod to the Sainte-Marguerite bell tower, south of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Abbey. The street followed the southern wall of the abbey’s enclosure. At its western end was the vanished Carrefour Saint-Benoît. To the east lay Place Sainte-Marguerite, later renamed Place Gozlin. This square was the site of the Abbaye prison and bustling marketplace. Imagine the activity here in the 17th century. The prison, built in 1631, loomed large. It stood on the site of the abbey’s pillory, a stark reminder of justice in those times. The street itself had a complicated history. Appearing in records as early as 1312 as “Rue Madame-la-Valence”, it was later filled in to create a moat around the abbey. However, in 1635, an agreement allowed for the moat to be filled and the street to be re-established. This time it was four toises wide and bore the name Rue Sainte-Marguerite. The name Rue Gozlin, along with the square, was officially adopted in 1864. This honored the bishop who defended Paris against Viking invaders in 886. He died during the siege, a true protector of the city. But change was inevitable for Rue Gozlin. The construction of Boulevard Saint-Germain dramatically altered the landscape. The Place Gozlin was slated for demolition in 1866 to make way for the boulevard. By 1877, the entire area had been transformed. The once vibrant marketplace and imposing prison vanished, absorbed by the grand boulevard. Rue Gozlin itself was significantly shortened, shrinking from 180 meters to a mere 60. Today, as we stand on what remains of Rue Gozlin, we can only imagine the ghosts of its vibrant past. The echoes of market vendors, the somber presence of the prison, and the bravery of Bishop Gozlin defending the city against invaders.