“Lost in the stars?” a woman chuckled, adjusting her telescope on Rue des Pléiades. “No, madame, I’m searching for inspiration!” Rue des Pléiades may not house celestial bodies, but it echoes a constellation of literary brilliance. Our story begins in 16th-century France. A group of seven poets, known as La Pléiade, sought to elevate the French language. Their leader, Pierre de Ronsard, along with Joachim du Bellay and five others, aimed to make French a rival to the classical languages of literature. Du Bellay, in his 1549 manifesto, “Défense et illustration de la langue françoyse,” championed borrowing from classical and Italian Renaissance works. They embraced sonnets, odes, and epics, breathing new life into French verse. Interestingly, Rue des Pléiades, though geographically distant from the heart of Paris, shares this spirit of elevation. La Pléiade revived the alexandrine, a 12-syllable verse form. This became the dominant style of the French Renaissance. Rue des Pléiades, while not directly linked to this literary movement, nonetheless carries its name. This serves as a quiet reminder of a pivotal moment in French literary history. The Pléiade’s influence, though sometimes criticized for its Latinization of French, is undeniable. They laid the groundwork for future generations of French poets. So, as you stroll down Rue des Pléiades, remember the seven stars who sought to illuminate the French language. Their legacy continues to shine brightly in the world of literature.
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.