Rue de la Grange aux Belles

Once a humble farm known as Grange aux Pelles, Rue de la Grange aux Belles whispers tales of transformation. Rue de la Grange aux Belles, located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, has seen its fair share of history. This street, stretching from Quai de Jemmapes to Place du Colonel Fabien, began as a simple path near the city’s moats. It evolved from Rue de l’Hôpital Saint-Louis to its current name, Rue de la Grange aux Belles. The name’s origin is intriguing. “Pelles” might refer to a unit of deadwood or to the shovels used around the moats near the Sainte-Opportune farm in the 12th or 14th century. Over time, “Pelles” morphed into “Belles,” perhaps hinting at the farm’s later incarnation as a popular inn. Some even suggest “Belles” was simply the family name of the landowners. Rue de la Grange aux Belles housed a cemetery for foreign Protestants. The infamous gibet of Montfaucon, used for executions, was located nearby. Even the renowned anatomist Andreas Vesalius, a resident of the street, procured bodies for his studies here. The echoes of revolution resonate on Rue de la Grange aux Belles. In 1917, textile workers, known as “midinettes,” staged a successful strike for better wages and a shorter workweek. Later, in 1924, violent clashes erupted between libertarians and communists at the CGTU headquarters at number 33. Today, number 33 still stands as a hub for labor unions. Rue de la Grange aux Belles also nurtured artistic souls. The engraver Antoine François Gelée resided at number 4. Painter Léon Cogniet had a large studio at number 9, immortalized in paintings by his sister, Marie-Amélie Cogniet. Number 9 also witnessed the birth of painter Georges Merle. Rue de la Grange aux Belles is more than just a street. It’s a testament to the ever-changing tapestry of Paris. It’s a place where whispers of the past mingle with the vibrant energy of the present.