Is this peaceful street named after the notorious Parc des Buttes-Chaumont? You might be surprised to learn that Villa des Buttes-Chaumont, this tranquil oasis, draws its name from the nearby Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. The park itself has a rich and layered history. Before its transformation into a scenic escape, the land was known as Chauve-mont, meaning “bare hill.” This bleak name hints at its former state. For centuries, it served as the site of the Gibbet of Montfaucon, the primary gallows for the Kings of France. Imagine the grim spectacle of countless bodies displayed as a warning to Parisians. However, by 1992, this street, once temporarily named “Voie CL/19,” adopted the name Villa des Buttes-Chaumont. Today, it stands as a tranquil testament to the park’s enduring legacy, a peaceful street echoing the park’s transformation from a place of darkness to one of beauty and tranquility.
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.