“Paris’s best-kept secret,” a local once called Rue des Nymphes. This street holds more than just quaint charm. Rue des Nymphes whispers tales of Paris’s hidden history.
If you seek the extraordinary, you’ve found the right place. Many unusual stories have helped make Paris a unique city. Legends are deeply rooted in French culture. They were born and amplified in Paris.
Let’s consider how Paris addresses buildings relative to the Seine. If a street is perpendicular or oblique to the Seine, numbering starts closest to the river. For streets parallel to the river, numbers increase with the Seine’s flow. This system dates back to a decree from February 4, 1805.
Consider the story of Rue de Rennes. It uniquely starts with the number 41. Or how about Rue du Pelican? Its original name was Rue du Poil au Con. It was a street where prostitution was legal under Louis IX.
Speaking of unique streets, there’s also the story of the shortest street in Paris. That’s Rue des Degrés in the 2nd arrondissement. It is only 5.75 meters long and 3.30 meters wide. It’s essentially a staircase of 14 steps. It connects Rue de Cléry to Rue Beauregard.
The story of the “Chandail” is worth a listen. When Les Halles was the “belly of Paris,” Breton farmers sold vegetables. They wore thick knitted sweaters made by their wives. These sweaters became so popular that they were named “Chandail.” That’s an abbreviation of “marchand d’ail” or garlic seller.
Have you heard about the “policiers poulets”? During the Paris Commune of 1871, police buildings burned. Jules Ferry, then Mayor of Paris, offered the Cité barracks as headquarters. This barracks stood on the old poultry market. Hence, the police earned the nickname “poulets” or chickens.
Rue des Nymphes, like Paris itself, is full of surprises. Each corner holds a story. It’s a place where history and culture intertwine. The street invites you to discover the unusual and fascinating. It offers a unique perspective on the city. So walk slowly. Listen carefully. The stories of Rue des Nymphes await you.