Don’t you wish streets could tell stories? Just like the pages of a book, they hold secrets, memories and whispers of the past. Rue Christine de Pisan, a charming little street nestled in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, is one such street that has an intriguing tale to tell. This short, unassuming street was named after Christine de Pisan, a remarkable woman who was not only a writer but also a powerful advocate for women’s rights in the 14th and 15th centuries. Christine de Pisan was born in Venice, Italy, in 1364. She married a French notary, Etienne du Castel and moved to France, but after his death, she became the first woman in Europe to earn a living by writing.
Imagine her writing a book, standing right here, surrounded by the bustling city of Paris, a place of great intellectual and cultural activity. Christine de Pisan not only wrote poetry, but also historical and political treatises. One of Christine’s most famous works is “Le Livre de la Cité des Dames” (The Book of the City of Ladies) published in 1405. In this remarkable book, Christine de Pisan champions the virtues of women by creating an imaginary city of ladies, full of intellectual and royal female figures, which she refers to as “Reason,” “Rectitude,” and “Justice.” Christine de Pisan’s writings are still studied to this day, especially for the way they challenge prevailing gender roles. So, the next time you pass by Rue Christine de Pisan, spare a thought for the remarkable woman who lends her name to this little street.
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.