“A street named after a mechanic?” you ask, tilting your head. Few have heard of Avenue Georges Sachet, tucked discreetly in the heart of the 14th arrondissement. Just over 80 meters long, it may seem unremarkable, but its history is intertwined with tragedy.
It was in 1902, when a dirigible called the Pax, with its inventor the Brazilian Augusto Severo and his mechanic Georges Sachet on board, took flight. Sadly, just minutes later, disaster struck. The Pax caught fire. The inferno sent the airship hurtling downwards, crashing onto a Parisian avenue, killing both men instantly. The street that now sits near the crash site bears the name of the heroic mechanic, Georges Sachet. A poignant reminder in the bustling city of Paris of a tragic accident and a brave man who lost his life pursuing progress.