“A street named after a landowner, how dull!” someone in the group might think. But don’t let the origin of its name fool you! Rue Nicolet, tucked away in the 18th arrondissement, holds secrets whispered through the ages. Rue Nicolet wasn’t always a part of bustling Paris. This little street was born in the heart of the “village Clignancourt.” In 1863, along with the rest of the village, it became a Parisian. If these walls could talk, they’d spin a tale of two poets, Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud. Picture this: 1871, a young Rimbaud, fresh off the train from Charleville, arrives at number 14. He’s greeted, not by his friend Verlaine, but by his surprised in-laws. Imagine their faces! Rimbaud, a whirlwind of rebellious energy in his mismatched clothes, spent three weeks here. This seemingly ordinary street became the backdrop for the beginning of their passionate and tumultuous relationship. So, as you wander down Rue Nicolet, let the echoes of their verses and the spirit of their youth inspire you. You never know what literary ghosts might brush past you on this charming Parisian 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.