Once a rubbish dump. It seems an unlikely start for the area around the Sentier des Grimettes. This area has transformed over centuries. Today the Sentier des Grimettes offers a slice of Parisian life. It blends history with modern trends.
The Sentier des Grimettes is located in the 2nd arrondissement. This area is known for its dynamic atmosphere. It is bordered by Rue Montmartre. Boulevard de Sébastopol marks its eastern edge. Boulevards Poissonnière and Bonne Nouvelle define its northern boundary. Rue Réaumur lies to the south.
Imagine Paris during the Hundred Years War. City walls arose and a hamlet grew outside the Saint-Denis gate. This hamlet became Villeneuve sur Gravois. It means the New City on Gravel. Why gravel? Because of a unique geographical feature.
Residents threw waste against the old city wall. Over time this created a hill of garbage. It reached 10 meters high. Amazingly a windmill was built on top. Trails led to this unusual landmark. These trails might have given the Sentier des Grimettes its name. The French word for trail is sentier.
However there is another theory. It suggests the name comes from a walk around the city walls. In 1591 the garbage hill was destroyed. King Henri IV might have used it to attack the city.
The area was known for a Court of Miracles in the 17th century. This was a fortified slum. It housed beggars and criminals. They had their own king and laws. They defied authorities by refusing to pay taxes. Beggars pretended to be sick to gain sympathy. Thieves had to pass exams. Louis XIV sent his police to destroy this place.
The destruction was good news for Parisians. It gave the nearby metro station its name Bonne Nouvelle. Craftsmen settled in the area. Later ready-to-wear manufacturers arrived. The Sentier became a clothing district. Immigrants from various countries arrived. Today the area has diversified. It hosts data centers and startups. It is now nicknamed Silicone Sentier.
You can observe workers in the streets. Many boutiques are for wholesale trade only. Businessmen speak loudly on the phone. Fashion designers dress like artists. On Saturdays many stores are closed. Jewish owners observe the Shabbat. Monday is the busiest day.
While wandering around Sentier des Grimettes. You might see the church Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle. The Rex cinema is also nearby. This cinema opened in 1932. It has retained its original decoration.
Don’t miss the vegetalized wall. It improves air quality and provides thermal protection. Mozart once stayed in the Rue du Sentier. The Passage du Caire is the oldest covered passage in Paris. It has Egyptian themed statues. Rue des Degrés is the smallest street in Paris. The Porte Saint-Denis is a monumental arch. It celebrates King Louis XIV.
Today the Sentier des Grimettes blends history with modern life. It is a vibrant area worth exploring.