Cité de Londres

Have you ever wondered what a passage named “Cit\u00e9 de Londres” is doing in the heart of Paris? Well, here you have it: A hidden gem tucked away between the bustling Rue Saint-Lazare and Rue de Londres. The Cit\u00e9 de Londres, a pedestrian passage in the 9th arrondissement, is a narrow, cobblestoned pathway of just 115 meters long. Originally known as “Passage de Londres,” it was built in 1840 by M. Tessier, a local landowner. The name “Cit\u00e9 de Londres” reflects the area’s connection to London, as many streets in the area were named after European capitals during the 19th-century urban renewal. It was meant to be a shortcut, leading to a major thoroughfare in Paris, bustling with activity, where shopkeepers and artisans once lived and worked. Imagine, this small alley was once the place where people would meet, chat, and share news. Nowadays, the passage is known as a place for students, leading to the prestigious ISCOM, a communication school, which can sometimes be seen emerging from the depths of the passage, like a cheerful, buzzing hive of activity. The name “Cit\u00e9 de Londres” might be a nod to a different continent but it’s now a part of the fabric of Parisian life, a reminder of a time when the city was constantly evolving, taking inspiration from the world around it. Today, you can walk down its length, and feel a sense of the time-honoured history while also enjoying the vibrant energy of a city still in motion.