“B\u00e9arnais de Paris” friends of B\u00e9arn does this dear country tug at your heartstrings? Today we will explore All\u00e9e du B\u00e9arn in Paris. No need for a quick trip to Pau. You can find the spirit of B\u00e9arn right here in Paris or the \u00cele-de-France.
Let’s embark on a B\u00e9arnaise stroll through Paris. We will discover monuments and toponymy that whisper tales of this historic region.
Rue de B\u00e9arn resides in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. It lies nestled in the Marais district. Established in 1646 it pays homage to Henri IV. He was King of France and a native of the B\u00e9arn region.
The street arose from the vast Tournelles estate development. This followed the demolition of the former Palais des Tournelles. Rue de B\u00e9arn boasts private mansions. It retains the Marais’ elegant atmosphere. The street blends history with classical architecture. Close to Place des Vosges it stands as a testament to the neighborhood’s aristocratic and bourgeois heritage.
You can find Le Marais workshops close to the iconic Place des Vosges. It is known for its unique architecture and historical significance.
Rue de B\u00e9arn stretches 181 meters. It begins at Place des Vosges and ends at Rue Saint-Gilles. The Chemin Vert metro station serves this site.
The street carries its name in honor of Henri IV. He founded Place Royale the future Place des Vosges. Henri IV was born in Pau. Pau was the capital of the sovereign vicomté of B\u00e9arn.
The street emerged in 1607 between Place des Vosges and Rue des Minimes. It was laid out on land belonging to Louis Gallucio de L’Hospital. He was the lord of Vitry. This property once belonged to the park of the Hôtel des Tournelles. Therefore this new path was first christened “Rue du Parc-Royal” or “du Parc-des-Tournelles”. It was also known as “Rue du Pavillon-du-Roi”. From 1650 it became “Rue de la Chauss\u00e9e-des-Minimes”. This referenced the convent of the Minimes of Place Royale. In 1792 it was renamed “Rue des F\u00e9d\u00e9r\u00e9s”. Then it was called “Nationale”. Later it reclaimed its name of “Rue de la Chauss\u00e9e-des-Minimes”.
In 1805 the street was extended to Rue Saint-Gilles. This extension replaced the old church of the Minimes convent. Its cloister and library stood near the Minimes gendarmerie barracks. Some exterior elements of the barracks and a 17th-century staircase come from this convent. It received its current name in 1867.
In August 1896 road works on the site once occupied by the convent’s chapel unearthed two lead coffins. These dated back to 1630 and were moved to the Carnavalet museum.
At number 2 stands the former Hôtel d’Espinoy and Pavillon de la Reine. Number 3 features an old post for an electric line from the late 19th century. Number 10 housed a “house of relief” in 1887. In 1895 it provided 783 consultations to 134 tuberculosis patients.
Number 12 is the former Minimes gendarmerie barracks. The city of Paris acquired it in 1823. It stood on the site of the Minimes convent and its church. The church was partially destroyed in 1798 according to some sources. In 1904 a statue of the Virgin protected by a fence was noted on one of its walls. It was in perfect condition. The barracks were rebuilt in the 1910s. This led to the demolition of a 17th-century cloister. Its three sides formed the central courtyard. The right wing of the old Minimes church was also demolished. In 2020 work was completed to transform the barracks into a 70-unit social housing complex. The former gendarmerie parking lot became a public garden. It is now the Arnaud-Beltrame garden.
All\u00e9e du B\u00e9arn whispers tales of kings revolutionaries and transformations. It is a place where history and Parisian charm intertwine. Take a moment to soak in the ambiance. Let the echoes of the past resonate as you continue your journey through the Marais.