“Did Richelieu enjoy a good croissant?” I ask, a mischievous glint in my eye as we stand before Allée Richelieu in Sevran. It’s a far cry from the bustling Rue de Richelieu in Paris, named for the Cardinal himself. Our Allée Richelieu, tucked away in Sevran, may not boast the same grandeur, but it holds its own quiet charm. The Parisian Rue de Richelieu is a fascinating place. It stretches nearly a kilometer, from the Comédie-Française to the Boulevard des Italiens. Imagine strolling down this street in the 19th century, before Haussmann’s grand boulevards. Rue de Richelieu was the heart of Parisian fashion. Today, you’ll find coin dealers and currency changers, a nod to its proximity to the Paris Bourse. The street’s namesake, Cardinal Richelieu, Louis XIII’s chief minister, left his mark on Paris. The Palais-Royal, his grand residence, still stands on Rue de Richelieu. So does the Bibliothèque nationale de France, Site Richelieu, a testament to the Cardinal’s influence. And let’s not forget the Comédie-Française, whose main hall is named Salle Richelieu. A little-known fact about Rue de Richelieu is its connection to a beloved pastry. In 1839, August Zang, an Austrian artillery officer, opened a Viennese bakery there. He introduced the kipferl, a precursor to the croissant. The French, captivated by its crescent shape, gave it the name we know today. So, while our Allée Richelieu in Sevran may not be the same as its Parisian counterpart, the name conjures up images of history, fashion, and perhaps, the delightful aroma of a freshly baked croissant.
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.