Avenue de la Mare

“A simple path in 1672.” The tour guide’s voice echoed slightly in the bustling Parisian street. “That’s how Avenue de la Mare began. Back then, it was known as ‘Ruelle des Nonnains,’ the ‘Lane of the Nuns.'” Avenue de la Mare, a street that once meandered past a humble pond formed by the waters of Belleville, now pulsed with the life of the 20th arrondissement. It stretched before you, a testament to time’s passage, its character shaped by centuries of Parisian history. This avenue, once a modest path, holds a unique place in the city’s tapestry. It’s bisected by the Petite Ceinture, the abandoned railway line that once encircled Paris. Cross the metal footbridge, and you’ll find yourself stepping from one section of the avenue to the other, a journey over a ghost of Paris’s industrial past. Look for number 9 Avenue de la Mare. It’s there, now overshadowed by a modern building, that the Ménilmontant train station once stood, a bustling hub for travelers on the Petite Ceinture. Further down, at number 38, lies a hidden gem: the Regard de la Roquette. This ancient water reservoir, tucked away behind a gate, offers a glimpse into the city’s past, a testament to the ingenuity of Paris’s water management system. Avenue de la Mare, a street named for a humble pond, is a journey through time. It reflects the evolution of Paris, from a city of quiet lanes and religious orders to a bustling metropolis where history whispers from every corner.