Avenue de la Porte du Pré Saint-Gervais

Tucked away in the 19th arrondissement, Avenue de la Porte du Pré Saint-Gervais whispers tales of a forgotten Paris. This avenue, a mere 395 meters long, stands as a gateway to the past. Avenue de la Porte du Pré Saint-Gervais isn’t just a street. It’s a thread in the tapestry of Parisian history, woven from remnants of an ancient gateway. This avenue leads us to the site of the former Porte du Pré-Saint-Gervais, a gate within the Thiers wall that once encircled Paris. The very name, Avenue de la Porte du Pré Saint-Gervais, echoes this history. It translates to “Avenue of the Gate of the Pré Saint-Gervais.” This tells us that it was built, at least in part, where the old gate stood. Created in 1931, Avenue de la Porte du Pré Saint-Gervais carries the imprint of time. The section between Boulevard Sérurier and the old fortifications follows the path of the Poterne des Prés-Saint-Gervais. This postern gate was nestled alongside Bastion 20 of the Thiers wall. The extension of the avenue beyond the fortifications was once part of Pré-Saint-Gervais itself. It was annexed by the city of Paris in 1930. Today, as you walk along Avenue de la Porte du Pré Saint-Gervais, you’ll find yourself flanked by the modern and the historical. To the east stands the Robert-Debré Hospital, a beacon of contemporary healthcare. To the west, a tranquil public garden guides you towards Boulevard d’Algérie. At the intersection with Boulevard Sérurier, the Église de Marie-Médiatrice-de-Toutes-les-Grâces adds a touch of spiritual grace to the scene. And at the corner of Avenue de la Porte du Pré Saint-Gervais and Rue Alexander-Fleming, the old Chapelle Saint-Gervais-Saint-Protais du Pré-Saint-Gervais stands as a testament to the area’s rich past. Avenue de la Porte du Pré Saint-Gervais is more than just a thoroughfare. It’s a living testament to the evolution of Paris, a place where the echoes of history intertwine with the pulse of modern life.