The Avenue de l’École de Joinville is a rather unassuming street situated in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. This is a far cry from the bustling boulevards around the Seine, but the quiet lane holds a fascinating historical significance. The avenue is named after the École de Joinville, a military school that was once located in the Bois de Vincennes, a large forest on the eastern edge of the city. The school was founded in 1844 by Prince Louis-Philippe of Joinville, a son of King Louis-Philippe. It was a training ground for future officers of the French army. The school moved to a new location in Joinville-le-Pont in 1908, but its legacy lives on in the name of the avenue. The avenue is also home to another historical structure, the Redoute de Gravelle. This is a fortified outpost near the old military school, which was used for defending Paris during the Franco-Prussian War. The redoute is now a museum, however the area surrounding it is still heavily guarded, which is why avenue is known primarily for being the location to Paris’ main detention centre, the Centre de Rétention Administrative.
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.