“Wild boars? Near Paris?” our friend scoffed, “Surely you’re mistaken!”. Avenue des Sangliers, though, hints at this surprising truth. Imagine, right here in Chelles, this street whispers of a time when wild boars roamed much closer to the bustling heart of Paris. While Avenue des Sangliers itself may not have witnessed boar stampedes, its very name speaks to a fascinating chapter in the region’s history. Newspaper articles from as recent as 2004 reveal growing concerns about boars venturing out of the forests and into the Parisian suburbs. Apparently, the storm of 1999, which devastated parts of the forests, inadvertently created safe havens for these creatures. This led to a population boom and increasingly frequent encounters with humans. While Avenue des Sangliers enjoys its peaceful existence today, its name serves as a reminder of the wildness that once thrived much closer than we might think.
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.