“Did you know that the quest for a harmonious relationship led to a name change for a prominent Parisian plaza?” you might ask, gesturing towards the grand expanse before you. This, my friends, is the Boulevard de la Source, a place where history, art, and diplomacy intertwine. The boulevard wasn’t always known by this name. It was initially christened Place de Bitche, honoring a town that bravely resisted Prussian forces during the Franco-Prussian War. However, a diplomatic dilemma arose when the American ambassador, Levi Morton, decided to establish his residence and offices nearby. The phonetic similarity of “Bitche” to a rather indelicate English word raised concerns within the American State Department. Fearing strained relations, the governing official of the Seine region proposed a change. The plaza was renamed “United States Plaza,” a gesture of goodwill that solidified the bond between the two nations. Today, Boulevard de la Source stands as a testament to the power of diplomacy and a reminder that even in the heart of Paris, echoes of international relations resonate through the ages.
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.