“You see that bustling avenue in front of you?” It’s Boulevard Paul-Émile Victor, named for the famous French polar explorer, writer, and environmentalist, Paul-Émile Victor. Now, some of you may have heard of the iconic explorer, but did you know that this street was originally called Boulevard de Courbevoie? It was actually renamed back in 1995 after a minister proposed the change. Why? The connection between this vibrant boulevard and this man of the extreme Arctic is the one that he helped create. See, this street was a place where Paul-Émile Victor would walk to discuss his many expeditions. He would walk this street during his trips between the Arctic and the French Ministry to discuss funding for polar research. If you envision the icy winds and vast landscapes of the Arctic and think of this street, a more diverse image comes to mind. It’s a testament to a man who traversed the coldest regions of the world and then walked this same street. Boulevard Paul-Émile Victor, it’s a street of exploration, a street that inspires thought, and a street where you can almost hear the crunching of snow and the howling of arctic winds. And, believe me, the winds in this bustling avenue do feel a bit like they could be an Arctic chill.
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.