“Demolished,” the sign reads. It’s a stark word, isn’t it? Here at Impasse de la Redoute, history has been erased. But let’s see if we can piece together some of its past.
Impasse de la Redoute is not directly mentioned in the texts. However, there is a mention of a street with a similar name. It was located at the southern end of Noisy-le-Sec. This area was near the rue de la Redoute and other streets.
The Redoute de Montreuil was a fortification. It sat between the Fort de Noisy and the Redoute de la Boissière. Today, social housing, a car park and sports grounds stand where it once stood.
The name “La Redoute” pops up elsewhere in French history. La Redoute is a well-known French retailer. Joseph Pollet founded it in 1837. It began as a worsted spinning operation in Roubaix. Charles Pollet, Joseph’s son, later built a factory on Rue de Blanchemaille and Rue de La Redoute. He named it Filatures de La Redoute after the street.
La Redoute grew into a major player in apparel and home decor. Its website became a top French e-commerce site. The company expanded to 26 countries. It gained over 10 million active customers.
La Redoute was once part of the Kering Group. In 2014, it was sold to its managers. As of 2024, La Redoute continues to operate in Russia. This is despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Another La Redoute connection exists in Paris. La Redoute Intérieurs has a concept store. It’s located on Rue d’Uzès in the Grands Boulevards district. This store aims to create a homely environment. It offers a unique shopping experience. Customers can explore different room settings. They can also get advice from decoration advisors.
It’s a far cry from fortifications and demolished structures. But the name “Redoute” echoes through different aspects of French history. From military defense to retail giants. From spinning operations to home decor concept stores. The Impasse de la Redoute might be gone, but the echoes of its name linger. They connect to other stories and places across France. It makes you wonder about the stories that are lost forever under the car park and social housing. Perhaps a small piece of the old fortification remains hidden. Perhaps a fragment of a memory.