“An abbey’s imprint lingers,” breathed Madame Dubois, adjusting her spectacles as we paused before the Impasse de l’Abbaye. This quiet lane in Meudon whispers tales of a bygone era, a time when Benedictine nuns sought refuge from the ravages of the Lorraine wars. It was the mid-17th century. These women, displaced and seeking solace, initially found shelter on rue Férou, in the bustling heart of what is now the Odéon district. But their journey didn’t end there. In 1659, under the protective wing of Anne of Austria, mother of Louis XIV, they were granted a new sanctuary on rue Cassette. This street, then known as “rue Casset,” nestled within Saint-Germain-des-Prés, became the site of their new monastery. The Monastery of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This holy ground extended all the way to rue du Cherche-Midi and rue de Vaugirard. Now, centuries later, the Impasse de l’Abbaye stands as a quiet testament to their presence, a hidden echo of their devotion.
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.