“Once upon a time, in the 20th arrondissement, there was a secret.” That secret is Impasse de l’Ermitage. It is a lane that begins at 113, Rue de Ménilmontant. The Impasse de l’Ermitage ends as a dead end.
The Impasse de l’Ermitage is more than just a street. It’s a journey back in time. It whispers tales of old Paris. This unique pathway is located in Paris.
The first part of Impasse de l’Ermitage is wide. It leads to a small almost circular square. A second path continues from there. This path is shady and narrow. It ends in a cul-de-sac.
Impasse de l’Ermitage is lined with townhouses. Some look abandoned. Yet, they are decorated with statues and paintings. Graffiti adds a modern touch to the old walls.
The name “Ermitage” comes from its proximity to Rue de l’Ermitage. It was formerly known as “Way D/20”. A municipal decree gave it its current name.
Impasse de l’Ermitage offers glimpses into a Paris that is disappearing. In 1860, Belleville, Ménilmontant, and Charonne were annexed by Paris. At that time, Belleville was a large town. Ménilmontant was a village. Charonne was a small rural hamlet.
Industrialization transformed the landscape after 1825. Farms and vineyards gave way to workshops and factories. Villas and apartment buildings stood alongside warehouses.
The construction rules were flexible in the 19th century. The houses in Impasse de l’Ermitage were not to exceed three meters in height. Factories and steam engines were prohibited. This preserved its unique character.
In 1877, a decree united Impasse de l’Ermitage with part of the old Passage de l’Est. A theater and several artist studios flourished here. Painter Léon Gaudeaux lived here from 1893 to 1947.
Today, Impasse de l’Ermitage retains its village charm. It is a reminder of a bygone era. It is celebrated in the photographs of Willy Ronis. This passage is a relic of early 20th-century Paris.
The charm of Impasse de l’Ermitage is fragile. Real estate developers have taken notice. The association “Viva Villa de Villa l’Ermitage” works to preserve it. It ensures that this special place endures.
As you stand here in Impasse de l’Ermitage, feel its history. See its art and sense its tranquility. This impasse is a hidden treasure of Paris.