Hidden behind the bustling streets of the Marais lies Passage de la Cerisaie. A narrow passage it once was part of the Hotel Saint-Paul’s gardens. Cherry trees blossomed there. The passage took its name from this orchard. Rue Neuve de la Cerisaie and Rue Serisay were earlier names. This charming passage has witnessed centuries of Parisian history.
Imagine the 16th century. The Hotel de Zamet stood proudly. A wealthy Italian financier Sebastian Zamet built it. Marie de Medici herself spent fifteen days there. She held audiences in this very spot. Henri IV often assembled his council within these walls. This is where the fateful collation was served to Gabrielle d’Estrees. A tragic end to her life. The Hotel passed to the Constable of Lesdiguières.
Later the hotel was restored. It hosted a most illustrious guest Peter the Great. In 1717 he visited young King Louis XV there. To avoid the awkwardness of bowing Peter famously carried the King in his arms. The gardens shrunk. A portion was sold. The street was extended. The Hotel was rebuilt smaller.
The passage has seen other notable residents. Madame de Vandeuil lived at number 12. She survived the Terror. Number 8 holds fragments of the Bastille’s stonework. They survived the fire. The Governor of the Bastille once lived at number 6.
Nearby at number 22 stands what remains of Philibert Delorme’s house. The renowned architect. He built the Tuileries Palace. He connected his house to his neighbors with underground passages. Secrets and escape routes. Number 31 held a curious feature. A trapdoor. It brought up a fully served dinner. A mysterious feature it is.
Number 32 held a darker story. The goldsmith Cardillac lived here. He robbed his customers. His crimes inspired a play at the Ambigu Theatre. The Visitandines convent occupied part of the building. They expanded their convent. They acquired property. The passage’s history is a rich tapestry. Woven with royalty intrigue and crime. A walk through Passage de la Cerisaie is a journey through time. A captivating glimpse into Paris’s vibrant past.