Hidden in plain sight lies the Passage du Monténégro. A charming Parisian passageway. It’s a secret haven nestled in the 19th arrondissement. Just a short stroll from the bustling Place des Fêtes.
The Passage du Monténégro is more than just a street. It’s a journey through time. It stretches over 150 meters. It connects the Rue de Romainville to the Rue Haxo. Cobblestones pave its gently sloping path. You’ll find quaint houses with gardens lining the way. Small buildings rise two or three stories high. A striking modern dwelling stands out among them. Some buildings boast colorful facades.
This unassuming passage holds a fascinating history. Its name harks back to the former Balkan kingdom. Before 1912 it became the Socialist Republic of Montenegro. Part of the former Yugoslavia. Now an independent republic. Its Parisian namesake possibly connects to Napoleon’s Dalmatian campaign.
The passage’s origins are older than you might think. Records date back to 1845. It likely existed even earlier though. The area was once part of the grounds of the Château de Ménilmontant. This was in the old commune of Belleville. That’s before it became part of Paris in 1860.
The Passage du Monténégro also witnessed history in the making. The final battles of the Paris Commune in 1871 happened nearby. Specifically in the Rue Haxo at the end of the passage. Imagine the echoes of those tumultuous times.
Number 15 holds a special place in the passage’s story. This is where the sculptor Mathurin Moreau lived. He died here in 1912. A recipient of the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1842. He carved the mascaron you see on the building’s facade. It’s a beautiful example of 18th-century architecture.
The cinematic world also found its way here. Some scenes from Jean-Pierre Melville’s classic film “Le Samouraï” were shot nearby. The Passage du Monténégro served as a backdrop for this iconic 1967 movie.
So as you walk the Passage du Monténégro. You’re not just walking a street. You’re walking through layers of history. Art and film. A quiet corner in a vibrant city. A place where history and charm intertwine. A true Parisian gem waiting to be discovered.