Isn’t it intriguing how a simple passage can hold so much history? We are standing at the Passage du Retrait. This small passage is located in Paris’s 20th arrondissement. The Passage du Retrait begins at 34 Rue du Retrait. It ends at 295 Rue des Pyrénées.
The Passage du Retrait is only 83 meters long. It is 1.2 meters wide. That’s not very wide at all. The passage was named in 1877. Before that, it was called Impasse Sainte-Marie. The name “Retrait” comes from a former vineyard. This vineyard was called Clos de Ratrait. It stretched across the southern slopes of the Ménilmontant hillside.
Over time, the name changed. Ratrait became Retrait. The official name became Passage du Retrait. The word “retrait” has a legal meaning. It refers to a repurchase. This area was likely subject to such an act in the past.
The Passage du Retrait was once a private road. It became a public road later on. This passage offers a glimpse into the past. Imagine this area covered in vineyards. People worked hard tending to the vines.
The Rue du Retrait is nearby. It also gets its name from the old vineyard. The street is crossed by the former stream of Ménilmontant. Today, this stream is a canal. It is now part of the Grand Égout.
The Rue du Retrait has many murals. These murals add color to the urban landscape. The Association Le Ratrait has helped create street art here since 2001. They have also worked to add plants. The city made it the first green street in the 20th arrondissement.
The nearby Théâtre de Ménilmontant once showcased popular arts. Although it closed in 2018, its colorful facade still stands.
So, as you walk through the Passage du Retrait. Think about the history beneath your feet. From vineyards to a quiet passage. This little path has seen many changes. It connects us to the past.