“The year is 1260.” King Louis IX, having just returned from the Seventh Crusade, was appalled. The Prison de la PrÉvôtÉ, a symbol of justice in Paris, had become a den of corruption. The prison, originally under the purview of a single, appointed Provost, had been divided. One official held judicial power, the other, financial. Both positions were auctioned off to the highest bidder, leading to rampant abuse. Louis, a man of deep faith and justice, vowed to rectify this. He abolished the venality of the office, stripping away the financial incentive that bred such corruption. He sought out an individual known for his integrity and unwavering commitment to justice: Étienne Boileau. Boileau, a man of the people, was tasked with restoring order to the chaotic Prison de la PrÉvôtÉ. This marked a turning point for the prison. No longer would it be a place of exploitation and despair. The Prison de la PrÉvôtÉ, under Boileau’s watchful eye, began to function as it was intended: a place where justice, not greed, prevailed.
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.