Route de Fleury

“Did he know his name would grace this street?” Our tour group pauses at Route de Fleury, a short but historically rich street in the heart of Paris. Don’t let its size fool you! This street holds a captivating past. Named after a Mr. Fleury who once owned land here, Route de Fleury came alive in 1842. Imagine bustling Parisian life, horse-drawn carriages, and charming buildings! However, time took its toll, and by the 20th century, the buildings fell into disrepair. The city decided to demolish them in the 2000s, making way for modern structures with sleek glass facades. One can’t help but wonder about the stories those old walls could tell. Interestingly, this area was known for its ‘hôtels de passe’, establishments with a rather scandalous reputation. One such place, the ‘Royal Hôtel’, stood at the corner of Route de Fleury and Boulevard de la Chapelle. This hotel played a unique role during World War II, serving as a designated space for soldiers and officers of the occupying forces. Today, Route de Fleury stands as a testament to Paris’s ever-evolving landscape, a blend of old and new, where history whispers through the modern architecture. A perfect example of how Paris, while changing, never truly forgets its past.