Rue Botzaris

Tucked away in the vibrant 19th arrondissement of Paris, Rue Botzaris stretches before us, a street that echoes with the legacy of a Greek hero. You might not guess it from its unassuming charm, but Rue Botzaris holds a fascinating tale. This street, my friends, takes its name from Markos Botzaris, a valiant figure in the Greek War of Independence. His courage resonated far beyond the borders of Greece, reaching the heart of Paris and becoming immortalized in this very street name in 1880. But Rue Botzaris has more to tell than just heroic tales. The street, originally known as “Rue de la Vera-Cruz”, stretches along the side of the Buttes-Chaumont park – a green oasis built on the site of former quarries. Imagine, beneath our feet lies a network of tunnels, remnants of Paris’s industrial past. During World War I, on a fateful day in 1918, even this tranquil corner of Paris felt the impact of war. An explosion from a German long-range artillery gun, known as Big Bertha, shook the street. This event, a chilling reminder of the conflict, is still remembered today. As we stroll down Rue Botzaris, take a moment to appreciate the echoes of history. From Greek heroism to industrial heritage and wartime scars, this street embodies the multifaceted story of Paris.