The Rue Cretet is a rather unremarkable street in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. It’s a short, narrow street that runs for just 58 meters. That’s a little more than half the length of a football field. And yet this little street is named after a very important figure in French history. Emmanuel Cretet was a minister of the Interior under Napoleon Bonaparte. He was a key player in the Napoleonic Wars and a staunch supporter of the Emperor. He’s even credited with helping to develop the French gendarmerie, the mounted police force you see all over France today. The Rue Cretet is a reminder that even the smallest of streets in Paris can be connected to big history. You’re standing in the heart of Paris, where history unfolds at every corner.
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.