Rue d’Arthelon

Slipping beneath the bustling streets of Meudon, the Rue d’Arthelon whispers a forgotten tale. It’s a story of cascading waters, grand gardens, and a hidden waterway that once shaped this landscape. Stand here, at the edge of what was once a vibrant stream, and let me paint you a picture of the Rue d’Arthelon’s past. The Rue d’Arthelon takes its name from the stream that once flowed openly through this valley. It separated the hills of Meudon and Clamart. In the 17th and 18th centuries, this valley held the magnificent gardens of the Château de Meudon, known as the Jardins d’Arthelon. André Le Nôtre, the renowned landscape architect of Louis XIV, designed these elaborate gardens. Imagine cascading waterfalls, sparkling fountains, and tranquil basins gracing the slopes, all fed by the rushing waters of the Arthelon stream. The Rue d’Arthelon wasn’t just a source of beauty. Its waters powered the Moulin des Moulineaux, a mill vital to the local economy. A canal diverted water from the stream, irrigating the orchards of the Chartreux farm and eventually flowing into the Seine. The Rue d’Arthelon, even in its hidden state, connects us to this rich history. But progress has a price. By the 1920s, the once-pristine stream became a problem. Heavy rains caused flooding in the surrounding areas. Residents demanded a solution. Despite plans drawn up in 1911, it wasn’t until the late 1920s that the stream was finally channeled and covered. Today, the Rue d’Arthelon lies beneath our feet. It flows under Avenue Jean-Jaurès and Rue de Paris before joining the Seine in Issy-les-Moulineaux. Although we can no longer see its waters, the Rue d’Arthelon continues to play a vital role, feeding Meudon’s sewer system. There’s a movement to uncover the Rue d’Arthelon, to restore it to its former glory, much like the ongoing projects with the Bièvre and Marivel rivers. Associations like Espaces are working on this, even offering tours that trace the path of the hidden stream. So as you walk along the Rue d’Arthelon, remember the hidden waterway beneath. Remember the cascading waterfalls of the Jardins d’Arthelon and the vital role it played in Meudon’s history. The Rue d’Arthelon is more than just a street; it’s a time capsule, carrying the echoes of Meudon’s vibrant past.