Could this unassuming street have once been a popular Parisian escape? You might be surprised to learn that Rue de la Baignade, meaning “Bathing Street,” was once home to a bustling riverside resort. Imagine a time when Parisians, seeking respite from the city heat, flocked to this very spot. Rue de la Baignade, at the border of Vitry and Ivry, marked the entrance to this beloved getaway known as Port-à-l’Anglais. This wasn’t always its name, though. Originally, the street was called Rue de la Pompe, referencing the nearby infiltration basins. It was around the 1860s, when the town of Vitry-sur-Seine opened a public bathing area here, that the name changed, reflecting the area’s new identity. The popularity of the Port-à-l’Anglais bathing spot soared, even prompting the towns of Ivry and Vitry to reach an agreement in 1922. Ivry provided an annual subsidy to Vitry, covering the bathing area’s operational costs, including sand, lifeguards, and maintenance. It’s fascinating to think that this street, now seemingly far from its lively past, once bustled with the energy of Parisians enjoying the simple pleasures of sun, sand, and swimming. Alas, like all good things, this era ended. Rapid industrial growth led to severe pollution of the Seine, making it unsafe for swimming. The final nail in the coffin came with the construction of the municipal swimming pool in 1962. By 1965, even schoolchildren from Ivry had stopped frequenting the Port-à-l’Anglais. The bathing area closed shortly after. Today, Rue de la Baignade stands as a quiet reminder of a bygone era, when the allure of the Seine’s cool waters drew crowds seeking a taste of summer paradise, right here in the heart of the city.
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.