Rue de la Charronnerie

This Rue de la Charronnerie. It’s more than just a street in Saint-Denis. It’s a journey back in time, to a world of craftsmen and bustling workshops. The name itself, Rue de la Charronnerie, whispers tales of its past. “Charron” means “wheelwright” in French. This street, my friends, was once the heart of Saint-Denis’s wheelwright industry. Imagine the clang of hammers, the scent of wood and iron. This was where carts and carriages were made, essential for the daily life of the town. The Rue de la Charronnerie has existed since at least the 16th century. It even predates its current name, once known as the “Voie Publique de l’Estrée” in 1270. Our street follows the path of the ancient Roman road, the “cardo,” which ran north-south. Some historians believe that Rue de la Charronnerie, when extended by Rue Catulienne, leads to the burial place of Saint Denis himself. He was a 3rd-century bishop martyred by the Romans. Legend has it that a Gallo-Roman woman named Catulla laid him to rest near here. In the 19th century, some even claimed to have seen remnants of his tomb at the junction of these two streets. While the tomb’s existence remains a mystery, the Rue de la Charronnerie stands as a testament to the enduring passage of time. It’s a quiet reminder of the craftsmen who once toiled here, their legacy echoing through the centuries.