The Rue de la Fontaine du But, or as it was once called, the Rue de la Fontaine du Buc. A name that tells a story of a simpler time, a time before the bustle of modern Paris. The street is nestled in the 18th arrondissement, a quiet, charming corner of the city where the past and present meet. Its name, however, speaks of a long-forgotten spring, a source of life in the former commune of Montmartre. A story of a bygone era of Paris, where the water flowed freely and the air was filled with the sound of nature. Imagine, a fountain, not just a simple spout, but a well of water that provided for the thirsty residents of the surrounding area. There was the old “abreuvoir,” a watering trough for animals, where horses would drink and rest in the shadow of the Buttes-Chaumont. Even the name itself whispers of a simpler time. The word ‘But,’ in Old French, means “goal” or “aim,” perhaps hinting that the spring was at the upper end of the hill, the pinnacle of Montmartre. The Fontaine du But may be gone, but the street that bears its name whispers a tale of its rich history.
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.