Do you know that Henri IV planned a grand square in the Marais district? It would be called Place de France. Several streets would converge on it. Each street would bear the name of a French province. We are now on one of those streets. This is the Rue du Perche.
Welcome to the Rue du Perche. This street is in Paris’s 3rd arrondissement. It lies within the historic Marais quarter. It’s a relatively short street. Rue du Perche is only about 105 meters long. It offers a glimpse into Parisian history.
Rue du Perche owes its existence to a 17th-century real estate developer. His name was Charlot. Charlot opened up this street in 1626. It became officially known as Rue du Perche by 1636.
Let me tell you about a famous resident of Rue du Perche. Madame Scarron lived here for four years. She later became the Marquise de Maintenon. Before finding fortune, she resided at 7 bis Rue du Perche after lodging with the Hospitalières de la Charité-Notre-Dame, on Rue des Tournelles.
Look closely at number 8 Rue du Perche. It is the site of the Hotel de Pomponne de Refuge. This building dates back to the 17th century. Its architecture whispers tales of bygone eras.
At number 13 Rue du Perche, you will see the Armenian Catholic Cathedral. This is the Église Saint-Jean-François. It was once the chapel of a Capuchin monastery. The monastery vanished during the Revolution. Victor Baltard reconstructed the church’s porch in 1855.
Inside the church, admire two notable statues. One is Saint Francis of Assisi by Germain Pilon. It dates from the late 16th century. The other is Saint Denis by Jacques Sarrazin. It dates from the early 17th century.
The Rue du Perche is accessible via several metro stations. These include Filles du Calvaire, Arts et Métiers and Temple. These stations connect this historic street. They also connect it to the rest of Paris.
Today, the Rue du Perche remains a charming street. It gives us a view into Parisian history. Its buildings and stories echo through time. It is a testament to the city’s rich heritage. Take a moment to absorb the ambiance of this unique Parisian street.