Hidden within the 20th arrondissement lies Rue de la Plaine. It’s a quiet street. Its name speaks of its location in the Plaine de Charonne. This plain was once a rural area. A far cry from the bustling Paris of today.
Rue de la Plaine. Its history stretches back to 1812. A time when it existed as a simple rural path. The cadastral plan shows this. The decree of a later date added it to the Parisian road system. This wasn’t the street’s only name. A prefectural order suggested the name Rue Benoït-Malon. This name change never officially took place.
The street’s current length is 607 meters. Its width is a modest 10 meters. Imagine walking its length. You’d pass buildings. Some old some new. The street ends at the intersection with Rue des Pyrénées. This wasn’t always the case. Before 2018 the street continued. The extension of the Lucie-Faure school changed this. A passage now connects Rue Philidor to Rue des Pyrénées. It runs through the Le Garance building. A strong gate closes off this passage.
Rue de la Plaine. More than just a street. It’s a thread. A thread woven into the fabric of Parisian history. A quiet witness to the city’s growth. The transition from rural path to urban road. A place where history and modernity intertwine. It’s a story waiting to be discovered. Step onto Rue de la Plaine and feel the past beneath your feet.