“Is that really the last one?” That’s what many ask about the calvary of Rue de l’Évangile. Today we explore the Rue de l’Évangile. This Parisian street holds more secrets than you might think. The Rue de l’Évangile is located in the 18th arrondissement. It stretches 910 meters long. Its width spans 18 meters.
The street’s name comes from the Croix de l’Évangile. This cross marks the junction of two old paths. One path became Rue de l’Évangile. The other became Rue d’Aubervilliers. The cross still stands as a pilgrimage site. It is the last remaining crossroads cross in Paris.
Back in 1540 the Croix de l’Évangile was cited. It was a landmark between Saint-Denis La Chapelle and La Villette. A major procession happened every year. It went between Saint-Denis the cross and La Villette. The cross became a key place for locals.
Almost all Parisian crosses were destroyed during the Revolution in 1789. However the Croix de l’Évangile was rebuilt in 1860. The statue you see today dates back to this restoration.
Rue de l’Évangile’s history involves old routes. One section was named Chemin de la Flache in 1655. Later it was called Rue de la Flache in 1704. Flache meant a muddy watery place. Another section was known as Chemin de la Croix de l’Évangile. This referred to the cross at the intersection.
In 1775 this path had a grim discovery. The bodies of a man and woman were found. They had suffocated in the muddy ditches lining the road.
The Rue de l’Évangile was officially created in 1868. It merged the old Rue d’Aubervilliers and Chemin de la Croix de l’Évangile.
During World War I tragedy struck. In 1918 a bomb from a German plane hit number 35 Rue de l’Évangile.
Gazometers once lined the street in the 20th century. These disappeared in 1978. They were replaced by the CAP 18 industrial zone. Today Cap 18 is the last industrial zone within Paris.
The street has inspired artists and writers. Marcel Aymé described the street in his work. Jules Romains and Alexandre Arnoux also featured it in their novels. Marcel Carné even recreated the street for his film Les Portes de la Nuit.
Today the Rue de l’Évangile is near a future urban park. It is called Parc Chapelle-Charbon. This park will transform a former railway area.
Near Place Hébert the street runs alongside railway tracks. These tracks belong to Gare de l’Est. They cross Rue d’Aubervilliers via a bridge.
The Rue de l’Évangile offers green spaces too. Squares like Marc-Seguin Madone Évangile and Paul-Robin are nearby.
Murals add art to the street. Daniel Solnon created a mural at number 5 Place de Torcy in 1989. It shows people looking at hieroglyphs. Hortense Damiron painted elephants on a nearby building. Bernard Quesniaux created a serpentine design on number 11. Additionally the artist Invader has placed one of his mosaics here.
So as you wander along Rue de l’Évangile remember its layers of history. From pilgrimage route to artistic muse this street has many stories.