Rue de l’Ourcq

Did the gentle murmur of the Canal de l’Ourcq whisper the name of Rue de l’Ourcq into existence? This street, stretching 1,450 meters through the 19th arrondissement, owes its name to the nearby canal. Rue de l’Ourcq isn’t just a street. It’s a bridge between past and present, connecting the bustling Avenue Jean-Jaurès to the historic Rue d’Aubervilliers. It crosses not only the Canal de l’Ourcq, but also Avenue de Flandre, Rue Curial, and Rue de Crimée. In fact, Rue de l’Ourcq and Rue de Crimée share a unique distinction. They are the only two streets that traverse the canal. Imagine Paris in 1837. Rue de l’Ourcq, then a series of separate pathways, began to take shape. One section, known as “Rue Royale,” ran between Rue d’Allemagne and Rue de Flandre. Another, “Rue Saint-Denis,” stretched from Rue de Flandre to Rue de Cambrai. The final portion, initially called “Chemin de Saint-Ouen” and later “Chemin de la Croix-de-l’Évangile,” connected Rue de Cambrai to Rue d’Aubervilliers. By 1863, these fragments were united under the single banner of “Rue de l’Ourcq.” Rue de l’Ourcq has witnessed history unfold. During World War I, the street bore the scars of war. On March 23, 1918, a shell launched by the German long-range gun known as “Big Bertha” exploded at number 29 Rue de l’Ourcq. A second shell struck number 85 later that year. Today, the street is a vibrant tapestry of life, home to both modern structures and echoes of the past. The modern Église Saint-Luc stands at number 80. The remnants of the Félix Potin factory, a prominent grocery chain in the early 20th century, can still be seen at the corner of Rue Archereau. Further down, at number 145, social housing occupies a former warehouse from the late 19th century. This warehouse once stored furniture for the Galeries Barbès department store, adding another layer to the rich history of Rue de l’Ourcq.