Imagine yourself walking down a quiet street in Paris. It is Rue de Morsang. There is a sense of history here, yet you are miles from the famous tourist landmarks of this ancient city. In many ways, a street like this shows the true nature of Paris. If you want to learn about the city’s past, you have to come off the beaten path.
Rue de Morsang is actually named after a nearby city, Morsang-sur-Orge. It is located just a short distance away, south of Paris. In fact, the street itself is a kind of link between these two towns. Morsang-sur-Orge is a fascinating place steeped in history, with evidence of human life dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period. Archeologists have found evidence of Roman life as well as a 13th-century church dedicated to Saint Jean. However, the true story of the region begins in 987, the year Hugues Capet bestowed Morsang-sur-Orge upon the Abbey of Saint-Magloire.
It is from this year that the street we stand on today inherits its historical significance. It is a place, therefore, not of grand monuments but of quiet contemplation, of imagining the lives of those who walked before and who lived out their days in the nearby city. Imagine the life of a peasant farmer working the land on the route to Corbeil. Or picture the noble lord of the manor riding from his chateau to the nearby city. All of these images are connected to this little street.
Rue de Morsang is, therefore, a reminder that there are other ways to experience the magic of Paris, and to find the history of this remarkable city. So, take a deep breath and enjoy this moment of peace and quiet as you explore this hidden gem in the heart of Paris.