Doesn’t the name Rue de Provence conjure up images of sun-drenched lavender fields? The name evokes the South of France. But this street’s story is rooted firmly in Parisian history. It is connected to a king and a hidden waterway.
The Rue de Provence stretches across the 8th and 9th arrondissements. It runs for 1,193 meters from Rue du Faubourg Montmartre to Rue de Rome. However, only a small section sits in the 8th arrondissement.
Time to travel back to the 18th century. Paris was growing and a little river became a problem. The Ruisseau de Menilmontant transformed into the Grand Egout. This two-meter wide sewer was not ideal.
In 1770, banker Jean-Joseph de Laborde got permission to build here. He would cover the Grand Egout with the Rue de Provence. The street was set to be 30 feet wide. This was confirmed later by ministry decisions.
Now, about that name. The street isn’t named after the Provence region. It honors Louis-Stanislas-Xavier. He was the Comte de Provence. He later became King Louis XVIII of France in 1814. So, a royal connection!
In 1884, the Rue de Provence expanded. It absorbed the Rue Saint-Nicolas-d’Antin. This extended the street further west. Today, three metro stations serve the Rue de Provence. These are Le Peletier, Havre-Caumartin and Trinité-d’Estienne d’Orves. Getting here is easy.
Let’s explore some notable places along the Rue de Provence. At number 22, you will find a former mansion. Samuel Bing transformed it into an Art Nouveau space in 1895. Later, Louis Majorelle used it as an exposition room. Today, it is a post office that still keeps its exterior decoration. Isn’t that great?
Number 32 is a rare building. It was built in the late 1790s. Imagine what it has witnessed.
At number 34, the door is special. It is the only piece left of the Hôtel Thellusson. Claude-Nicolas Ledoux built it in 1778. It was made for the widow of Swiss banker Georges-Tobie de Thellusson. The hotel’s opening featured a huge triumphal arch. Sadly, the hotel was destroyed when the Rue Laffitte was extended.
Number 122 has a scandalous past. It was once home to the One-Two-Two. This was one of Paris’s most famous luxury brothels.
Finally, there is number 126. Henri Sauvage and Charles Sarrazin constructed this building in 1911. It was for the French decorator Louis Majorelle.
Did you know that Berlioz lived here? The flat at 41 Rue de Provence was rented by Marie Recio. Berlioz lived there with her from 1844 to 1847. He wrote the cantata Chant des chemins de fer during this time. He also completed The Damnation of Faust.
The Rue de Provence offers a blend of history, architecture, and even a bit of scandal. Next time you are asked what is special about Rue de Provence, you can share its secrets.