Rue des Anguilles

“Imagine a street so narrow, it feels like you could reach out and touch both sides.” Rue des Anguilles, here in Paris, is a testament to a time gone by. A time before grand boulevards, a time before Haussmann’s sweeping renovations. This little lane, tucked away in the heart of the city, whispers tales of old Paris. Its name, Rue des Anguilles, translates to “Street of Eels.” A peculiar name for a street, wouldn’t you agree? It speaks to a time when this bustling metropolis was but a humble fishing village. A time when the Seine teemed with eels, a staple food of the early Parisians. In those days, Rue des Anguilles likely bustled with merchants and fishermen, their wares displayed for all to see. The air, thick with the scent of salt and river water, would have painted a scene vastly different from the Paris we know today. Sadly, Rue des Anguilles itself is no more. Swallowed by the relentless march of progress, it vanished around 1854, absorbed into the grand scheme of Haussmann’s vision for Paris. Yet, standing here, amidst the grandeur of the modern city, we can almost hear the echoes of those bygone days. A reminder that even in the heart of a metropolis, traces of the past linger, waiting to be discovered.