Rue des Ardennes

Did a shell really explode here?  We’re standing on Rue des Ardennes, a street that whispers tales of a Paris both familiar and forgotten. Rue des Ardennes stretches 410 meters through the 19th arrondissement, connecting Avenue Jean-Jaurès to the Quai de la Marne. It’s an unassuming street. But it holds a secret connection to a region far from the Parisian bustle: the Ardennes.  This forested area spanning France and Belgium seems a world away. Yet, the nearby Canal de l’Ourcq, a vital waterway, links these two distinct landscapes. This connection inspired the street’s name, a constant reminder of the goods and resources flowing into Paris.  Rue des Ardennes wasn’t always known by this name. In the 1730s, it appeared on Roussel’s map as a mere path. Later, it became part of “Rue de l’Église,” nestled within the former village of La Villette.  Today, the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris-La Villette occupies the building at 21-23 Rue des Ardennes. This area, once a quiet corner of La Villette, now buzzes with architectural innovation and research. But Rue des Ardennes also holds a darker memory from World War I. On March 23, 1918, a shell launched by the infamous “Grosse Bertha” exploded at number 24. This event, a stark reminder of the war’s reach, forever marked this otherwise peaceful street. So, as you stroll along Rue des Ardennes, remember it is more than just a street. It’s a thread woven through history, connecting distant regions and echoing with both the quiet flow of commerce and the startling sounds of war.