What if I told you that a street’s name is linked to mischievous spirits and riverbanks? This is the story of Rue des Berges-Hennequines. This Parisian street holds a secret in its very name. It is a private road in Paris’s 14th arrondissement. Let’s explore its origins.
Rue des Berges-Hennequines begins at 22 Avenue de la Sibelle. It ends at 12 Rue de l’Empereur-Julien. It is a small street. It is only 48 meters long and 15 meters wide.
The street’s name has an interesting origin. It comes from an old place called “les Berges hennequines”. The word “hennequin” refers to will-o’-the-wisps or ignis fatuus. These are ghostly lights. They sometimes appear over marshy areas. The “berges” part of the name refers to the banks of the Bièvre River. The Bièvre is a tributary of the Seine. So, Rue des Berges-Hennequines is named after the riverbanks where these mysterious lights were seen.
Rue des Berges-Hennequines was created as part of the ZAC Alésia-Montsouris development. It was originally called “voie AM/14”. The street received its current name by municipal decree in 2001. It was then opened to public traffic by decree.
While Rue des Berges-Hennequines itself may be small, its name connects it to local folklore. Imagine the banks of the Bièvre. See the flickering lights dancing above the water. This gives the street a unique charm. It reminds us of the history hidden within Paris. So next time you are here on Rue des Berges-Hennequines take a moment. Think about the will-o’-the-wisps. Remember the river that once flowed nearby.