“Did she really buy this school just by selling her fields?” whispered a surprised voice. Right here on Rue des Closeaux, a determined Louise Michel’s mother invested in her daughter’s future in 1865. She bought a day school business, changing the course of history. This seemingly ordinary street in Montmartre was once much longer, extending all the way to Rue Championnet. The name, Rue des Closeaux, is actually a twisted echo of the old French word “claye”. Imagine a time when grills were used to control access points. This name reminds us of those very grills! Today, as you walk along, you’ll notice Square Léon Serpollet. This square pays tribute to the visionary who, at number 27, constructed his first steam-powered tricycle, a precursor to the automobiles we see today. But Rue des Closeaux holds more than just whispers of the past. During World War II, at number 17, a beacon of hope emerged from the shadows. A clandestine Communist resistance printworks operated here. It was within these very walls that the first issue of “France d’abord” was born. This news sheet, a voice for the Communist-founded resistance movement FTP, became a symbol of defiance against oppression. So as you stroll down Rue des Closeaux, remember, you’re walking through history, resilience, and the spirit of innovation.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.