How did a humble path become Rue Gaillon? Stand here before its entrance. Imagine the ruelle Michaut-Riegnaut of 1495. A narrow lane it was named for a cart driver’s large house and garden. Rue Gaillon’s history stretches back centuries. This unassuming street in the 2nd arrondissement holds a remarkable story. Its name is linked to the Hôtel Gaillon. This grand hotel no longer stands. It was replaced by the impressive Église Saint-Roch.
The street’s evolution is fascinating. It once extended from Rue Saint-Honoré to Porte Gaillon. This gate stood near the current Boulevard des Italiens. Imagine the bustle of 17th-century Paris. The Porte Gaillon was demolished in 1700. A portion of Rue Gaillon was removed. The street then ended at Rue Neuve-Saint-Augustin. A section between Rue Saint-Honoré and Rue Neuve-des-Petits-Champs was renamed Rue de Lorges. Then it became Rue Neuve-Saint-Roch because of its proximity to the church.
Rue Gaillon has seen many transformations. During the French Revolution it was even called Rue de la Montagne. Number 8 once housed Franz Reichelt. This tailor designed a parachute suit. He tested it in the courtyard. Sadly he died testing it from the Eiffel Tower. At number 18 stands the renowned restaurant Drouant. In the 1850s the butcher Flesselle would parade a Mardi Gras ox through the streets before turning it into steaks.
Even ordinary residents of Rue Gaillon left their mark. Claude Douet a general farmer lived here. He contributed to the 1762 edition of La Fontaine’s Fables. Rue Gaillon isn’t just a street. It’s a living tapestry. Its threads are woven with tales of grandeur and tragedy. Everyday lives and historic events. It is a Parisian street brimming with untold stories. Each building each cobblestone whispers of the past. As you walk this street feel the weight of history beneath your feet.