Have you ever walked a street steeped in history? Rue des Gardinoux in Aubervilliers whispers tales of old. It’s a street on the edge of Saint-Denis a place where history and industry intertwine.
Rue des Gardinoux boasts a rich past. Its name recalls an old place called “Gardinou” meaning little gardens. This appears on a 1707 map by engraver Charles Inselin. The street’s path was already there. Even earlier a “chemin des Gardinoux” existed in 1648.
Imagine the scene in 1841. The first factory in the Plaine Saint-Denis opens. It’s a horse slaughterhouse for the city of Paris. It’s located right here on Rue des Gardinoux. This area becomes the heart of Aubervilliers’ industry. An octroi a toll booth stood between Rue des Gardinoux and Rue du Pilier.
In 1874 Aubervilliers’ municipal council decided to classify the chemin des Gardinoux. They made it an urban road. They set its width at twelve meters. By 1872 the street was paved. It must have been a significant improvement for the residents.
The Société Générale de Fonderie a foundry company established a depot here in 1955. This added to the industrial activity along Rue des Gardinoux. Its presence further shaped the character of this historic street.
Interestingly the Front Populaire metro station on line 12 was initially called Proudhon-Gardinoux. This reflects the proximity of Rue Proudhon and Rue des Gardinoux. The area’s history is indelibly linked to the development of the Parisian metro system.
Finally there’s the Golden Triangle. This area between Rue de la Haie-Coq Rue des Gardinoux and Avenue Victor-Hugo is remarkable. It was Europe’s first textile import-export platform. This cemented the area’s place in the European economy. Rue des Gardinoux is more than just a street. It’s a living testament to Aubervilliers’ past. It’s a place where history breathes life into the present.