Hidden in plain sight lies the Rue des Longues-Raies. A seemingly ordinary Parisian street. Its history however is anything but.
This unassuming lane in the 13th arrondissement holds a story stretching back to the construction of the Petite Ceinture railway line. Before its current name it was known as the Rue des Glacières. A name hinting at its past. Perhaps ice houses once stood here? Their chill a stark contrast to the bustling city that now surrounds it.
The Rue des Longues-Raies took its present name in 1877. This was after the completion of the railway. Its length 330 meters. Its width a modest 12 meters. This relatively short street boasts a significant history. It was once longer. Its western end extended beyond Rue Cacheux. It was closed off in 1900. This closure created an impasse. Then it was reopened in 2012.
The name Longues-Raies itself is intriguing. It refers to an old place name. What were these long stripes? Were they fields? Were they perhaps the long shadows cast by the railway line?
Close by stand the last vestiges of the Thiers wall. Specifically at the Poterne des Peupliers. A silent witness to the city’s evolution. These fortifications remind us that the seemingly modern Rue des Longues-Raies has ancient roots. Imagine the lives that have unfolded along this street. From the echoes of its past as Rue des Glacières to its present-day existence. This street has witnessed the rise and fall of empires. It has weathered countless storms. Yet it stands. A testament to time’s enduring presence.
The Rue des Longues-Raies is more than just a street. It is a living history book. It tells the story of Paris’s growth and change. The street’s transformation reflects the city itself. It holds its secrets quietly. Yet it waits for those willing to listen. Those who pause to hear its story. So next time you find yourself in the 13th arrondissement. Take a moment to explore the Rue des Longues-Raies. Let its quiet charm surprise you. Uncover the intriguing story hidden within its seemingly ordinary façade.