Whispers of mischief linger here. We stand before the Rue des Mauvais Garçons a street with a name that translates to Street of Bad Boys. Its history is a tangled web of legends and facts. A place where Parisian life unfolded for centuries.
This narrow street in the 4th arrondissement. It’s located in the historic Marais district. Its existence dates back to the 13th century. In the 16th century it was known as Rue Chartron. But the name Rue des Mauvais Garçons stuck. It hints at the rowdy characters who once called this place home.
Several stories explain the street’s infamous name. One theory involves butcher boys. They lived here during the 15th century. Their boisterous behavior earned the street its reputation. Another legend connects it to the reign of Francis I. During his captivity in 1525. Italian and French bandits roamed Paris causing havoc. They were called “mauvais garçons” bad boys. Thus the street’s name.
The Rue des Mauvais Garçons had a length of 33 meters. It began at 44 rue de Rivoli. It ended at 1-7 rue de la Verrerie. Imagine its bustling past. The street was once longer. Extending all the way to rue de la Tisseranderie. It even led to the old Saint-Jean cemetery. A decree in 1854 declared the street’s partial demolition. This was to make way for the construction of the rue de Rivoli. The street we see today is a remnant of its former self.
The actress Rachel Félix lived here. This was in the 1830s before she found fame. The writer Charles-Louis Philippe resided at number 8. This was in the Hôtel du Loiret from 1896 to 1899. He worked as a clerk at the 4th arrondissement town hall. Even the Dutch journalist Stefan de Vries stayed briefly at number 8 in 1998.
Rue des Mauvais Garçons holds secrets. It’s a place where history and legend intertwine. A street that whispers tales of boisterous butchers and infamous bandits. A street with a name that echoes through time. A street that has witnessed centuries of Parisian life. A place where the past continues to resonate in the present.