Hidden within the 20th arrondissement of Paris lies Rue des Plâtrières. Its unassuming name belies a fascinating history. This isn’t just any street. Rue des Plâtrières is a pathway to the past a whisper of Paris’s industrial heritage.
For centuries the area surrounding Rue des Plâtrières was known for its plaster quarries. Ménilmontant was rich in gypsum. This provided the raw material for the plaster so crucial in construction. The street’s name itself Rue des Plâtrières means literally “Street of Plaster.” It’s a direct link to the area’s historical occupation. This street led directly to these quarries. Imagine the carts laden with plaster rumbling along this very road. The dust of creation the scent of earth and stone.
Before its current name Rue des Plâtrières had other identities. It was once known as Impasse des Carrières. Later it was Rue des Carrières. These earlier names reflect its function a passageway to the quarries. The name change to Rue des Plâtrières happened in 1877. This formalization marked the street’s place in Parisian history.
But Rue des Plâtrières holds more than just industrial echoes. Number 14 was once home to Etienne Saumon. He was a taxidermist. He lived there between 1909 and 1913. This seemingly small detail paints a vivid picture of life on the street. The quiet work of a taxidermist a contrast to the bustling activity of the quarries’ past.
Rue des Plâtrières is short. It only measures 175 meters long and 9 meters wide. Yet it is a microcosm of Paris’s evolution. From industrial hub to quiet residential street Rue des Plâtrières’ story is written in its name and its residents. It is a testament to the layers of history hidden within the city’s seemingly ordinary streets. So take a moment reflect on the journey this small street has taken. Embrace the legacy of Rue des Plâtrières.