Hidden amidst the Parisian suburbs lies Rue des Rabats in Antony. Its name a whisper from the past. It speaks of a time long before the modern city surrounded it. Rue des Rabats wasn’t always called that.
Originally it was known as a place called Les Rabats. This was further divided into Les Hauts-Rabats Les Bas-Rabats and Les Vieux-Rabats. These names suggest a history of perhaps farmsteads or scattered settlements. A quiet life before the rush of urban development.
After the First World War a significant renaming occurred. In May 1919 the municipal council decided to rename it Rue des Poilus. This honored the soldiers nicknamed Poilus who fought in the Great War. This decision however didn’t last long.
Protests from residents ensued perhaps fearing disrespectful jokes. The name was a sensitive one. So a compromise happened. For a time both names appeared on street signs. A dual identity for the street. A moment of reflection before the final decision.
In the end Rue des Rabats reclaimed its original name. On October 21 1929 the municipal assembly reversed the decision. The original name returned to the street signs. The name Rue des Rabats remained. A testament to the enduring power of place names. A reminder that even in the face of change some things remain.
The street now stands as a quiet link to the past. A reminder of the history of Antony and its people. A place to pause reflect and imagine the lives lived here.
Today Rue des Rabats connects Avenue Armand-Guillebaud and Avenue de la Division-Leclerc. It intersects Rue de l’Aurore. A quiet place in the suburbs a short distance from the Chemin d’Antony train station. Nearby lies the Parc du Bois de l’Aurore offering a peaceful green space.
The history of Rue des Rabats is a story of change compromise and ultimately of enduring identity. A small street in Antony. Its name a reflection of its past. Its present a quiet neighborhood in suburban Paris. Its story a window into the history of the area.